World keeps on turning

“On June 18, 1815, at Waterloo in Belgium, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte of France suffers defeat at the hands of the Duke of Wellington, bringing an end to the Napoleonic era of European history.

“On June 13, 1939, Arthur “Doc” Barker, of the notorious “Bloody Barkers” gang, is killed while trying to escape from Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay. Barker was spotted on the rock-strewn shore of the island after climbing over the walls and shot while trying to build a makeshift raft.

“On June 14, 1954, at 10 a.m., alarms are sounded in 54 selected cities as the U.S. goes through its first nationwide civil defense drill. Citizens raced to get off the streets, seek shelter and prepare for nuclear onslaught. The event stood as a stark reminder that the United States — and the world — was now living under a nuclear shadow. It was estimated that more than 12 million Americans would die in an attack.

“On June 16, 1963, aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman to travel into space. After 48 orbits and 71 hours, she returned to Earth, having spent more time in space than all U.S. astronauts combined to that point.

“On June 12, 1975, Indira Gandhi, the prime minister of India, is found guilty of electoral corruption in her successful 1971 campaign. Despite calls for her resignation, Gandhi refused to give up India’s top office and later declared martial law in the country when public demonstrations threatened to topple her administration.

“On June 15, 1986, Richard Petty makes his 1,000th career NASCAR start at the Miller American 400 race in Brooklyn, Mich. Petty’s records of success and longevity will likely never be broken.

“On June 17, 1994, after a dramatic flight from justice witnessed by millions on live television, former football star and actor O.J. Simpson surrenders outside his Rockingham estate to Los Angeles police after being charged with a double murder.