Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1579, Sir Francis Drake claims a land he calls Nova Albion (modern California) for England. In 1882, Adolphus Frederick VI, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (died 1918) was born. In 1885, The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor. In 1922, Portuguese naval aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral complete the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic. 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 1982, Stefan Hodgetts, English racing driver was born. In 1984, Si Tianfeng, Chinese race walker was born. In 2000, Ismail Mahomed, South African lawyer and jurist, 17th Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1931) passed away. In 2012, Stéphane Brosse, French mountaineer (born 1971) passed away. In 2021, Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden, to become the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.