Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 911, Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. In 1723, Jean-François Marmontel, French historian and author (died 1799) was born. In 1801, French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons makes his first comet discovery. In the next 27 years he discovers another 36 comets, more than any other person in history. In 1912, Sergiu Celibidache, Romanian conductor and composer (died 1996) was born. In 1931, Tullio Regge, Italian physicist and academic (died 2014) was born. In 1940, World War II: Vichy France regime is formally established. Philippe Pétain becomes Chief of the French State. In 1943, Robert Malval, Haitian businessman and politician, 5th Prime Minister of Haiti was born. In 1960, France legislates for the independence of Dahomey (later Benin), Upper Volta (later Burkina Faso) and Niger. 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, León de Greiff, Colombian poet and educator (born 1895) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.