Today in News History

On June 24, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1922, Richard Timberlake, American economist (died 2020) was born. In 1924, Kurt Furgler, Swiss politician, 70th President of the Swiss Confederation (died 2008) was born. In 1927, James B. Edwards, American dentist, soldier, and politician, 3rd United States Secretary of Energy (died 2014) was born. In 1948, Cold War: Start of the Berlin Blockade: The Soviet Union makes overland travel between West Germany and West Berlin impossible. In 1958, Reed Oliver, governor of Pohnpei State, Micronesia was born. In 1973, The UpStairs Lounge arson attack takes place at a gay bar located on the second floor of the three-story building at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, US. Thirty-two people die as a result of fire or smoke inhalation. In 1983, David Shillington, Australian rugby league player was born. In 1989, Jiang Zemin succeeds Zhao Ziyang to become the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. In 2009, Roméo LeBlanc, Canadian journalist and politician, 25th Governor General of Canada (born 1927) passed away. In 2021, The Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida suffers a sudden partial collapse, killing 98 people inside. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.