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 1916, British diplomat turned Irish nationalist Roger Casement is sentenced to death for his part in the Easter Rising. In 1932, Brian Hutton, Baron Hutton, British jurist; Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (died 2020) was born. In 1933, John Bradshaw, American theologian and author (died 2016) was born. In 1972, The United States Supreme Court rules in the case Furman v. Georgia that arbitrary and inconsistent imposition of the death penalty violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. In 1972, A Convair CV-580 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter collide above Lake Winnebago near Appleton, Wisconsin, killing 13. In 1981, Shmuly Yanklowitz, American rabbi, author, and educator was born. In 2006, Hamdan v. Rumsfeld: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that President George W. Bush's plan to try Guantanamo Bay detainees in military tribunals violates U.S. and international law. In 2007, Apple Inc. releases its first mobile phone, the iPhone. In 2015, Hisham Barakat, Egyptian lawyer and judge (born 1950) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.