Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1833, Manuel González Flores, Mexican general and president (died 1893) was born. In 1888, Heinz Guderian, German general (died 1954) was born. In 1898, Joe McKelvey, Executed Irish republican (died 1922) was born. In 1932, John Murtha, American colonel and politician (died 2010) was born. In 1966, Mohammed Ghazy Al-Akhras, Iraqi journalist and author was born. In 1969, Paul Tergat, Kenyan runner 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, Interflug Flight 102 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Berlin Schönefeld Airport, killing 21 people. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.