Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1863, American Civil War: Battle of Aldie in the Gettysburg Campaign. In 1930, U.S. President Herbert Hoover signs the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act into law. In 1933, Union Station massacre: In Kansas City, Missouri, four FBI agents and captured fugitive Frank Nash are gunned down by gangsters attempting to free Nash. In 1947, Linda Chavez, American journalist and author was born. In 1958, Sam Hamad, Syrian-Canadian academic and politician was born. In 1958, Jon Leibowitz, American lawyer and politician was born. In 1966, Mohammed Ghazy Al-Akhras, Iraqi journalist and author was born. In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon in a televised press conference called drug abuse "America's public enemy number one", starting the War on drugs. 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). Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.