Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1194, Sverre is crowned King of Norway, leading to his excommunication by the Catholic Church and civil war. In 1528, Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (died 1589) was born. In 1849, John Hunn, American businessman and politician, 51st Governor of Delaware (died 1926) was born. In 1889, Hyde Park and several other Illinois townships vote to be annexed by Chicago, forming the largest United States city in area and second largest in population at the time. In 1913, Earle Meadows, American pole vaulter (died 1992) was born. In 1945, The Soviet Union annexes the Czechoslovak province of Carpathian Ruthenia. In 1974, Mikhail Baryshnikov defects from the Soviet Union to Canada while on tour with the Kirov Ballet. In 1995, The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937. 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 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.