Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1663, Charles II of England grants John Clarke a Royal charter to Rhode Island. In 1730, An estimated magnitude 8.7 earthquake causes a tsunami that damages more than 1,000 km (620 mi) of Chile's coastline. In 1820, Octavia Taylor, daughter of Zachary Taylor (born 1816) passed away. In 1853, The Perry Expedition arrives in Edo Bay with a treaty requesting trade. In 1918, Paul B. Fay, American businessman, soldier, and diplomat, 12th United States Secretary of the Navy (died 2009) was born. In 1939, Ed Lumley, Canadian businessman and politician, 8th Canadian Minister of Communications (died 2025) was born. In 1947, Reports are broadcast that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico in what became known as the Roswell UFO incident. In 1965, Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 is destroyed by a bomb near 100 Mile House, Canada, killing 52. In 1994, Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on an international science mission. In 2011, Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched in the final mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle program. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.