Today in News History

On June 24, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1374, A sudden outbreak of St. John's Dance causes people in the streets of Aachen, Germany, to experience hallucinations and begin to jump and twitch uncontrollably until they collapse from exhaustion. In 1905, Fred Alderman, American sprinter (died 1998) was born. In 1918, Yong Nyuk Lin, Singaporean businessman and politician, Singaporean Minister for Education (died 2012) was born. In 1924, Yoshito Takamine, American politician (died 2015) was born. In 1945, George Pataki, American lawyer and politician, 53rd Governor of New York was born. In 1973, The UpStairs Lounge arson attack takes place at a gay bar located on the second floor of the three-story building at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, US. Thirty-two people die as a result of fire or smoke inhalation. In 1994, A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashes at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington, killing four. In 2002, The Igandu train disaster in Tanzania kills 281, the worst train accident in African history. In 2004, In New York, capital punishment is declared unconstitutional. In 2015, Mario Biaggi, American police officer, politician and criminal (born 1917) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.