Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1839, John D. Rockefeller, American businessman and philanthropist, founded the Standard Oil Company (died 1937) was born. In 1908, Nelson Rockefeller, American businessman and politician, 41st Vice President of the United States (died 1979) was born. In 1918, Paul B. Fay, American businessman, soldier, and diplomat, 12th United States Secretary of the Navy (died 2009) was born. In 1948, Ruby Sales, American civil-rights activist was born. In 1962, Ne Win besieges and blows up the Rangoon University Student Union building to crush the Student Movement. In 1982, A failed assassination attempt against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein results in the Dujail Massacre over the next several months. In 1994, Kim Jong Il begins to assume supreme leadership of North Korea upon the death of his father, Kim Il Sung. In 1999, İpek Öz, Turkish tennis player was born. In 2007, Chandra Shekhar, Indian lawyer and politician, 9th Prime Minister of India (born 1927) passed away. In 2011, Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched in the final mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle program. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.