July 6: Kings, Kisses, and Running from Bulls

July 6 is a day of crowns, cantilevers, and the internationally sanctioned excuse to smooch a stranger. Let's dig into a date that somehow packs medieval coronations, viral streamers, and a festival where people voluntarily jog ahead of large angry animals.

Crowns and Cantilevers

In 1483, Richard III was crowned King of England, becoming the last monarch of the House of York and the Plantagenet dynasty. He'd later be immortalized by Shakespeare and, memorably, discovered under a parking lot centuries later — a reminder that even kings can end up in the worst parking spot imaginable.

Fast-forward to 1940, when the Story Bridge in Brisbane opened as the longest cantilever bridge in Australia. "Cantilever" is the kind of word that sounds fancy until you realize it basically means "very confidently sticking out into the air." Sir Leslie Wilson, Governor of Queensland, did the honors, presumably while everyone quietly hoped the engineers had done their sums.

Happy Birthday, You Absolute Legends

July 6 has produced some serious talent. Zion Williamson (2000) arrived to eventually make basketball backboards fear for their lives. Manny Machado (1992) showed up ready to swing bats for a living, and Jae Crowder (1990) joined the NBA birthday club to keep him company.

On the music front, Kate Nash (1987), the English singer-songwriter behind cheerfully sharp-tongued pop, shares the date with Sophie Auster (1987). And for the extremely online among us, Ludwig Ahgren (1995) — YouTuber, streamer, and marathon-broadcasting machine — was also born today, proving that greatness comes in many formats, some of which require a very good gaming chair.

Kisses, Bulls, and Independence

Today is International Kissing Day, informally observed and enthusiastically endorsed by anyone with chapstick and confidence. Consider it your annual reminder that a good smooch is free, requires no batteries, and rarely needs a tutorial.

It's also the first day of the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona, running through July 14 — home of the famous running of the bulls. It's a beloved tradition combining adrenaline, questionable footwear, and the timeless human urge to sprint away from something with horns. Somewhere out there, a bull is having the best cardio day of its life.

Meanwhile, both the Comoros (1975) and Malawi (1964) celebrate Independence Day, making July 6 a genuinely momentous date for freedom, festivity, and — thanks to Pamplona — fantastic sprinting form. Go celebrate accordingly, ideally without provoking any livestock.