Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1918, The Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kawachi blows up at Shunan, western Honshu, Japan, killing at least 621. In 1943, World War II: Battle of Kursk: German and Soviet forces engage in the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest armored engagements of all time. In 1961, Indian city Pune floods due to failure of the Khadakwasla and Panshet dams, killing at least two thousand people. In 1970, Lee Byung-hun, South Korean actor, singer, and dancer was born. In 1995, Chinese seismologists successfully predict the 1995 Myanmar-China earthquake, reducing the number of casualties to 11. In 1995, Jordyn Wieber, American gymnast was born. In 1998, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canadian basketball player was born. In 2001, Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-104, carrying the Quest Joint Airlock to the International Space Station. In 2007, U.S. Army Apache helicopters engage in airstrikes against armed insurgents in Baghdad, Iraq, where civilians are killed; footage from the cockpit is later leaked to the Internet. In 2024, Ruth Westheimer, German-American sex therapist (born 1928) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.