On June 30 in …

1559 — During a jousting match, a splinter of wood from the shattered lance of Count Gabriel de Lorges pierces the eye of King Henry II of France, mortally wounding him. From his deathbed, Henry absolves De Lorges of any blame.

1859 — French acrobat Charles Blondin crosses Niagara Falls on a tightrope.

1906 — The Congress of the United States passes the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.

1937 — The world’s first emergency telephone number, 999, is introduced in London.

1997 — The United Kingdom transfers sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China.

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