Today in News History

On July 6, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1701, Mary, Countess of Harold, English aristocrat and philanthropist (died 1785) was born. In 1884, Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, American businessman and sailor (died 1970) was born. In 1919, The British dirigible R34 lands in New York, completing the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by an airship. In 1939, Jet Harris, English bass player (died 2011) was born. In 1942, Anne Frank and her family go into hiding in the "Secret Annexe" above her father's office in an Amsterdam warehouse. In 1962, Peter Hedges, American author, screenwriter, and director was born. In 1988, The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires. One hundred sixty-seven oil workers are killed, making it the world's worst offshore oil disaster in terms of direct loss of life. In 1997, The Troubles: In response to the Drumcree dispute, five days of mass protests, riots and gun battles begin in Irish nationalist districts of Northern Ireland. In 2009, Robert McNamara, American businessman and politician, 8th United States Secretary of Defense (born 1916) passed away. In 2013, A 73-car oil train derails in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec and explodes into flames, killing at least 47 people and destroying more than 30 buildings in the town's central area. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.