Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1775, American Revolutionary War: Colonists inflict heavy casualties on British forces while losing the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1876, American Indian Wars: Battle of the Rosebud: One thousand five hundred Sioux and Cheyenne led by Crazy Horse beat back General George Crook's forces at Rosebud Creek in Montana Territory. In 1881, Tommy Burns, Canadian boxer and promoter (died 1955) was born. In 1898, Joe McKelvey, Executed Irish republican (died 1922) was born. In 1929, Bud Collins, American journalist and sportscaster (died 2016) was born. In 1932, John Murtha, American colonel and politician (died 2010) was born. In 1933, Harry Browne, American soldier and politician (died 2006) was born. In 1933, Union Station massacre: In Kansas City, Missouri, four FBI agents and captured fugitive Frank Nash are gunned down by gangsters attempting to free Nash. In 1939, Last public guillotining in France: Eugen Weidmann, a convicted murderer, is executed in Versailles outside the Saint-Pierre prison. 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. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.