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1963: Kennedy gives 'I am a Berliner' speech
U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech in West Berlin today criticizing communism and the construction of the Berlin wall. The speech contained his famous quote, "Ich bin ein Berliner" - "I am a Berliner."
"They waved American Flags, rhythmically chanted 'Ken-ne-dy, Ken-ne-dy' and showered the president with confetti during his tour that included two stops at the Reds' anti refugee wall," reported The Modesto Bee and News-Herald on June 27, 1963. "Germans were particularly pleased by Kennedy's City Hall statement: 'All free men wherever they live are citizens of this city and therefore as a free man I am proud to say: Ich bin ein Berliner (I am a Berliner).'''
NOTE: Although newspapers at the time translated Kennedy's quote just as the president had intended, there has been some disagreement around what was actually said. There is a German pastry named a Berliner Pfannkuchen, also referred to as a Berliner. Because of this, some Americans believe that Kennedy may have made a language slip-up and really said, "I am a jelly doughnut."
1979: Muhammad Ali retires
Muhammad Ali, one of the most famous African American prize fighters in history, retired from boxing today. "Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, saying he's no longer willing 'to kill myself training for 15 rounds,' confirmed Tuesday that he sent a letter to the World Boxing Association resigning his title, effective immediately. 'Everybody gets old, you can't go on like years ago,' Ali said by telephone from his Los Angeles home," relayed The Frederick Post on June 27, 1979. NOTE: During his boxing career, Ali won the world heavyweight title three times over a 15-year span.
1974: First bar code reader scans chewing gum
The first retail product with a UPC bar code symbol was sold today. "Twenty-five years ago, on June 26, 1974, at 8:01 a.m. in a Marsh supermarket in Troy, Ohio, a consumer named Clyde Dawson purchased a package of Wrigley's chewing gum. And for the first time, a laser beam in an NCR checkout terminal 'read' a universal product code on the package and automatically rang up his purchase. It was the world's first bar code scanning in an actual supermarket. It was the beginning of a new era," reported the Syracuse Herald Journal on June 23, 1999. NOTE: When the UPC codes were first introduced in stores, some consumer groups saw it as a threat.
1948: Airlifts to Berlin begin
The Western Allies began airlifting food and other supplies into Berlin today. In an effort to force the Allies to abandon West Berlin, the Soviet Union had organized a land and water blockade around the city. An article on June 27, 1948 in The Charleston Daily Mail explained, "The Americans flew in powdered and canned milk and promised Army 'C' rations for civilians in the Russian siege of Berlin Saturday. A Flying Fortress brought medical supplies in the first of several such flights to bring in vitally needed goods to keep the city's economy going." NOTE: The blockade was lifted in May of 1949, but the airlifts continued through September.
1945: United Nations Charter is signed
The United Nations Charter, which established the international peace organization, was signed today in San Francisco. "With great issues of war and peace hanging on their pen strokes, delegates of 50 countries went to a flag-draped conference auditorium today to sign the new United Nations charter, and then hear President Truman make his first major address on American foreign policy. A triumphant meeting of the United Nations conference - its last working session - last night approved the final version of the charter," reported the Charleston Daily Mail on June 26, 1945.
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