Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1581, Peder Skram, Danish admiral and politician (born 1503) passed away. In 1603, Kenelm Digby, English astrologer, courtier, and diplomat (died 1665) was born. In 1628, Tokugawa Mitsukuni, Japanese daimyō (died 1701) was born. 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 1976, Eduardo Nájera, Mexican-American basketball player and coach was born. In 1990, Oka Crisis: First Nations land dispute in Quebec begins. In 1991, Nigeria Airways Flight 2120 crashes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killing all 261 passengers and crew on board. In 2006, Mumbai train bombings: 209 people are killed in a series of bomb attacks in Mumbai, India. In 2011, Ninety-eight containers of explosives self-detonate killing 13 people in Zygi, Cyprus. In 2015, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán escapes from the maximum security Altiplano prison in Mexico, his second escape. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.