Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 940, Wang Jianli, Chinese general (born 871) passed away. In 1054, A supernova, called SN 1054, is seen by Chinese Song dynasty, Arab, and possibly Amerindian observers near the star Zeta Tauri. For several months it remains bright enough to be seen during the day. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula. In 1802, The United States Military Academy opens at West Point, New York. In 1886, The Canadian Pacific Railway's first scheduled train from Montreal arrives in Port Moody on the Pacific coast, after six days of travel. In 1898, En route from New York to Le Havre, the SS La Bourgogne collides with another ship and sinks off the coast of Sable Island, with the loss of 549 lives. In 1954, Devendra Kumar Joshi, 21st Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy was born. In 1960, Due to the post-Independence Day admission of Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, the 50-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, almost ten and a half months later (see Flag Acts (United States)). In 1979, Lee Wai Tong, Chinese footballer and manager (born 1905) passed away. In 1991, Victor Chang, Chinese-Australian surgeon and physician (born 1936) passed away. In 1998, Japan launches the Nozomi probe to Mars, joining the United States and Russia as a space exploring nation. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.