Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1775, American Revolutionary War: Colonists inflict heavy casualties on British forces while losing the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1858, Eben Sumner Draper, American businessman and politician, 44th Governor of Massachusetts (died 1914) was born. In 1861, American Civil War: Battle of Vienna, Virginia. In 1863, American Civil War: Battle of Aldie in the Gettysburg Campaign. In 1898, Harry Patch, English soldier and firefighter (died 2009) was born. In 1920, Peter Le Cheminant, English air marshal and politician, Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey (died 2018) was born. In 1930, U.S. President Herbert Hoover signs the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act into law. In 1932, Bonus Army: Around a thousand World War I veterans amass at the United States Capitol as the U.S. Senate considers a bill that would give them certain benefits. In 1932, John Murtha, American colonel and politician (died 2010) was born. In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon in a televised press conference called drug abuse "America's public enemy number one", starting the War on drugs. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.