Today in News History

On July 7, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1798, As a result of the XYZ Affair, the US Congress rescinds the Treaty of Alliance with France sparking the "Quasi-War". In 1846, US troops occupy Monterey and Yerba Buena, thus beginning the US conquest of California. In 1911, The United States, UK, Japan, and Russia sign the North Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911 banning open-water seal hunting, the first international treaty to address wildlife preservation issues. In 1918, Jing Shuping, Chinese businessman (died 2009) was born. In 1959, Venus occults the star Regulus. This rare event is used to determine the diameter of Venus and the structure of the Venusian atmosphere. In 1981, Synyster Gates, American guitarist was born. In 1997, The Turkish Armed Forces withdraw from northern Iraq after assisting the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the Iraqi Kurdish Civil War. In 1998, Moshood Abiola, Nigerian businessman and politician (born 1937) passed away. In 2006, John Money, New Zealand-American psychologist and author (born 1921) passed away. In 2007, The first Live Earth benefit concert was held in 11 locations around the world. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.