Today in News History

On July 6, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 887, Wang Chongrong, Chinese warlord passed away. In 1779, Battle of Grenada: The French defeat British naval forces in the Caribbean during the American Revolutionary War. In 1941, World War II: The German army launches its offensive to encircle several Soviet armies near Smolensk. In 1947, The AK-47 goes into production in the Soviet Union. In 1964, Claude V. Ricketts, American admiral (born 1906) passed away. In 1984, Zhang Hao, Chinese figure skater was born. In 1988, The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires. One hundred sixty-seven oil workers are killed, making it the world's worst offshore oil disaster in terms of direct loss of life. In 2006, The Nathu La pass between India and China, sealed during the Sino-Indian War, re-opens for trade after 44 years. In 2009, Robert McNamara, American businessman and politician, 8th United States Secretary of Defense (born 1916) passed away. In 2013, Lo Hsing Han, Burmese businessman, co-founded Asia World (born 1935) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.