Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1898, The death of crime boss Soapy Smith, killed in the Shootout on Juneau Wharf, releases Skagway, Alaska from his iron grip. In 1910, Carlos Betances Ramírez, Puerto Rican general (died 2001) was born. In 1915, Neil D. Van Sickle, American Air Force major general (died 2019) was born. In 1933, Antonio Lamer, Canadian lawyer and politician, 16th Chief Justice of Canada (died 2007) was born. In 1947, Reports are broadcast that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico in what became known as the Roswell UFO incident. In 1960, Francis Gary Powers is charged with espionage resulting from his flight over the Soviet Union. In 1963, Mark Christopher, American director and screenwriter was born. In 1965, Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 is destroyed by a bomb near 100 Mile House, Canada, killing 52. In 1994, Kim Jong Il begins to assume supreme leadership of North Korea upon the death of his father, Kim Il Sung. In 1999, Pete Conrad, American captain, pilot, and astronaut (born 1930) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.