Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1242, Following the Disputation of Paris, twenty-four carriage loads of Jewish religious manuscripts were burnt in Paris. In 1579, Sir Francis Drake claims a land he calls Nova Albion (modern California) for England. In 1898, Joe McKelvey, Executed Irish republican (died 1922) was born. In 1909, Elmer L. Andersen, American businessman and politician, 30th Governor of Minnesota (died 2004) was born. In 1929, The town of Murchison, New Zealand is rocked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killing 17. At the time it was New Zealand's worst natural disaster. In 1948, Aurelio López, Mexican baseball player and politician (died 1992) was born. In 1991, Apartheid: The South African Parliament repeals the Population Registration Act which required racial classification of all South Africans at birth. In 2012, Rodney King, American victim of police brutality (born 1965) passed away. In 2013, James Holshouser, American politician, 68th Governor of North Carolina (born 1934) passed away. In 2015, Ron Clarke, Australian runner and politician, Mayor of the Gold Coast (born 1937) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.