Today in News History

On June 21, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1639, (O.S.) Increase Mather, American minister and author (died 1723) was born. In 1737, Matthieu Marais, French author, critic, and jurist (born 1664) passed away. In 1788, New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify the Constitution of the United States. In 1848, In the Wallachian Revolution, Ion Heliade Rădulescu and Christian Tell issue the Proclamation of Islaz and create a new republican government. In 1930, Gerald Kaufman, English journalist and politician, Shadow Foreign Secretary (died 2017) was born. In 1931, Margaret Heckler, American journalist, lawyer, and politician, 15th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (died 2018) was born. In 1943, Diane Marleau, Canadian accountant and politician, Canadian Minister of Health (died 2013) was born. In 1970, Penn Central declares Section 77 bankruptcy in what was the largest U.S. corporate bankruptcy to date. In 2000, Section 28 (of the Local Government Act 1988), outlawing the 'promotion' of homosexuality in the United Kingdom, is repealed in Scotland with a 99 to 17 vote. In 2004, SpaceShipOne becomes the first privately funded spaceplane to achieve spaceflight. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.