Today in News History

On June 21, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1862, Damrong Rajanubhab, Thai historian and author (died 1943) was born. In 1864, American Civil War: The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road begins. In 1898, The United States captures Guam from Spain. The few warning shots fired by the U.S. naval vessels are misinterpreted as salutes by the Spanish garrison, which was unaware that the two nations were at war. In 1900, Boxer Rebellion: China formally declares war on the United States, Britain, Germany, France and Japan, as an edict issued from the Empress Dowager Cixi. In 1942, World War II: A Japanese submarine surfaces near the Columbia River in Oregon, firing 17 shells at Fort Stevens in one of only a handful of attacks by Japan against the United States mainland. In 1942, World War II: Tobruk falls to Italian and German forces; 33,000 Allied troops are taken prisoner. In 1945, World War II: The Battle of Okinawa ends when the organized resistance of Imperial Japanese Army forces collapses in the Mabuni area on the southern tip of the main island. In 1965, Yang Liwei, Chinese general, pilot, and astronaut was born. In 1967, Yingluck Shinawatra, Thai businesswoman and politician, 28th Prime Minister of Thailand was born. In 2014, Wong Ho Leng, Malaysian lawyer and politician (born 1959) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.