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 1959, Nikos Stavropoulos, Greek basketball player and coach was born. In 1963, A day after South Vietnamese President Ngô Đình Diệm announced the Joint Communiqué to end the Buddhist crisis, a riot involving around 2,000 people breaks out. One person is killed. In 1967, Eric Stefani, American keyboard player and composer was born. In 1967, Nuclear weapons testing: China announces a successful test of its first thermonuclear weapon. In 1985, Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab and first Muslim in space, as a payload specialist. In 1987, Kendrick Lamar, American rapper 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 1997, KJ Apa, New Zealand actor was born. In 2012, Stéphane Brosse, French mountaineer (born 1971) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.