Today in News History

On June 24, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 972, Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces, takes place. In 1797, Paweł Edmund Strzelecki, Polish geologist and explorer (died 1873) was born. In 1856, Henry Chapman Mercer, American archaeologist and author (died 1930) was born. In 1885, Olaf Holtedahl, Norwegian geologist (died 1975) was born. In 1909, William Penney, Baron Penney, English mathematician and physicist (died 1991) was born. In 1924, Archie Roy, Scottish astronomer and academic (died 2012) was born. In 1938, Pieces of a meteorite land near Chicora, Pennsylvania. The meteorite is estimated to have weighed 450 metric tons when it hit the Earth's atmosphere and exploded. In 1947, Kenneth Arnold makes the first widely reported UFO sighting near Mount Rainier, Washington. In 1981, The Humber Bridge opens to traffic, connecting Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It remained the world's longest bridge span for 17 years. In 2001, Konstantin Gerchik, the second head of the world's first cosmodrome — "Baikonur" (1958-1961). passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.