Today in News History

On July 2, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1840, A Ms 7.4 earthquake strikes present-day Turkey and Armenia; combined with the effects of an eruption on Mount Ararat, kills 10,000 people. In 1916, Zélia Gattai, Brazilian author and photographer (died 2008) was born. In 1918, Indumati Bhattacharya, Indian politician (died 1990) was born. In 1931, Mohammad Yazdi, Iranian cleric (died 2020) was born. In 1940, World War II: The SS Arandora Star is sunk by U-47 in the North Atlantic with the loss of over 800 lives, mostly civilians. In 1966, France conducts its first nuclear weapon test in the Pacific, on Moruroa Atoll. In 1979, Ahmed al-Ghamdi, Saudi Arabian terrorist, hijacker of United Airlines Flight 175 (died 2001) was born. In 2015, Jacobo Zabludovsky, Mexican journalist (born 1928) passed away. In 2016, Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, activist, and author (born 1928) passed away. In 2020, Ángela Jeria, Chilean archaeologist (born 1926) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.