Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1858, Abraham Lincoln delivers his House Divided speech in Springfield, Illinois. In 1955, In a futile effort to topple Argentine President Juan Perón, rogue aircraft pilots of the Argentine Navy drop several bombs upon an unarmed crowd demonstrating in favor of Perón in Buenos Aires, killing 364 and injuring at least 800. At the same time on the ground, some soldiers attempt to stage a coup but are suppressed by loyal forces. In 1971, Tupac Shakur, American rapper and producer (died 1996) was born. In 1981, US President Ronald Reagan awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Ken Taylor, Canada's former ambassador to Iran, for helping six Americans escape from Iran during the hostage crisis of 1979-81; he is the first foreign citizen bestowed the honor. In 1995, The Astronomy Picture of the Day website is launched. In 1999, Justin Jefferson, American football player was born. In 1999, Screaming Lord Sutch, English singer and activist (born 1940) passed away. In 2013, A multi-day cloudburst, centered on the North Indian state of Uttarakhand, causes devastating floods and landslides, becoming the country's worst natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami. In 2015, American businessman Donald Trump announces his campaign to run for President of the United States in the upcoming election. In 2015, Charles Correa, Indian architect and urban planner (born 1930) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.