Today in World War II History—July 6, 1944

Princess Elizabeth with B-17G Rose of York of the US 306th Bombardment Group, Thurleigh, England, 6 July 1944 (US Army Air Forces photo)
75 Years Ago—July 6, 1944: A fire erupts in the Barnum & Bailey big top in Hartford, CT; 169 are killed, including 80 children.
King George VI and Princess Elizabeth visit US 306th Bomb Group at Thurleigh and christen B-17 Rose of York in honor of the princess’s 18th birthday. Read more: “The Royal Family in World War II.”
Future baseball star Lt. Jackie Robinson refuses to give up a bus seat at Camp Hood, TX; he is arrested, court-martialed, and later acquitted.