Today in News History

On June 19, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1845, Cléophas Beausoleil, Canadian journalist and politician (died 1904) was born. In 1903, Benito Mussolini, at the time a radical Socialist, is arrested by Bern police for advocating a violent general strike. In 1914, Alan Cranston, American journalist and politician (died 2000) was born. In 1955, Mary Schapiro, American lawyer and politician was born. In 1984, Paul Dano, American actor was born. In 1985, Members of the Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers, dressed as Salvadoran soldiers, attack the Zona Rosa area of San Salvador. In 2001, Stanley Mosk, American lawyer, jurist, and politician (born 1912) passed away. In 2004, Clayton Kirkpatrick, journalist and newspaper editor (born 1915) passed away. In 2009, Mass riots involving over 10,000 people and 10,000 police officers break out in Shishou, China, over the dubious circumstances surrounding the death of a local chef. In 2012, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange requests asylum in London's Ecuadorian Embassy for fear of extradition to the US after publication of previously classified documents including footage of civilian killings by the US army. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.