Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1898, Harry Patch, English soldier and firefighter (died 2009) was born. In 1932, John Murtha, American colonel and politician (died 2010) was born. In 1943, Chantal Mouffe, Belgian theorist and author was born. In 1947, George S. Clinton, American composer and songwriter was born. In 1952, Guatemala passes Decree 900, ordering the redistribution of uncultivated land. In 1963, The United States Supreme Court rules 8-1 in Abington School District v. Schempp against requiring the reciting of Bible verses and the Lord's Prayer in public schools. 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 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 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 2001, Donald J. Cram, American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1919) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.