Today in News History

On June 19, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1027, Romuald, Italian mystic and saint (born 951) passed away. In 1846, Antonio Abetti, Italian astronomer and academic (died 1928) was born. In 1854, Alfredo Catalani, Italian composer and academic (died 1893) was born. In 1861, José Rizal, Filipino journalist, author, and poet (died 1896) was born. In 1865, Evangelos Zappas, Greek-Romanian businessman and philanthropist (born 1800) passed away. In 1903, Benito Mussolini, at the time a radical Socialist, is arrested by Bern police for advocating a violent general strike. In 1985, Members of the Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers, dressed as Salvadoran soldiers, attack the Zona Rosa area of San Salvador. In 1987, Basque separatist group ETA commits one of its most violent attacks, in which a bomb is set off in a supermarket, Hipercor, killing 21 and injuring 45. In 2009, Mass riots involving over 10,000 people and 10,000 police officers break out in Shishou, China, over the dubious circumstances surrounding the death of a local chef. In 2010, Carlos Monsiváis, Mexican writer, journalist and political activist (born 1938) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.