Today in history

June 6

1798
Congress passes a bill abolishing debtor’s prisons in the United States.
1815
London Peace Society forms.
1936
First issue of Peace News published in England.

1966
James H. Meredith, the first African American ever to attend the University of Mississippi, was shot by a sniper in the back and legs while on a lone “March Against Fear.”
He was walking the 220 miles from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, to encourage others to stand up for their rights and respect, and to register to vote. Law enforcement officers and reporters following him witnessed the attack, and the shooter was arrested.

1968
Robert F. Kennedy, Attorney General, assassinated.

1968
Comedian Dick Gregory began a hunger strike in Olympia, Washington jail after his arrest with others at a fish-in, an act of civil disobedience in support of the fishing rights of the Nisqually Indian Tribe.

1971
40 Native Americans camp at sacred Black Hills site atop Mount Rushmore; 20 are arrested.