Today in News History

On June 20, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1819, The U.S. vessel SS Savannah arrives at Liverpool, United Kingdom. It is the first steam-propelled vessel to cross the Atlantic, although most of the journey is made under sail. In 1918, George Lynch, American race car driver (died 1997) was born. In 1924, Chet Atkins, American guitarist and record producer (died 2001) was born. In 1925, Audie Murphy, American lieutenant and actor, Medal of Honor recipient (died 1971) was born. In 1941, Stephen Frears, English actor, director, and producer was born. In 1942, The Holocaust: Kazimierz Piechowski and three others, dressed as members of the SS-Totenkopfverbände, steal an SS staff car and escape from the Auschwitz concentration camp. In 1948, The Deutsche Mark is introduced in Western Allied-occupied Germany. The Soviet Military Administration in Germany responded by imposing the Berlin Blockade four days later. In 1952, Luigi Fagioli, Italian race car driver (born 1898) passed away. In 2011, RusAir Flight 9605 crashes in Besovets during approach to Petrozavodsk Airport, killing 47. In 2019, Iran's Air Defense Forces shoot down an American surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions between the two countries. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.