Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. 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 1918, The Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kawachi blows up at Shunan, western Honshu, Japan, killing at least 621. In 1920, Pierre Berton, Canadian journalist and author (died 2004) was born. In 1967, Riots begin in Newark, New Jersey. In 1973, A fire destroys the entire sixth floor of the National Personnel Records Center of the United States. In 1995, Chinese seismologists successfully predict the 1995 Myanmar-China earthquake, reducing the number of casualties to 11. In 1996, John Chancellor, American journalist (born 1927) passed away. In 2006, The 2006 Lebanon War begins. In 2008, Tony Snow, American journalist, 26th White House Press Secretary (born 1955) passed away. In 2010, Pius Njawé, Cameroonian journalist (born 1957) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.