Today in News History

On June 18, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1778, American Revolutionary War: The British Army abandons Philadelphia. In 1900, Vlasta Vraz, Czech-American relief worker, editor, and fundraiser (died 1989) was born. In 1935, Police in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, clash with striking longshoremen, resulting in a total of 60 injuries and 24 arrests. In 1953, A United States Air Force C-124 crashes and burns near Tachikawa, Japan, killing 129. 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 1994, The Troubles: Members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) attack a crowded pub with assault rifles in Loughinisland, Northern Ireland. Six Catholic civilians are killed and five wounded. It was crowded with people watching the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 2007, The Charleston Sofa Super Store fire happened in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine firefighters. In 2012, William Van Regenmorter, American businessman and politician (born 1939) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.