Today in News History

On June 18, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1391, Tokhtamysh-Timur war: Battle of the Kondurcha River: Timur defeats Tokhtamysh of the Golden Horde in present-day southeast Russia. In 1918, Alf Francis, West Prussia-born, English motor racing mechanic and race car constructor (died 1983) was born. In 1936, Denny Hulme, New Zealand race car driver (died 1992) was born. 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 1967, Beat Fehr, Swiss race car driver (born 1942) passed away. In 1972, Staines air disaster: One hundred eighteen people are killed when a BEA H.S. Trident crashes minutes after takeoff from London's Heathrow Airport. In 1980, Craig Mottram, Australian runner was born. In 1984, A major clash between about 5,000 police and a similar number of striking miners takes place at Orgreave, South Yorkshire, during the 1984-85 UK miners' strike. In 1994, Takeoff, American rapper (died 2022) was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.