Today in News History

On July 2, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1644, English Civil War: Battle of Marston Moor. In 1698, Thomas Savery patents the first steam engine. In 1816, The French frigate Méduse strikes the Bank of Arguin and 151 people on board have to be evacuated on an improvised raft, a case immortalised by Géricault's painting The Raft of the Medusa. In 1906, Séra Martin, French middle-distance runner (died 1993) was born. In 1934, The Night of the Long Knives ends after three days of killings. In 1937, Richard Petty, American race car driver and sportscaster was born. In 1940, World War II: The SS Arandora Star is sunk by U-47 in the North Atlantic with the loss of over 800 lives, mostly civilians. In 1941, William Guest, American singer-songwriter and producer (died 2015) was born. In 1964, Civil rights movement: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 meant to prohibit segregation in public places. In 2019, Lee Iacocca, American automotive executive (born 1924) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.