Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1462, Vlad the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II (The Night Attack at Târgovişte), forcing him to retreat from Wallachia. In 1773, Cúcuta, Colombia, is founded by Juana Rangel de Cuéllar. In 1833, Manuel González Flores, Mexican general and president (died 1893) was born. In 1915, Marcel Cadieux, Canadian civil servant and diplomat, Canadian Ambassador to the United States (died 1981) was born. In 1936, Vern Harper, Canadian tribal leader and activist (died 2018) was born. In 1952, Guatemala passes Decree 900, ordering the redistribution of uncultivated land. In 1958, The Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, in the process of being built to connect Vancouver and North Vancouver (Canada), collapses into the Burrard Inlet killing 18 ironworkers and injuring others. 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 2013, Pierre F. Côté, Canadian lawyer and civil servant (born 1927) passed away. In 2014, Éric Dewailly, Canadian epidemiologist and academic (born 1954) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.