Today in News History

On June 21, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1864, Heinrich Wölfflin, Swiss historian and critic (died 1945) was born. In 1864, American Civil War: The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road begins. In 1929, An agreement brokered by U.S. Ambassador Dwight Whitney Morrow ends the Cristero War in Mexico. In 1930, Gerald Kaufman, English journalist and politician, Shadow Foreign Secretary (died 2017) was born. In 1930, One-year conscription comes into force in France. In 1940, World War II: Italy begins an unsuccessful invasion of France. In 1942, World War II: A Japanese submarine surfaces near the Columbia River in Oregon, firing 17 shells at Fort Stevens in one of only a handful of attacks by Japan against the United States mainland. In 1942, Togo D. West Jr., American soldier, lawyer, and politician, 3rd United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (died 2018) was born. In 1945, World War II: The Battle of Okinawa ends when the organized resistance of Imperial Japanese Army forces collapses in the Mabuni area on the southern tip of the main island. In 2003, Leon Uris, American soldier and author (born 1924) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.