Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1843, The Wairau Affray, the first serious clash of arms between Māori and British settlers in the New Zealand Wars, takes place. 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 1942, Mohamed ElBaradei, Egyptian politician, Vice President of Egypt, Nobel Prize laureate was born. In 1942, Roger Steffens, American actor and producer was born. In 1961, Kōichi Yamadera, Japanese actor and singer was born. In 1966, Mohammed Ghazy Al-Akhras, Iraqi journalist and author was born. In 1981, Zerna Sharp, American author and educator (born 1889) passed away. In 1984, Si Tianfeng, Chinese race walker was born. In 1985, Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab and first Muslim in space, as a payload specialist. In 1992, A "joint understanding" agreement on arms reduction is signed by U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin (this would be later codified in START II). Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.