Today in News History

On June 19, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1833, Mary Tenney Gray, American editorial writer, club-woman, philanthropist, and suffragette (died 1904) was born. In 1914, Alan Cranston, American journalist and politician (died 2000) was born. In 1915, Julius Schwartz, American publisher and agent (died 2004) was born. In 1932, Sol Plaatje, South African journalist and activist (born 1876) passed away. In 1985, Members of the Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers, dressed as Salvadoran soldiers, attack the Zona Rosa area of San Salvador. In 1988, Pope John Paul II canonizes 117 Vietnamese Martyrs. In 1991, The last Soviet army units in Hungary are withdrawn. In 2009, Mass riots involving over 10,000 people and 10,000 police officers break out in Shishou, China, over the dubious circumstances surrounding the death of a local chef. In 2012, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange requests asylum in London's Ecuadorian Embassy for fear of extradition to the US after publication of previously classified documents including footage of civilian killings by the US army. In 2020, Animal rights advocate Regan Russell is run over and killed by a transport truck outside of a pig slaughterhouse in Burlington, Ontario. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.