Today in News History

On June 24, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1812, Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon's Grande Armée crosses the Neman river beginning the invasion of Russia. In 1908, Alfons Rebane, Estonian colonel (died 1976) was born. In 1931, Otto Mears, Russian-American businessman (born 1840) passed away. In 1932, Ernst Põdder, Estonian general (born 1879) passed away. In 1950, Mercedes Lackey, American author was born. In 1961, Ralph E. Reed, Jr., American journalist and activist was born. In 1975, Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 encounters severe wind shear and crashes on final approach to New York's JFK Airport killing 113 of the 124 passengers on board, making it the deadliest U.S. plane crash at the time. This accident led to decades of research into downburst and microburst phenomena and their effects on aircraft. In 1994, A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashes at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington, killing four. In 2012, Ann C. Scales, American lawyer, educator, and activist (born 1952) passed away. In 2013, James Martin, English-Bermudian computer scientist and author (born 1933) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.