Today in News History

On June 17, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1922, John Amis, English journalist and critic (died 2013) was born. In 1929, Bud Collins, American journalist and sportscaster (died 2016) 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 1971, Mildred Fox, Irish politician was born. In 1979, Tyson Apostol, American television personality was born. In 1979, Young Maylay, American rapper, producer, and voice actor was born. In 1989, Interflug Flight 102 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Berlin Schönefeld Airport, killing 21 people. In 1991, Apartheid: The South African Parliament repeals the Population Registration Act which required racial classification of all South Africans at birth. In 2015, Nine people are killed in a mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2017, A series of wildfires in central Portugal kill at least 64 people and injure 204 others. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.