Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1620, English crown bans tobacco growing in England, giving the Virginia Company a monopoly in exchange for tax of one shilling per pound. In 1897, Fulgence Charpentier, Canadian journalist and publisher (died 2001) was born. In 1918, Gene La Rocque, U.S admiral (died 2016) was born. In 1918, Francis W. Nye, United States Air Force major general (died 2019) was born. In 1927, The Bird of Paradise, a U.S. Army Air Corps Fokker tri-motor, completes the first transpacific flight, from the mainland United States to Hawaii. In 1946, Egon von Fürstenberg, Swiss fashion designer (died 2004) was born. In 1955, Charles J. Precourt, American colonel, pilot, and astronaut was born. In 2002, Naval clashes between South Korea and North Korea lead to the death of six South Korean sailors and sinking of a North Korean vessel. In 2007, Apple Inc. releases its first mobile phone, the iPhone. In 2007, Joel Siegel, American journalist and critic (born 1943) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.