Today is the 173rd day of 2023 and the second day of summer.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1815, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated his throne for the second time.

In 1870, the U.S. Department of Justice was created.

In 1942, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the U.S. Flag Code.

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the GI Bill, providing benefits to veterans.

In 1945, the Battle for Okinawa ended in an Allied victory after 83 days of fighting.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001), aviator/author; Billy Wilder (1906-2002), director; Bill Blass (19222002), fashion designer; Kris Kristofferson (1936- ), singer/ actor; Ed Bradley (1941-2006), journalist; Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006), author; Meryl Streep (1949- ), actress; Bruce Campbell (1958- ), actor; Randy Couture (1963- ), mixed martial artist/actor; Amy Brenneman (1964- ), actress; Dan Brown (1964- ), author; Kurt Warner (1971- ), football player/broadcaster; Carson Daly (1973- ), TV personality; Dustin Johnson (1984- ), golfer.

TODAY’S FACT: The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in the September 1892 issue of The Youth’s Companion magazine, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1937, Joe Louis knocked out James Braddock in the eighth round, becoming the first African American heavyweight boxing champion since Jack Johnson in 1915.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “I have a huge and savage conscience that won’t let me get away with things.” -- Octavia E. Butler

TODAY’S NUMBER: 49 percentage of U.S. college students who were war veterans in 1947, marking the peak year of the GI Bill education program.

TODAY’S MOON: Between new moon (June 17) and first quarter moon (June 26).