Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1863, American Civil War: Union forces repulse a Confederate army at the Battle of Helena in Arkansas. The battle thwarts a Rebel attempt to relieve pressure on the besieged city of Vicksburg, and paves the way for the Union capture of Little Rock. In 1898, Pilar Barbosa, Puerto Rican-American historian and activist (died 1997) was born. In 1902, Meyer Lansky, American gangster (died 1983) was born. In 1905, Lionel Trilling, American critic, essayist, short story writer, and educator (died 1975) was born. In 1911, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Alaskan-American civil rights activist (died 1958) was born. In 1928, Chuck Tanner, American baseball player and manager (died 2011) was born. In 1934, Yvonne B. Miller, American academic and politician (died 2012) was born. In 1940, Pat Stapleton, Canadian ice hockey player (died 2020) was born. In 1977, The George Jackson Brigade plants a bomb at the main power substation for the Washington state capitol in Olympia, in solidarity with a prison strike at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary Intensive Security Unit. In 2005, Cliff Goupille, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1915) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.