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 1914, Mohammad Moin, Iranian linguist and lexicographer (died 1971) was born. In 1928, Imero Fiorentino, American lighting designer (died 2013) was born. In 1937, Robert McFarlane, American colonel and diplomat, 13th United States National Security Advisor (died 2022) was born. In 1961, Indian city Pune floods due to failure of the Khadakwasla and Panshet dams, killing at least two thousand people. In 1967, Riots begin in Newark, New Jersey. In 1995, Chinese seismologists successfully predict the 1995 Myanmar-China earthquake, reducing the number of casualties to 11. In 2013, Six people are killed and 200 injured in a French passenger train derailment in Brétigny-sur-Orge. In 2015, Cheng Siwei, Chinese engineer, economist, and politician (born 1935) passed away. In 2024, Bill Viola, American video and installation artist (born 1951) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.