Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1914, John Hersey, American journalist and author (died 1993) was born. In 1922, John Amis, English journalist and critic (died 2013) was born. In 1932, Bonus Army: Around a thousand World War I veterans amass at the United States Capitol as the U.S. Senate considers a bill that would give them certain benefits. In 1940, George Akerlof, American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate was born. In 1947, Linda Chavez, American journalist and author was born. In 1948, United Airlines Flight 624, a Douglas DC-6, crashes near Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, killing all 43 people on board. In 1949, John Craven, English economist and academic was born. In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon in a televised press conference called drug abuse "America's public enemy number one", starting the War on drugs. In 1977, Mark Tauscher, American football player and sportscaster was born. In 1992, A "joint understanding" agreement on arms reduction is signed by U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin (this would be later codified in START II). Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.