Today in News History

On June 22, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1926, Rachid Solh, Lebanese politician, 48th Prime Minister of Lebanon (died 2014) was born. In 1940, World War II: France is forced to sign the Second Compiègne armistice with Germany, in the same railroad car in which the Germans signed the Armistice in 1918. In 1941, World War II: Nazi Germany invades the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa. In 1944, World War II: Opening day of the Soviet Union's Operation Bagration against the Army Group Centre. In 1956, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistani agriculturist and politician, 25th Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs was born. In 1962, Air France Flight 117 crashes on approach to Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport in Guadeloupe, killing 112 people. In 1984, Virgin Atlantic launches with its first flight from London to Newark. In 1990, Cold War: Checkpoint Charlie is dismantled in Berlin. In 2000, Wuhan Airlines Flight 343 is struck by lightning and crashes into Wuhan's Hanyang District, killing 49 people. In 2012, A Turkish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter plane is shot down by the Syrian Armed Forces, killing both of the plane's pilots and worsening already-strained relations between Turkey and Syria. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.