Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1398, John II of Aragon and Navarre (died 1479) was born. In 1457, The Dutch city of Dordrecht is devastated by fire. In 1864, At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada's worst railway disaster after a train fails to stop for an open drawbridge and plunges into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec. In 1922, Ralph Burns, American songwriter, bandleader, composer, conductor, arranger and pianist (died 2001) was born. In 1924, Roy Walford, American pathologist and gerontologist (died 2004) was born. In 2002, Naval clashes between South Korea and North Korea lead to the death of six South Korean sailors and sinking of a North Korean vessel. In 2007, Joel Siegel, American journalist and critic (born 1943) passed away. In 2009, Joe Bowman, American, target shooter and boot-maker (born 1925) passed away. In 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. In 2014, The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant self-declares its caliphate in Syria and northern Iraq. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.