Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1882, James Larkin White, American miner, explorer, and park ranger (died 1946) was born. In 1882, The British Mediterranean Fleet begins the Bombardment of Alexandria in Egypt as part of the Anglo-Egyptian War. In 1914, The US Navy launches the USS Nevada (BB-36) as its first standard-type battleship. In 1933, Frank Kelso, American admiral and politician, United States Secretary of the Navy (died 2013) was born. In 1962, First transatlantic satellite television transmission. In 1973, Varig Flight 820 crashes near Paris on approach to Orly Airport, killing 123 of the 134 on board. In response, the FAA bans smoking in airplane lavatories. In 1979, America's first space station, Skylab, is destroyed as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. In 1983, A TAME airline Boeing 737-200 crashes near Cuenca, Ecuador, killing all 119 passengers and crew on board. In 1991, Nigeria Airways Flight 2120 crashes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killing all 261 passengers and crew on board. In 2021, Richard Branson becomes the first civilian to be launched into space via his Virgin Galactic spacecraft. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.