Today in News History

On June 20, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1180, First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan. In 1863, American Civil War: West Virginia is admitted as the 35th U.S. state. In 1956, A Venezuelan Super-Constellation crashes in the Atlantic Ocean off Asbury Park, New Jersey, killing 74 people. In 1959, A rare June hurricane strikes Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence killing 35. In 1960, The Mali Federation gains independence from France (it later splits into Mali and Senegal). In 1969, MaliVai Washington, American tennis player and sportscaster was born. In 1973, Snipers fire upon left-wing Peronists in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in what is known as the Ezeiza massacre. At least 13 are killed and more than 300 are injured. In 1975, The film Jaws is released in the United States, becoming the highest-grossing film of that time and starting the trend of films known as "summer blockbusters". In 1984, Hassan Adams, American basketball player was born. In 2019, Iran's Air Defense Forces shoot down an American surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions between the two countries. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.