Something to Remember

February 23, 1945: During the bloody Battle for Iwo Jima, U.S. Marines from the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment of the 5th Division take the crest of Mount Suribachi—the island’s highest peak and most strategic position—and raise the U.S. flag. Marine photographer Louis Lowery, who was with them, recorded the event. Americans fighting for control of Suribachi’s slopes cheered the raising of the flag.

Several hours later, more Marines headed up to the crest with a larger flag. Joe Rosenthal, a photographer with the Associated Press, met them along the way and recorded the raising of the second flag along with a Marine still photographer and a motion-picture cameraman.

Iranian Missile Damages Oldest, Second Oldest Mosque In Haifa

Foreign Minister Gideo Sa'ar informed the public that the attack had injured the Muslim clerics who were in Al Jarina Mosque at the time.

Impact site following Iranian missile strike on downtown Haifa, next to the 300-year-old Zahir al-Umar Mosque, June 20 ,2025.
Impact site following Iranian missile strike on downtown Haifa, next to the 300-year-old Zahir al-Umar Mosque, June 20 ,2025.

An Iranian missile strike, which hit Haifa on Friday afternoon, damaged the city's oldest and second-oldest mosque as it struck Haifa's downtown.

The strike damaged the Masjid Al-Saghir, built in 1761 by Zahir al-Umar, and the Al Jarina Grand Mosque of Haifa, built in 1775 but enlarged by the Ottoman Empire in 1901.

President Isaac Herzog took to X to condemn the "outrageous attack" on "a city that stands as a symbol of coexistence between Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Circassians, and Bahá’ís."

"They try to kill Israelis of all faiths—Muslims included. We will defend all Israelis. All faiths included," he said.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused the Iranian regime of targeting the historic mosques and the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood. He informed the public that the attack had injured the Muslim clerics who were in Al Jarina Mosque at the time.

"The Iranian regime is targeting Muslim, Christian, and Jewish civilians, as well as civilian sites. These are war crimes," Sa'ar said.

The two mosques represent some of the oldest buildings in Haifa and date back to the founding of the modern city by the Ottoman governor of the Galilee, Zahir al-Umar, who is responsible for the rebuilding and fortifying multiple modern cities across the Galilee, including Haifa, Acre, Nazareth, Tiberias, and numerous smaller villages in the region.

* 1991: The German parliament moves to Berlin. Following Germany's reunification in 1990, the government and parliament relocated from Bonn to Berlin

June 20th 1975, The film Jaws premiered Steven Spielberg's thriller about a rogue great white shark became a cinematic phenomenon and is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time.

Today June 20th 1963, The "Red Telephone" (hotline) was instituted between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Established after the Cuban Missile Crisis, this direct communication link was designed to lessen the threat of accidental nuclear war.

In June 20th 1942, Kazimierz Piechowski and three others escape from Auschwitz concentration camp. In an extraordinary act of courage, these prisoners managed to escape in a stolen SS staff car, dressed as SS officers.

Today June 20th 1877, Alexander Graham Bell installs the world's first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Today 20th June 1863, West Virginia was admitted as the 35th U.S. state. This occurred during the American Civil War.

June 20th 1837:

Victoria becomes Queen of the United Kingdom. At the age of 18, Victoria ascended to the throne, beginning a reign of over 63 years that became known as the Victorian era, characterized by significant social, cultural, and industrial changes.

June 20th 1789:

The Tennis Court Oath During the French Revolution, deputies of the French Third Estate took an oath not to separate until a new constitution was established for France. This was a pivotal moment in the revolution.

June 20th 1782:

The U.S. Congress officially adopted the Great Seal of the United States of America. This iconic symbol, featuring an eagle with a shield, holding a ribbon that reads "E pluribus unum" (Out of many, one), has been used on official documents, currency, and government buildings ever since.