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 1789, Jacques Necker is dismissed as France's Finance Minister sparking the Storming of the Bastille. In 1804, A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. In 1864, American Civil War: Battle of Fort Stevens; Confederate forces attempt to invade Washington, D.C. In 1906, Murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in the United States, inspiration for Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. In 1921, A truce in the Irish War of Independence comes into effect. In 1936, The Triborough Bridge in New York City is opened to traffic. In 1960, Congo Crisis: The State of Katanga breaks away from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1990, Oka Crisis: First Nations land dispute in Quebec begins. In 1995, Yugoslav Wars: Srebrenica massacre begins; lasts until 22 July. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.