June 3: Historic Climb of El Capitan and Notable Events
Today in History: June 3, record climb up Yosemite’s El Capitan documented in ‘Free Solo’

Image: Boulder Daily Camera
On June 3, 2017, Alex Honnold achieved a historic solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, documented in the film 'Free Solo.' This day also marks various historical events, including the last great auk specimens killed in 1844 and the start of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989.
- 01Alex Honnold became the first climber to ascend El Capitan without ropes on June 3, 2017.
- 02The last great auk specimens were killed on Eldey island, Iceland, in 1844.
- 03The poem 'Casey at the Bat' was published for the first time in 1888.
- 04The Zoot Suit Riots began in Los Angeles in 1943, resulting in over 150 injuries.
- 05In 1989, Chinese troops entered Tiananmen Square to suppress pro-democracy protests.
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On June 3, 2017, elite rock climber Alex Honnold made history by becoming the first person to solo climb El Capitan, a massive granite wall in Yosemite National Park, without the use of ropes or safety gear. This remarkable achievement was captured in the documentary film 'Free Solo.' The date is also significant for several historical events: in 1844, the last known great auks were killed on Eldey island, near Iceland; in 1888, the famous poem 'Casey at the Bat' was published in the San Francisco Daily Examiner; and in 1989, the Chinese government initiated a violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, leading to widespread casualties. Other notable occurrences include the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles in 1943, which saw violent clashes between U.S. Navy sailors and Mexican Americans, and the maiden voyage record set by the SS Normandie in 1935. Today also marks the birthdays of several notable individuals, including former Cuban President Raúl Castro and tennis star Rafael Nadal.
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