Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1239, Edward I, English king (died 1307) was born. In 1673, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet reach the Mississippi River and become the first Europeans to make a detailed account of its course. In 1818, Charles Gounod, French composer and academic (died 1893) was born. In 1832, William Crookes, English chemist and physicist (died 1919) was born. In 1901, The College Board introduces its first standardized test, the forerunner to the SAT. In 1940, George Akerlof, American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate was born. In 1949, John Craven, English economist and academic was born. In 1959, Lawrence Haddad, South African-English economist and academic was born. In 1992, A "joint understanding" agreement on arms reduction is signed by U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin (this would be later codified in START II). In 2013, Michael Baigent, New Zealand-English theorist and author (born 1948) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.