Today in News History

On June 16, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1760, French and Indian War: Robert Rogers and his Rangers surprise French held Fort Sainte Thérèse on the Richelieu River near Lake Champlain. The fort is raided and burned. In 1795, French Revolutionary Wars: In what became known as Cornwallis's Retreat, a British Royal Navy squadron led by Vice Admiral William Cornwallis strongly resists a much larger French Navy force and withdraws largely intact, setting up the French Navy defeat at the Battle of Groix six days later. In 1811, Survivors of an attack the previous day by Tla-o-qui-aht on board the Pacific Fur Company's ship Tonquin, intentionally detonate a powder magazine on the ship, destroying it and killing about 100 attackers. In 1815, Battle of Ligny and Battle of Quatre Bras, two days before the Battle of Waterloo. In 1824, A meeting at Old Slaughter's coffee house in London leads to the formation of what is now the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). In 1940, Māris Čaklais, Latvian poet, writer, and journalist (died 2003) was born. In 1946, John Astor, 3rd Baron Astor of Hever, English businessman and politician was born. In 1955, Artemy Troitsky, Russian journalist and critic was born. In 1955, Grete Faremo, Norwegian politician, Norwegian Minister of Defence was born. In 1963, Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.