Today in News History

On June 18, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 656, Ali becomes Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate. In 860, Byzantine-Rus' War: A fleet of about 200 Rus' vessels sails into the Bosphorus and starts pillaging the suburbs of the Byzantine capital Constantinople. In 1053, Battle of Civitate: Three thousand Norman horsemen of Count Humphrey rout the troops of Pope Leo IX. In 1391, Tokhtamysh-Timur war: Battle of the Kondurcha River: Timur defeats Tokhtamysh of the Golden Horde in present-day southeast Russia. In 1757, Battle of Kolín between Prussian forces under Frederick the Great and an Austrian army under the command of Field Marshal Count Leopold Joseph von Daun in the Seven Years' War. In 1940, Appeal of 18 June by Charles de Gaulle. In 1948, Britain, France and the United States announce that on June 21, the Deutsche Mark will be introduced in western Germany and West Berlin. Over the next six days, Communists increasingly restrict access to Berlin. In 1951, Mohammed Al-Sager, Kuwaiti journalist and politician was born. In 1964, Uday Hussein, Iraqi commander (died 2003) was born. In 1994, Takeoff, American rapper (died 2022) was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.