Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1789, In response to the dismissal of the French finance minister Jacques Necker, the radical journalist Camille Desmoulins gives a speech which results in the storming of the Bastille two days later. In 1918, The Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kawachi blows up at Shunan, western Honshu, Japan, killing at least 621. In 1927, Jack Harshman, American baseball player (died 2013) was born. In 1927, Harley Hotchkiss, Canadian businessman (died 2011) was born. In 1927, Françoys Bernier, Canadian pianist, conductor, and educator (died 1993) was born. In 1933, Victor Poor, American engineer, developed the Datapoint 2200 (died 2012) was born. In 1955, Jimmy LaFave, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2017) was born. In 1967, Mac McCaughan, American singer and guitarist was born. In 1996, John Chancellor, American journalist (born 1927) passed away. In 2011, Sherwood Schwartz, American screenwriter and producer (born 1916) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.