June 4th, 1989:

In Beijing, Chinese Army troops storm Tiananmen Square to crush a pro-democracy movement.

Hundreds, possibly thousands, are killed in the crackdown, damaging Communist China's reputation in the West.

1942:

A turning point during World War II in the Pacific, as the Battle of Midway begins.

That's where the U.S. Navy defeats the Japanese fleet, nearly six months after Pearl Harbor.

1896:

In Detroit, auto pioneer Henry Ford makes a successful pre-dawn test run of his first "horseless carriage" called a quadricycle.

1783:

In France, it's up, up, and away for the Montgolfier brothers, as they publicly demonstrate their hot-air balloon for the first time.

With no passengers on board, the balloon stays aloft for about ten minutes, landing about a mile-and-a-half away from where it took off.

And, 1984:

Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen releases his "Born in the U.S.A." album, producing seven hit singles.

Today in History, June 4th,______, The Associated Press.