June 1
987. Hugh Capet is elected King of France, beginning the Capetian Dynasty which lasted until 1328 directly, and until the end of the French monarchy when collateral branches are included. As of 2009, Capetians are still the heads of state of Spain (King Juan Carlos I, a Bourbon, which is a branch of Capetians) and Luxembourg (Grand Duke Henri, House of Bourbon-Parma). Hugh Capet is also generally considered the founder of "Modern" France, as he moved his seat of governance to Paris and exerted control from there, which all subsequent French kings would do as well.
1215. Genghis Khan captures Beijing.
1495. Friar John Cor is recorded as the first known distiller of Scotch Whisky. The word Whisky is the English derivative of the Gaelic word "usquebaugh", which was shortened to "usky" over time. What does "usquebaugh" mean in Gaelic? Why "Water of Life" of course...
1812. President James Madison asks Congress to declare war on the United Kingdomm, beginning the ill-fated and utterly moronic War of 1812.
1974. The Heimlich Manuever is published in the journal
Emergency Medicine. Which mostly gives me the chance to post this link (Eddie Izzard):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MnurooA2tw
1980. Cable News Network (CNN) begins broadcasting.