Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1858, Eben Sumner Draper, American businessman and politician, 44th Governor of Massachusetts (died 1914) was born. In 1920, Jacob H. Gilbert, American lawyer and politician (died 1981) was born. In 1959, Nikos Stavropoulos, Greek basketball player and coach 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 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, Nick Rimando, American soccer player was born. In 1982, Stefan Hodgetts, English racing driver was born. In 1994, Following a televised low-speed highway chase, O. J. Simpson is arrested for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. In 2013, James Holshouser, American politician, 68th Governor of North Carolina (born 1934) passed away. In 2015, Ron Clarke, Australian runner and politician, Mayor of the Gold Coast (born 1937) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.