ISRA Members: To view the Illinois Shooter - Spring 2026, click HERE.
Super Tidbit
In June of 1776, the clouds of war were gathering. Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" was still spreading like wildfire though the colonies.
On May 10, 1776,
the Continental Congress began meeting on how the American Colonies would break away from Great Britain. These patriots would become known as "The Founding Fathers". One has to remember the risks these people were taking. The punishment would be death. All personal wealth, land, and personal items would be taken from them. The Colonies were being taxed but had no representation in Parliament. Although the colonists protested, it was to no avail. King George and Parliament kept
pouring it on. The American colonists had enough.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the “Lee Resolution” to the Second Continental Congress which proposed breaking away from the British Empire, forming a confederation and making foreign alliances.
On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed "The Committee of Five" which consisted of John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. The job was to draft a formal Declaration to present to King George and Parliament. Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the official document.
On June 12, 1776, the Virginia Constitutional Convention adopts the Virginia Declaration of Rights which would eventually serve as a model for the Bill of Rights.
The countdown clock toward revolution was now ticking. In a few short weeks, the minute hand would strike midnight and the world would change forever.
Tidbits
June 4, 1942 – The Battle of Midway begins. The four day battle would
see the outnumbered U.S. fleet succeed in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers while only losing the Yorktown. It was the turning point of the war in the South Pacific. Aside from the four aircraft carriers, the Japanese also lost a cruiser, 292 aircraft and suffered an estimated 2500 casualties. The United States lost the aircraft carrier Yorktown, one destroyer, 145 aircraft and suffered 300 casualties.
June 5,
1944 – This was the original date for D-Day but, because of bad weather, it was postponed for 24 hours. At the end of that 24 hours, it had to be a go or it would have to wait for another month and the Germans and Americans knew that.
Nevertheless, bombers started bombing the gun emplacements. Radar jamming techniques were used to make the Germans believe that the convoy was on the move and going to try to capture the port of Cherbourg.
Dummy parachutists were dropped and took an entire German infantry regiment away from their position, 6 miles from the D-Day landing beaches.
June 5, 1956 – Elvis Presley rocks the Milton Berle show with his performance of “Hound Dog”. It was not Elvis' first television appearance. When he previously appeared, he sang mostly slow-moving ballads and was featured in close-ups. It was on this date that
Elvis let loose. His reviews were universally negative. It was here that he first was given the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis”.
June 6, 1918 – The Battle of Belleau Wood begins. General John J. Pershing sent down the U.S. Marines under the command of Lt. General James G. Harbord. The Marines and other allied forces lead the attack against four German divisions positioned in the
woods. For the next three weeks, it rained. The U.S. Army artillery launched many attacks toward the forward area as the German General Ludendorff kept bringing up more and more reinforcements from the rear. The Germans attacked with machine guns and artillery. In the end, The Marines and the allies prevailed.
June 6, 1933 – The first drive-in movie theater opens in Camden, New Jersey.
The original price of admission was $.25 per person and per car but no group would pay more than a dollar. The idea caught on and the largest drive-in movie theater, which opened in New York, had parking space for 2500 cars, a children's playground, and a full-service restaurant, all on 28 acres.
There are still about 500 active drive-in movie theaters in the United States.
June 6, 1944 – U.S.
troops begin the D-Day invasion. It is the largest amphibious invasion in history. Over 160,000 troops landed alone on the 50 mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline. More than 5000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion.
By day's end, the Allies had gained a foot hold and it was the beginning of the end of World War II in Europe.
June 7, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee of
Virginia introduces a resolution for independence into the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Sam Adams seconded the motion.
June 8, 793 – The first recorded Viking attack in Europe. This was only the first of many Norse raids on the English, Irish and Scottish coasts. Accounts of the time reported dreadful warnings, including “fiery dragons in the sky.”
June 8,
1998 – Actor Charlton Heston is elected President of the National Rifle Association.
June 10, 1775 – John Adams proposes a continental army. He also proposed that George Washington of Virginia be in command of those forces. That sounds like it might work out alright.
June 10, 1775 – The Continental Congress appointed the committee of Thomas
Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others to draft a declaration of independence.
Gun Shows
While the gun show information shown in this email is believed to be accurate, sometimes changes occur. This is provided for informational purposes only.
If your club or organization is holding a gun show, event or
class, let us know the details, and we’d be happy to post it in our Weekly Range Schedule.
June 19 – June 21, 2026 Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica, IL.
Sept. 19 – Sept. 20, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Sept. 19, 2026 National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show,
DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL.
Oct. 24 - 25, 2026 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.
Oct. 24 - 25, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Nov. 7 - 8, 2026 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Nov. 28 - 29, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County
Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Dec. 6 – Dec. 7, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
ISRA Town Hall Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment
Rights!
Livingston County – 4th Tuesday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Summer meetings are postponed until August.
Madison County – 1st Wednesday of the month – Piasa Armory, 625 Lewis and Clark Blvd., East Alton, IL; Doors open at 6:15pm; Meeting
starts at 6:30pm
Northwest Suburban - 3rd Tuesday of the month – Algonquin/Dundee area -
This meeting is temporarily canceled until further notice, a new location is being planned.
South Suburban/Cook County - 2nd Thursday of the month – New Location: Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant, 14459 LaGrange Rd, Orland Park, IL; Doors open 6:00pm; Meeting 7pm –
8pm
Will County - 3rd Wednesday of the month – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
