Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1493, Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle, one of the best-documented early printed books, is published. In 1918, The Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kawachi blows up at Shunan, western Honshu, Japan, killing at least 621. In 1923, James E. Gunn, American science fiction author (died 2020) was born. In 1933, Donald E. Westlake, American author and screenwriter (died 2008) was born. 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 1977, Brock Lesnar, American mixed martial artist and wrestler was born. In 1979, Maya Kobayashi, Japanese journalist was born. In 1998, Arkady Ostashev, Soviet/Russian scientist and engineer (born 1925) passed away. 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 2010, Harvey Pekar, American author and critic (born 1939) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.