Today in News History

On July 1, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1878, Canada joins the Universal Postal Union. In 1908, SOS is adopted as the international distress signal. In 1911, Germany dispatches the gunboat SMS Panther to Morocco, sparking the Agadir Crisis. In 1931, United Airlines begins service (as Boeing Air Transport). In 1946, Crossroads Able is the first postwar nuclear weapon test. In 1947, The Philippine Air Force is established. In 1957, The International Geophysical Year begins. In 1959, Specific values for the international yard, avoirdupois pound and derived units (e.g. inch, mile and ounce) are adopted after agreement between the US, the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. In 1968, Formal separation of the United Auto Workers from the AFL-CIO in the United States. In 1990, German reunification: East Germany accepts the Deutsche Mark as its currency, thus uniting the economies of East and West Germany. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.