Today in News History

On July 2, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1908, SOS is adopted as the international distress signal. In 1912, David Brower, American environmentalist, founder of the Sierra Club Foundation (died 2000) was born. In 1917, Chinese General Zhang Xun seizes control of Beijing and restores the monarchy, installing Puyi, last emperor of the Qing dynasty, to the throne. The restoration is reversed just shy of two weeks later, when Republican troops regain control of the capital. In 1918, Ahmed Deedat, South African writer and public speaker (died 2005) was born. In 1921, Seretse Khama, Batswana lawyer and politician, 1st President of Botswana (died 1980) was born. In 1926, Mohamed Abshir Muse, Somali general (died 2017) was born. In 1946, Kojo Laing, Ghanaian novelist and poet (died 2017) was born. In 1960, Ghana becomes a republic and Kwame Nkrumah becomes its first President as Queen Elizabeth II ceases to be its head of state. In 1983, The Ministry of State Security is established as China's principal intelligence agency. In 2008, Riots erupt in Mongolia in response to allegations of fraud surrounding the 2008 legislative elections. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.