Today in News History

On June 18, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 618, Li Yuan becomes Emperor Gaozu of Tang, initiating three centuries of Tang dynasty rule over China. In 1839, William H. Seward Jr., American general and banker (died 1920) was born. In 1914, Efraín Huerta, Mexican poet (died 1982) was born. In 1937, Jay Rockefeller, American lawyer and politician, 29th Governor of West Virginia was born. In 1937, Bruce Trigger, Canadian archaeologist, anthropologist and historian (died 2006) was born. In 1948, Philip Jackson, English actor was born. In 1953, A United States Air Force C-124 crashes and burns near Tachikawa, Japan, killing 129. In 1954, Carlos Castillo Armas leads an invasion force across the Guatemalan border, setting in motion the 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état. In 1983, Mona Mahmudnizhad, together with nine other women of the Baháʼí Faith, is sentenced to death and hanged in Shiraz, Iran over her religious beliefs. In 2015, Allen Weinstein, American historian and academic (born 1937) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.