Today in News History

On June 19, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1566, James VI and I of the United Kingdom (died 1625) was born. In 1947, Pan Am Flight 121 crashes in the Syrian Desert near Mayadin, Syria, killing 15 and injuring 21. In 1953, Cold War: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed at Sing Sing, in New York. In 1953, Julius Rosenberg, American spy (born 1918) passed away. In 1953, Ethel Rosenberg, American spy (born 1915) passed away. In 1982, The People's Armed Police is de facto founded; It is officially established 10 months later on April 5, 1983. In 1987, Aeroflot Flight N-528 crashes at Berdiansk Airport in present-day Ukraine, killing eight people. 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 2009, War in North-West Pakistan: The Pakistani Armed Forces open Operation Rah-e-Nijat against the Taliban and other Islamist rebels in the South Waziristan area of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. In 2012, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange requests asylum in London's Ecuadorian Embassy for fear of extradition to the US after publication of previously classified documents including footage of civilian killings by the US army. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.