Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1943, Newt Gingrich, American historian and politician, 58th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives was born. In 1947, Linda Chavez, American journalist and author was born. In 1966, Diane Modahl, English runner was born. In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon in a televised press conference called drug abuse "America's public enemy number one", starting the War on drugs. In 1971, Paulina Rubio, Mexican pop singer was born. In 1972, Watergate scandal: Five White House operatives are arrested for burgling the offices of the Democratic National Committee during an attempt by members of the administration of President Richard M. Nixon to illegally wiretap the political opposition as part of a broader campaign to subvert the democratic process. In 1979, Tyson Apostol, American television personality was born. In 1999, Elena Rybakina, Kazakhstani tennis player was born. In 2017, Baldwin Lonsdale, president of Vanuatu (born 1948) passed away. In 2020, Jean Kennedy Smith, American activist, humanitarian, author and diplomat (United States Ambassador to Ireland, 1993-1998) (born 1928) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.