On This Day for June 1 - Debut of CNN, Morgan Freeman is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. June 01 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Morgan Freeman READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 1980 Debut of CNN READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2009: American comedian Conan O'Brien made his debut as host of the The Tonight Show, NBC 's long-running late-night talk show; however, he left after less than one year. [Sort fact from fiction in our pop culture quiz.] 2009: American motor-vehicle manufacturer General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; it soon emerged from the reorganization and in 2010 returned to the stock market with one of the largest IPOs in U.S. history. [Test your knowledge of American industry and innovation.] 2002: The Czech Republic became the first country to enact a law to address light pollution ; all outdoor fixtures were required to have a shield that prevented light from extending above the horizontal. [Watch an overview of light pollution.] 1958: Following the outbreak of an insurrection in Algiers, Charles de Gaulle came before the French National Assembly as prime minister designate. [ Test your knowledge of French history.] 1907: English aviation engineer and pilot Frank Whittle, who invented the jet engine, was born. [ How much do you know about the history of flight?] 1968: Blind and deaf American author Helen Keller died in Westport, Connecticut. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about famous Americans.] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1926 Marilyn Monroe American actress 1937 Morgan Freeman American actor 1974 Alanis Morissette Canadian musician 1973 Heidi Klum German American model and businesswoman 1926 Andy Griffith American actor 1953 David Berkowitz American serial killer SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY   Advertisement   FOLLOW: To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, click here. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2021 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Privacy Policy • Help