Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1709, Peter I of Russia defeats Charles XII of Sweden at the Battle of Poltava, thus effectively ending Sweden's status as a major power in Europe. In 1876, The Hamburg massacre prior to the 1876 United States presidential election results in the deaths of six African-Americans of the Republican Party, along with one white assailant. In 1906, Philip Johnson, American architect, designed the IDS Center and PPG Place (died 2005) was born. In 1910, Carlos Betances Ramírez, Puerto Rican general (died 2001) was born. In 1924, Johnnie Johnson, American pianist and songwriter (died 2005) was born. In 1933, Antonio Lamer, Canadian lawyer and politician, 16th Chief Justice of Canada (died 2007) was born. In 1934, Raquel Correa, Chilean journalist (died 2012) was born. In 1972, Israeli Mossad assassinate Palestinian writer Ghassan Kanafani. In 1982, A failed assassination attempt against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein results in the Dujail Massacre over the next several months. In 1989, Tor Marius Gromstad, Norwegian footballer (died 2012) was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.