Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1191, Third Crusade: Saladin's garrison surrenders to Philip Augustus, ending the two-year siege of Acre. In 1776, Captain James Cook begins his third voyage. In 1789, In response to the dismissal of the French finance minister Jacques Necker, the radical journalist Camille Desmoulins gives a speech which results in the storming of the Bastille two days later. In 1806, At the insistence of Napoleon, Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg and thirteen minor principalities leave the Holy Roman Empire and form the Confederation of the Rhine. In 1817, Alvin Saunders, Territorial Governor and Senator from Nebraska (died 1899) was born. In 1922, Mark Hatfield, American soldier and politician, 29th Governor of Oregon (died 2011) was born. In 1945, Butch Hancock, American country-folk singer-songwriter and musician was born. In 2001, Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-104, carrying the Quest Joint Airlock to the International Space Station. In 2006, The 2006 Lebanon War begins. In 2013, Six people are killed and 200 injured in a French passenger train derailment in Brétigny-sur-Orge. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.