Today in News History

On June 20, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1005, Ali az-Zahir, Fatimid caliph of Egypt (died 1036) was born. In 1906, William Reid, Scottish mining engineer (died 1985) was born. In 1926, Rehavam Ze'evi, Israeli general and politician, 9th Israeli Minister of Tourism (died 2001) was born. In 1943, The Detroit race riot breaks out and continues for three more days. In 1946, André Watts, American pianist and educator (died 2023) was born. In 1959, A rare June hurricane strikes Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence killing 35. In 1973, Aeroméxico Flight 229 crashes on approach to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, killing all 27 people on board. In 1990, The 7.4 Mw Manjil-Rudbar earthquake affects northern Iran with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme), killing 35,000-50,000, and injuring 60,000-105,000. In 1994, The 1994 Imam Reza shrine bomb explosion in Iran leaves at least 25 dead and 70 to 300 injured. In 1996, Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-78 to conduct life science and microgravity research aboard the Spacelab module. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.