Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1744, The Treaty of Lancaster, in which the Iroquois cede lands between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River to the British colonies, was signed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1817, In Rome, New York, construction on the Erie Canal begins. In 1837, Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway, opens between Birmingham and Liverpool. In 1879, Anglo-Zulu War: The Zululand capital of Ulundi is captured by British troops and burned to the ground, ending the war and forcing King Cetshwayo to flee. In 1886, Poundmaker, Canadian tribal chief (born 1797) passed away. In 1886, The Canadian Pacific Railway's first scheduled train from Montreal arrives in Port Moody on the Pacific coast, after six days of travel. In 1911, Bruce Hamilton, Australian public servant (died 1989) was born. In 1918, World War I: The Battle of Hamel, a successful attack by the Australian Corps against German positions near the town of Le Hamel on the Western Front. In 1972, Stephen Giles, Canadian canoe racer and engineer was born. In 2008, Charles Wheeler, German-English soldier and journalist (born 1923) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.