Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1795, The burghers of Swellendam expel the Dutch East India Company magistrate and declare a republic. In 1885, The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor. In 1948, United Airlines Flight 624, a Douglas DC-6, crashes near Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, killing all 43 people on board. In 1952, Guatemala passes Decree 900, ordering the redistribution of uncultivated land. In 1958, The Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, in the process of being built to connect Vancouver and North Vancouver (Canada), collapses into the Burrard Inlet killing 18 ironworkers and injuring others. In 1966, Mohammed Ghazy Al-Akhras, Iraqi journalist and author was born. In 1982, Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, Brazilian footballer was born. In 1985, Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab and first Muslim in space, as a payload specialist. In 1989, Interflug Flight 102 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Berlin Schönefeld Airport, killing 21 people. In 1992, A "joint understanding" agreement on arms reduction is signed by U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin (this would be later codified in START II). Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.