Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1795, The burghers of Swellendam expel the Dutch East India Company magistrate and declare a republic. In 1797, Mohammad Khan Qajar, Persian tribal chief (born 1742) passed away. In 1918, Ajahn Chah, Thai monk and educator (died 1992) was born. In 1942, Mohamed ElBaradei, Egyptian politician, Vice President of Egypt, Nobel Prize laureate was born. In 1958, Sam Hamad, Syrian-Canadian academic and politician was born. In 1963, A day after South Vietnamese President Ngô Đình Diệm announced the Joint Communiqué to end the Buddhist crisis, a riot involving around 2,000 people breaks out. One person is killed. In 1966, Mohammed Ghazy Al-Akhras, Iraqi journalist and author was born. In 1975, Phiyada Akkraseranee, Thai actress and model was born. In 1985, Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab and first Muslim in space, as a payload specialist. In 2013, Atiqul Haque Chowdhury, Bangladeshi playwright and producer (born 1930) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.