Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1174, Baldwin IV, 13, becomes King of Jerusalem, with Raymond III, Count of Tripoli as regent and William of Tyre as chancellor. In 1798, The United States Marine Corps is re-established; they had been disbanded after the American Revolutionary War. 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, William F. Walsh, American captain and politician, 48th Mayor of Syracuse (died 2011) was born. In 1914, The US Navy launches the USS Nevada (BB-36) as its first standard-type battleship. In 1930, Trevor Storer, English businessman, founded Pukka Pies (died 2013) was born. In 1936, The Triborough Bridge in New York City is opened to traffic. In 1943, World War II: Allied invasion of Sicily: German and Italian troops launch a counter-attack on Allied forces in Sicily. In 1978, Los Alfaques disaster: A truck carrying liquid gas crashes and explodes at a coastal campsite in Tarragona, Spain killing 216 tourists. In 2014, Tommy Ramone, Hungarian-American drummer and producer (born 1949) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.