What’s Happening Today?

World Rainforest Day. Tropical rainforests have an outsized role in the world, containing the highest concentration of species, storing more carbon on average than any other terrestrial ecosystem, and supporting most of the planet’s “uncontacted” peoples. Despite their importance however, deforestation in the world’s tropical forests has remained persistently high since the 1980s. Primary tropical forests have been destroyed at a rate of 3.2 million hectares a year since 2002. WRD is celebrated to draw attention to such issues.

Anti-Fascist Struggle Day. This is a national holiday in Croatia. It is celebrated on June 22, as it marks the events that happened in World War II, the beginning of the uprising of Croatian anti-fascist Partisans against the German-Italian installed fascist puppet state Independent State of Croatia, along with German and Italian occupying forces, that started with the forming of the First Sisak Partisan Detachment on June 22, 1941, near Sisak, Croatia.

What Happened Today?

1.    In 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught fire in Cleveland, Ohio, drawing national attention to water pollution, and spurring the passing of the Clean Water Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

2.    In 1986, the famous Hand of God goal, was scored by Diego Maradona in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England, igniting controversy. This was later followed by the Goal of the Century. Argentina won 2–1 and later went on to win the World Cup.

3.    In 2009, a Washington D.C Metro train traveling southbound near Fort Totten station collided with another train waiting to enter the station. Nine people were killed in the collision (eight passengers and the train operator) and at least 80 others are injured.

Birthdays

1.     In 1947, Jerry Rawlings, Ghanaian lieutenant, politician, and former President of Ghana was born.

2.    In 1953, Cyndi Lauper, American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress was born.

Sources: Wikipedia & checkiday

Image: Youtube