Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1335, Pope Benedict XII issues the papal bull Fulgens sicut stella matutina to reform the Cistercian Order. 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 1801, British ships inflict heavy damage on Spanish and French ships in the Second Battle of Algeciras. In 1868, Stefan George, German poet and translator (died 1933) was born. In 1884, Louis B. Mayer, Russian-born American film producer, co-founded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (died 1957) was born. In 1914, Mohammad Moin, Iranian linguist and lexicographer (died 1971) was born. In 1917, The Bisbee Deportation occurs as vigilantes kidnap and deport nearly 1,300 striking miners and others from Bisbee, Arizona. In 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe declare independence from Portugal. In 1997, François Furet, French historian and author (born 1927) passed away. In 2014, Alfred de Grazia, American political scientist and author (born 1919) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.