Today in News History

On July 9, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1386, The Old Swiss Confederacy makes great strides in establishing control over its territory by soundly defeating the Duchy of Austria in the Battle of Sempach. In 1816, Argentina declares independence from Spain. In 1889, Léo Dandurand, American-Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and referee (died 1964) was born. In 1943, World War II: The Allied invasion of Sicily begins, leading to the downfall of Mussolini and forcing Hitler to break off the Battle of Kursk. In 1944, World War II: Continuation War: Finland wins the Battle of Tali-Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in northern Europe. The Red Army withdraws its troops from Ihantala and digs into a defensive position, thus ending the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk Offensive. In 1954, Théophile Abega, Cameroonian footballer and politician (died 2012) was born. In 1956, The 7.7 Mw Amorgos earthquake shakes the Cyclades island group in the Aegean Sea with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). The shaking and the destructive tsunami that followed left fifty-three people dead. A damaging M7.2 aftershock occurred minutes after the mainshock. In 1977, The Pinochet dictatorship in Chile organises the youth event of Acto de Chacarillas, a ritualised act reminiscent of Francoist Spain. In 2011, A rally takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to call for fairer elections in the country. In 2022, John Gwynne, English reporter and commentator (born 1945) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.