This Day in History: What Happened Today in History – 06 August

Every day has a history attached to it, but what happened on August 6? It seems like just another date until you look closely.

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb named Little Boy on Hiroshima, Japan. Tens of thousands died instantly, and many more later from injuries and radiation.

In 1806, Emperor Francis II abdicated, marking the end of the Holy Roman Empire, which had endured for nearly a thousand years. In 1825, Bolivia declared its independence from Spain. In 1926, Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

In 1962, Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom. In 1965, U.S. President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, a landmark civil rights law.

In 1991, the World Wide Web was made publicly available and began to reshape life around the globe. We'll examine these events and explore how August 6 connects to history, science, politics, and more.

What Happened on this Day – August 06?

Here's what happened in history on August 06:

1945 – Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima

• At 8:15 a.m., the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb "Little Boy" on the city of Hiroshima, Japan.
• Over 70,000 people were killed instantly. Many more died later from injuries and radiation exposure.
• It was the first time in history that a nuclear weapon was used in war.
• The bombing played a key role in Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

1965 – Voting Rights Act Signed

• U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act on August 6.
• The law banned racial discrimination in voting, including literacy tests and poll taxes.
• It was a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement and Black Americans.

1926 – Gertrude Ederle Swims the English Channel

• On her second attempt, 20-year-old Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
• She swam the 21-mile stretch from England to France in 14 hours and 34 minutes.
• Her achievement was a significant milestone for women in sports.

1996 – Scientists Claim Signs of Martian Life

• NASA and Stanford researchers announced possible evidence of life on Mars.
• They found what looked like fossilised microbes in a meteorite from Mars, found in Antarctica.
• The claim caused excitement but was later met with scepticism and debate.

1806 – The Holy Roman Empire Ends

• On August 6, Emperor Francis II gave up his title and dissolved the Holy Roman Empire.
• The empire had lasted for nearly 1,000 years.
• This marked a significant shift in European power and brought an end to centuries of rule.

1825 – Bolivia Declares Independence

• Bolivia officially declared independence from Spain on this day.
• It became a free republic after years of struggle during Latin America's independence movements.

1890 – First Execution by Electric Chair

• The first execution by electric chair took place at Auburn Prison, New York.
• William Kemmler, convicted of murdering his lover with an axe, was executed.
• The event marked the beginning of a new era in capital punishment methods.

1862 – Confederate Ironclad Destroyed

• They feared that its crew near Baton Rouge destroyed the Confederate ship CSS Arkansas.
• It suffered mechanical failures during a battle and could not escape.
• The ship had only been in operation for 23 days but was considered a serious threat.

1864 – General Sheridan Takes Command

• Union General Philip Sheridan received orders from General Ulysses S. Grant to command the Army of the Shenandoah.
• He was told to leave nothing behind that could aid the Confederacy.
• Sheridan would later lead major victories in the Shenandoah Valley.

1846 – Donner Party Faces Delay

• The Donner Party, heading west to California, received a warning that their route through the mountains was nearly impassable.
• The group had already faced delays and would later face tragedy in the Sierra Nevada.

1787 – First U.S. Constitution Draft Debated

• Delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia began debating the first full draft of the U.S. Constitution.
• It marked a turning point from the Articles of Confederation to a stronger federal government.

1930 – Judge Joseph Force Crater Disappears

• Judge Crater vanished in New York City near Times Square and was never seen again.
• His disappearance sparked national mystery headlines and an extensive investigation.
• He became known as “the missingest man in New York”.

1975 – Obituary for Fictional Detective Hercule Poirot

• The New York Times published a front-page obituary for Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous fictional detective.
• Christie had decided to kill him off in her next novel.
• It was one of the only times a fictional character received such an honour.

Which Famous Personalities Were Born and Died on August 06?

August 06 marks notable birthdays and deaths of influential figures throughout history, celebrating legacies in the arts, science, and sports.

Born on August 6

Lucille Ball (1911–1989)

• Star of the hit TV show “I Love Lucy”.
• Pioneering comedic actress and producer.
• Co-founded Desilu Studios, which later produced “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible”.

Andy Warhol (1928–1987)

• Famous American artist and filmmaker.
• Leader of the Pop Art movement.
• Known for iconic works like Campbell's Soup Cans and Marilyn Monroe portraits.

Michelle Yeoh (1962– )

• Malaysian actress known for roles in action and martial arts films.
• Starred in movies like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once”.
• First Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Died on August 6

1978 – Pope Paul VI (1897–1978)

• Pope Paul VI, head of the Catholic Church from 1963 to 1978, died at the age of 80.
• He led the Church through major reforms during and after the Second Vatican Council.

1998 – André Weil (1906–1998)

• French mathematician known for his work in number theory and algebraic geometry.
• Founder of the Bourbaki group, which redefined modern math foundations.

2012 – Marvin Hamlisch (1944–2012)

• American composer and conductor.
• Known for scoring films like “The Way We Were” and “The Sting".
• One of only a few artists to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT).