Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 911, Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. In 1760, Peggy Shippen, American wife of Benedict Arnold and American Revolutionary War spy (died 1804) was born. In 1789, Jacques Necker is dismissed as France's Finance Minister sparking the Storming of the Bastille. In 1930, Ezra Vogel, American sociologist (died 2020) was born. In 1936, The Triborough Bridge in New York City is opened to traffic. In 1940, World War II: Vichy France regime is formally established. Philippe Pétain becomes Chief of the French State. In 1943, World War II: Allied invasion of Sicily: German and Italian troops launch a counter-attack on Allied forces in Sicily. In 1960, Congo Crisis: The State of Katanga breaks away from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1960, France legislates for the independence of Dahomey (later Benin), Upper Volta (later Burkina Faso) and Niger. In 1990, Oka Crisis: First Nations land dispute in Quebec begins. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.