Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—June 3: The Dutch West India Company Receives a Charter Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated June 1, 2026 •History The Dutch East India Company might be best known today for introducing tea to Europe—and for the later Boston brouhaha (emphasis on brew) that resulted—but for the Netherlands in the 1600s, it was proof that a corporation could help build an empire. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on June 3, or any other day of the year? Sign up to receive...

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