Today in News History

On June 18, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1913, Wilfred Gordon Bigelow, Canadian soldier and surgeon (died 2005) was born. In 1916, Max Immelmann, German lieutenant and pilot (born 1890) passed away. In 1918, Alf Francis, West Prussia-born, English motor racing mechanic and race car constructor (died 1983) was born. In 1920, The Troubles in Northern Ireland (1920-1922) begin with a week of sectarian violence in Derry. In 1935, Police in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, clash with striking longshoremen, resulting in a total of 60 injuries and 24 arrests. In 1972, Staines air disaster: One hundred eighteen people are killed when a BEA H.S. Trident crashes minutes after takeoff from London's Heathrow Airport. In 1982, Italian banker Roberto Calvi's body is discovered hanging beneath Blackfriars Bridge in London, England. In 1984, A major clash between about 5,000 police and a similar number of striking miners takes place at Orgreave, South Yorkshire, during the 1984-85 UK miners' strike. In 2007, The Charleston Sofa Super Store fire happened in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine firefighters. In 2013, Michael Hastings, American journalist and author (born 1980) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.