Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1858, Julia Lathrop, American activist and politician (died 1932) was born. In 1911, Katherine DeMille, Canadian-American actress (died 1995) was born. In 1920, Nicole Russell, Duchess of Bedford (died 2012) was born. In 1929, Oriana Fallaci, Italian journalist and author (died 2006) was born. In 1962, Joan Laporta, Spanish lawyer and politician was born. In 1972, The United States Supreme Court rules in the case Furman v. Georgia that arbitrary and inconsistent imposition of the death penalty violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. In 1972, A Convair CV-580 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter collide above Lake Winnebago near Appleton, Wisconsin, killing 13. In 1995, The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937. In 2006, Hamdan v. Rumsfeld: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that President George W. Bush's plan to try Guantanamo Bay detainees in military tribunals violates U.S. and international law. In 2007, Apple Inc. releases its first mobile phone, the iPhone. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.