Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1397, The Kalmar Union is formed under the rule of Margaret I of Denmark. In 1579, Sir Francis Drake claims a land he calls Nova Albion (modern California) for England. In 1789, In France, the Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly. In 1795, The burghers of Swellendam expel the Dutch East India Company magistrate and declare a republic. In 1843, The Wairau Affray, the first serious clash of arms between Māori and British settlers in the New Zealand Wars, takes place. In 1863, American Civil War: Battle of Aldie in the Gettysburg Campaign. In 1952, Guatemala passes Decree 900, ordering the redistribution of uncultivated land. In 1958, The Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, in the process of being built to connect Vancouver and North Vancouver (Canada), collapses into the Burrard Inlet killing 18 ironworkers and injuring others. In 1960, The Nez Perce tribe is awarded $4 million for 7 million acres (28,000 km2) of land undervalued at four cents/acre in the 1863 treaty. In 1991, Apartheid: The South African Parliament repeals the Population Registration Act which required racial classification of all South Africans at birth. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.