On this day: June 25

Raytheon Sells the First Commercial Microwave Oven

On June 25, 1947, Raytheon began selling the Radarange, the first commercially available microwave oven, marking a shift from radar lab equipment to a new appliance that would transform cooking habits over subsequent decades.

Congressional Hearings Expose Covert Arms-for-Hostages Network

On June 25, 1987, televised congressional hearings revealed that senior U.S. officials had authorized secret arms shipments to Iran and diverted proceeds to Contra rebels in Nicaragua, sparking a scandal over covert foreign policy and executive accountability.

Russia Completes Withdrawal of Troops from Former East Germany

On June 25, 1994, Russia formally ended its military presence in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic, concluding a withdrawal that began after German reunification and the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Early 20th-Century Cities Adopt First Modern Fire Safety Codes

On June 25, 1904, municipal authorities were among the first to adopt systematic, modern fire safety codes—regulations standardizing building materials, exits, and firefighting requirements—to reduce urban conflagrations that had devastated 19th-century cities.

Supreme Court Rules School Prayer Unconstitutional

On June 25, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violated the Constitution’s Establishment Clause, removing organized prayer from official classroom activities.