Today in News History

On June 26, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1723, After a siege and bombardment by cannon, Baku surrenders to the Russians. In 1917, World War I: The American Expeditionary Forces begin to arrive in France. They will first enter combat in the Battle of Hamel on July 4. In 1940, World War II: Under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union presents an ultimatum to Romania requiring it to cede Bessarabia and the northern part of Bukovina. In 1941, World War II: Soviet planes bomb Kassa, Hungary (now Košice, Slovakia), giving Hungary the impetus to declare war the next day. In 1944, World War II: San Marino, a neutral state, is mistakenly bombed by the RAF based on faulty information, leading to 35 civilian deaths. In 1944, World War II: The Battle of Osuchy in Osuchy, Poland, one of the largest battles between Nazi Germany and Polish resistance forces, ends with the defeat of the latter. In 1945, The United Nations Charter is signed by 50 Allied nations in San Francisco, California. In 1948, Cold War: The first supply flights are made in response to the Berlin Blockade. In 1991, Yugoslav Wars: The Yugoslav People's Army begins the Ten-Day War in Slovenia. In 2015, Five different terrorist attacks in France, Tunisia, Somalia, Kuwait, and Syria occurred on what was dubbed Bloody Friday by international media. Upwards of 750 people were either killed or injured in these uncoordinated attacks. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.