Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1797, Mohammad Khan Qajar, Persian tribal chief (born 1742) passed away. In 1861, American Civil War: Battle of Vienna, Virginia. In 1900, Boxer Rebellion: Western Allied and Japanese forces capture the Taku Forts in Tianjin, China. 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 1942, Mohamed ElBaradei, Egyptian politician, Vice President of Egypt, Nobel Prize laureate was born. In 1958, Sam Hamad, Syrian-Canadian academic and politician was born. In 1966, Mohammed Ghazy Al-Akhras, Iraqi journalist and author was born. In 1967, Nuclear weapons testing: China announces a successful test of its first thermonuclear weapon. 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.