Today in History, June 20: West Virginia, Oil, and 'Jaws'

1837—King William IV of England dies of pneumonia. His niece, Victoria, would succeed him as the next ruler of England.

1863—West Virginia becomes the 35th state when, during the Civil War, it separates from seceded Virginia.

1900—The Boxer Rebellion starts as Chinese nationalists begin to fight against outside control of their country. A number of Westerners, including the German ambassador, are killed.

1975—Steven Spielberg's breakout film Jaws is released in the United States, at the time the highest-grossing movie in American history.

1977—After three years of construction, the Alaskan oil pipeline begins operation.