On June 30, 1908, a massive explosion flattened over 2,000 square kilometers of forest near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in Siberia, Russia. Known as the Tunguska event, it is believed to have been caused by the air burst of a small asteroid or comet, though no impact crater was found. The blast released energy equivalent to 10-15 megatons of TNT, according to NASA estimates.
In 1934, the Night of the Long Knives, a purge in Nazi Germany, began on June 30. Adolf Hitler ordered the arrest and execution of potential political rivals, including Ernst Röhm, leader of the SA. This event solidified Hitler's power within the Nazi Party.
On June 30, 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium. Patrice Lumumba became the first prime minister, but the country soon faced political turmoil and civil war.
In 1971, the crew of the Soviet Soyuz 11 spacecraft died during re-entry due to a cabin depressurization. The three cosmonauts—Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov, and Viktor Patsayev—were found dead in their capsule after landing.
More recently, on June 30, 2022, the European Union and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement aimed at boosting trade and addressing climate change. The deal eliminated tariffs on many goods and included commitments to sustainable development.
