Today in News History

On July 2, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1881, Charles J. Guiteau shoots and fatally wounds U.S. President James A. Garfield (who will die of complications from his wounds on September 19). In 1923, Cyril M. Kornbluth, American soldier and author (died 1958) was born. In 1936, Omar Suleiman, Egyptian general and politician, 16th Vice President of Egypt (died 2012) was born. In 1939, John H. Sununu, American engineer and politician, 14th White House Chief of Staff was born. In 1939, Alexandros Panagoulis, Greek poet and politician (died 1976) was born. In 1952, Sylvia Rivera, American transgender rights activist (died 2002) was born. In 1986, Rodrigo Rojas and Carmen Gloria Quintana are burnt alive during a street demonstration against the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile. In 1986, Aeroflot Flight 2306 crashes while attempting an emergency landing at Syktyvkar Airport in Syktyvkar, in present-day Komi Republic, Russia, killing 54 people. In 2010, The South Kivu tank truck explosion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo kills at least 230 people. In 2024, A stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh, India, leaves at least 121 people dead and 150 others injured. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.