Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 900, Qatr al-Nada, wife of the Abbasid caliph al-Mu'tadid passed away. In 1099, Some 15,000 starving Christian soldiers begin the siege of Jerusalem by marching in a religious procession around the city as its Muslim defenders watch. In 1776, Church bells (possibly including the Liberty Bell) are rung after John Nixon delivers the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. In 1927, Khensur Lungri Namgyel, Tibetan religious leader was born. In 1928, Balakh Sher Mazari, former prime minister of Pakistan (died 2022) was born. In 1937, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan sign the Treaty of Saadabad. 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 1993, Abul Hasan Jashori, Bangladeshi Islamic scholar and freedom fighter (born 1918) passed away. In 1994, Kim Jong Il begins to assume supreme leadership of North Korea upon the death of his father, Kim Il Sung. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.