Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, will spend the next 17 years building her mausoleum, the Taj Mahal. In 1833, Manuel González Flores, Mexican general and president (died 1893) was born. In 1877, American Indian Wars: Battle of White Bird Canyon: The Nez Perce defeat the U.S. Cavalry at White Bird Canyon in the Idaho Territory. In 1900, Boxer Rebellion: Western Allied and Japanese forces capture the Taku Forts in Tianjin, China. In 1948, Aurelio López, Mexican baseball player and politician (died 1992) was born. In 1952, Guatemala passes Decree 900, ordering the redistribution of uncultivated land. In 1953, Juan Muñoz, Spanish sculptor and storyteller (died 2001) was born. In 1958, The Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, in the process of being built to connect Vancouver and North Vancouver (Canada), collapses into the Burrard Inlet killing 18 ironworkers and injuring others. In 1960, The Nez Perce tribe is awarded $4 million for 7 million acres (28,000 km2) of land undervalued at four cents/acre in the 1863 treaty. In 1982, Roberto Calvi, Italian banker (born 1920) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.