Today in News History

On June 19, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1909, Osamu Dazai, Japanese author (died 1948) was born. In 1910, Abe Fortas, American lawyer and jurist (died 1982) was born. In 1913, Natives Land Act, 1913 in South Africa implemented. In 1917, Joshua Nkomo, Zimbabwean guerrilla leader and politician, Vice President of Zimbabwe (died 1999) was born. In 1957, Subcomandante Marcos, Mexican insurgent and EZLN leader was born. In 1990, The current international law defending indigenous peoples, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989, is ratified for the first time by Norway. In 2001, Stanley Mosk, American lawyer, jurist, and politician (born 1912) passed away. 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 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 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.