Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1462, Vlad the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II (The Night Attack at Târgovişte), forcing him to retreat from Wallachia. In 1898, Joe McKelvey, Executed Irish republican (died 1922) was born. In 1933, Harry Browne, American soldier and politician (died 2006) was born. In 1943, Newt Gingrich, American historian and politician, 58th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives was born. In 1971, Mildred Fox, Irish politician was born. In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon in a televised press conference called drug abuse "America's public enemy number one", starting the War on drugs. In 1972, Watergate scandal: Five White House operatives are arrested for burgling the offices of the Democratic National Committee during an attempt by members of the administration of President Richard M. Nixon to illegally wiretap the political opposition as part of a broader campaign to subvert the democratic process. In 1979, Tyson Apostol, American television personality was born. In 1989, Simone Battle, American singer and actress (died 2014) was born. In 2013, James Holshouser, American politician, 68th Governor of North Carolina (born 1934) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.