🕰️ 5 Memorable Events That Happened on June 25
1876 – Custer’s Last Stand: Battle of the Little Bighorn
On June 25, 1876, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cavalry into a devastating defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana Territory. Facing a coalition of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, Custer’s forces were outnumbered and overwhelmed. The entire detachment of over 200 men under his direct command was killed.
Why it matters: This iconic clash became a symbol of Native American resistance during the U.S. westward expansion. It remains one of the most studied and mythologized battles in American history.
Interesting fact: Despite the victory, it marked the last major military win for Native Americans against U.S. forces.
1950 – Korean War Begins
On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel, launching a full-scale invasion of South Korea. The move ignited the Korean War, prompting immediate condemnation and military response from the United Nations, led by the United States.
Why it matters: The Korean War set the stage for Cold War military conflicts and shaped the geopolitics of East Asia. It led to the enduring division of Korea and created tensions that persist to this day.
Interesting fact: The war technically never ended—an armistice was signed in 1953, but no peace treaty has ever been concluded.
1951 – First Color TV Broadcast by CBS
On June 25, 1951, CBS aired the first commercial color television broadcast in the U.S., a one-hour special titled Premiere, shown to a limited audience in New York City.
Why it matters: This marked the beginning of a technological revolution in broadcasting, eventually transforming how Americans consumed media and entertainment.
Interesting fact: Only a few hundred people saw it live because color TVs were not yet commercially available.
1984 – Prince Releases Purple Rain
Prince’s iconic album Purple Rain was released on June 25, 1984. Accompanied by a semi-autobiographical film of the same name, the album went on to sell over 25 million copies and win an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.
Why it matters: The album solidified Prince’s place as a musical legend and helped redefine pop music by blending rock, funk, and R&B.
Interesting fact: The title track was recorded live at a benefit concert in 1983 and later remixed in studio for the final album version.
2009 – Michael Jackson Dies
On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” died at age 50 from acute propofol intoxication. His death shocked fans worldwide and triggered massive media coverage and tributes.
Why it matters: Jackson’s musical and cultural influence was unparalleled. His passing marked the end of an era and led to renewed conversations about fame, mental health, and the pressures of celebrity.
Interesting fact: In the hours following his death, websites like Twitter, Wikipedia, and Google News crashed from the volume of traffic.
