Today in News History

On June 24, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 843, The Vikings sack the French city of Nantes. In 1374, A sudden outbreak of St. John's Dance causes people in the streets of Aachen, Germany, to experience hallucinations and begin to jump and twitch uncontrollably until they collapse from exhaustion. In 1762, Battle of Wilhelmsthal: The British-Hanoverian army of Ferdinand of Brunswick defeats French forces in Westphalia. In 1795, Ernst Heinrich Weber, German physician and psychologist (died 1878) was born. In 1866, Battle of Custoza: An Austrian army defeats the Italian army during the Austro-Prussian War. In 1922, Walther Rathenau, German businessman and politician, 7th German Minister for Foreign Affairs (born 1867) passed away. In 1948, Cold War: Start of the Berlin Blockade: The Soviet Union makes overland travel between West Germany and West Berlin impossible. In 1969, Willy Ley, German-American historian and author (born 1906) passed away. In 1994, A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashes at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington, killing four. In 2002, The Igandu train disaster in Tanzania kills 281, the worst train accident in African history. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.