By What does Queen Elizabeth becoming queen, the birth of legendary baseball player Babe Ruth, and a failed train robbery have in common? They all happened on this day in history!
Over the centuries, February 6th has been a day marked with significant historical and cultural moments.
On February 6th, 1952, King George VI died peacefully. After his death, his oldest daughter Elizabeth — who was abroad in Kenya at the time of death — became queen. The royal family and the rest of England began preparations for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Her reign was marked with controversy, largely because of the public’s fondness for her daughter-in-law Princess Diana. Despite this, Queen Elizabeth was known as a public icon for her role and influence. She was beloved by many and had a profound influence on England’s history.
“Babe Ruth”
Beloved baseball player George Herman Ruth was born on February 6th, 1895. He had a rough early life, spending many years in a boy’s school for orphans and criminal youth. Despite all his challenges, Ruth was extremely talented at baseball. Throughout his incredible career, he went by many names: Babe Ruth, The Sultan of Swat, and The Bambino. Regardless of what he was called, Ruth transformed the world of American baseball. After pitching for the Red Sox, he was the star hitter of the Yankees. His career and legacy made him one of the first players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and one of the most beloved players in the history of the sport.
In the late 1800s, the Dalton Gang was a band of outlaw brothers who were immersed in the crime that was ever present in the post-civil war era. After stealing cattle and murdering a man, the Dalton brothers decided to branch out to train and bank robberies.
On February 6th, 1891, they attempted their first train robbery. It was a disaster! After seriously underestimating the fortitude of the train guard, the Dalton brothers ran away without any of the money they came for. Unfortunately, their success in train robberies never improved. A few years later the Dalton Gang was captured by law enforcement and executed.
Whether it be royalty, Ruth, or robberies, February 6th is a day with legacy and meaning.
