June: A Month of Milestones

The times are a changin’, and there’s no better time to honor those moments of change than in June. Over the course of America’s history, the month of June is filled with cultural changes, and some seasonal ones too. So just before the season changes and summer begins, take some time to visit these parks that commemorate extraordinary moments.

Explore the ever-changing night skies over White Sands National Monument, which includes spectacular views of shooting stars, planets, and constellations.

NPS Photo

June 3, 1965

Reaching for the Stars at White Sands National Monument

At about 120 miles over Earth’s surface, Major Edward H. White II decided to take a little stroll in space, becoming the first American to do so more than 50 years ago. On a 25-foot tether, he was able to accomplish the first of several stages of the Gemini space missions that later set the stage for the Apollo missions. Just to the north of White Sands National Monument lies White Sands Missile Range, which contains a training area for NASA space shuttle pilots, a test site for rocket research, and an alternative space shuttle landing location.

June 4, 1919

Paving the Path for Suffragists at Women’s Rights National Historical Park

In 1848, the First Women’s Rights Convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. Organized by just five women with ten days’ notice, they put in motion what would later become the first steps towards achieving suffrage. When Congress passed the 19th Amendment on June 4, 1919, women were finally equal in the eyes of the law with their ability to vote. Follow the state-by-state race to rafification in celebration of the centennial of the amendment on August 18, 2020.

June 5, 1968

Remembering a Dedicated Public Servant at John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site

Robert F. Kennedy, the brother of President John F. Kennedy, lived an extraordinary life of his own. While serving as his brother’s close confidant, he became a New York senator, served as attorney general, and ran for president himself in 1968. The nation mourned when Senator Kennedy was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, shortly after claiming victory in the California state primary in the 1968 presidential election. At his childhood home, learn about the family’s love of Boston creme pies and their famous campaign teas.

Several generations later, families are still affected by the changes they faced during World War II.

NPS Photo

June 6, 1944

Honoring Sacrifice at the World War II Memorial

After years of fighting, the Normandy landings signaled the turning of the tide of Allied Forces' momentum and hope for an end to the war following this costly victory. During the largest seaborne invasion in world history, more than 20,000 soldiers gave their lives in the days leading up to the Allied powers’ win of the Western Front. Veterans gathered and were remembered at the World War II Memorial for the 75 anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019.

June 7, 1913

Reaching the Summit at Denali National Park & Preserve

Climbing the 20,310 summit of then-named Mount McKinley is no easy feat, especially in 1913 when no one had done it before. But in mid-April of that year, four men began their journey having no idea what awaited them on Denali's National Park & Preserve and hop on a bus to explore the Denali Park Road.

June 10, 1752

Electrifying a Legend at Independence National Historical Park

We all know this story: Future founding father Benjamin Franklin flew a kite on this eventful day in 1752, and that’s when he “discovered” electricity. Little did the inventor know what the next 20 years would hold for him, but we today have the Ben Franklin Museum that shares stories of his life and his inventions.

June 12, 1963

Remembering a Legacy with Denali and Medgar Myrlie Home National Monument

Evers Medgar was a prominent Civil Rights activist who worked to end racial violence and helped establish the NAACP chapter of Mississippi in his own home. Learn more about Evers, his wife Evers, and their attempts to achieve equality. Congress authorized the Myrlie and Megdar Myrlie Home National Monument in Mississippi on March 12, 2019, although the site will not become an official unit of the Evers Park Service until land is acquired.

In the same spirit of exploration, a plush replica of a real dog on the Lewis & Clark Expedition joined a team of NASA astronauts on a voyage to space.

Courtesy of NASA

June 13, 1805

Creating the Path at Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a risky venture. President Jefferson had asked his close friend William Clark (and his friend, Meriwether Lewis) to explore the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. When the two finally reached Great Falls in present-day Montana, they realized their arduous journey from St. Louis would not go unfulfilled and marked the start of a two-year journey throughout the unknown territory.

June 14, 1846

Staging a Revolt at Golden Gate National Recreation Area

For 25 days in California’s history, it was known as the California Republic. During the 1840s, growing numbers of Americans settled Mexican-controlled California, causing friction that would be one of the factors leading to the US–American War. Known as the Bear Flag Revolt, a small group of American settlers rebelled against the Mexican government and rallied around a new flag adorned with a grizzly bear. The original flag was eventually destroyed in the San Francisco fire in 1906.

June 17, 1885

Building Liberty at Statue of Liberty National Monument

Don’t forget, the Statue of Liberty’s real name is Liberty Enlightening the World, and when it first came to New York, it truly did just that. Thousands of people, including poet Emma Lazarus, came to see the statue enter New York Harbor and were delighted to follow its status as it was built. Now you can see the finished edition by visiting the statue.

June 21, 1788

Framing a Nation at Independence National Historical Park

Returning to the same building where the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, state representatives met for the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to unify the young nation by creating a framework for government. After months of vigorous debate about what should be considered one’s personal rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, or how to add amendments, the nation had a defining document to guarantee basic rights for citizens leaving opportunities to change it throughout history.

The infamous 1969 Cuyahoga River Fire in Cleveland, Ohio, capped decades of fires on the river, like this one in 1952.

Courtesy of the Cleveland Press Collection

June 22, 1969

The Cuyahoga River Catches Fire—Again—Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park

How does a river catch fire not once but multiple times? That’s the case for the Cuyahoga River, which is now held as a symbol of environmental activism after a fire that started in nearby Cleveland found its way to the polluted, oil-filled waters of the river. The 1969 fire marked one of at least ten times the river caught fire, and it sparked a new wave (pun intended!) of environmental activism, eventually leading to legislation for the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Clean Water Act of 1972. Today Cuyahoga Valley National Park protects 22 miles of the river, which still faces challenges but continues to improve.

June 25, 1950

Never Forgetting Service at Korean War Veterans Memorial

Visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial helps us remember a conflict that is not as prominently remembered or discussed as other American wars. Studying the statues, as you look into the eyes of soldiers as they radio for help, the sentiment is loud and clear: the "Forgotten War" is anything but. On June 25, 1950, more 75,000 North Korean soldiers crossed the 38th Parallel and entered South Korea, sparking the beginning of the Korean War. After three years involving more than 20 countries, the fighting ended with the Korean Armistice Agreement of July 1953, forever changing the political landscape of that part of the world.

June 30, 1859

Being a Daredevil (from a Safe Distance!) at Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

Before the extreme sports athletes of today, there was a classic French tightrope walker that risked his life to wow a crowd with death-defying stunts. In 1859, daredevil Jean-Francois Gravelet traversed a tightrope 160 feet over Niagara Falls in front of 5,000 spectators. Luckily we can still catch the great views of the waterfalls today from a safe viewing point.