Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1170, A major earthquake hits Syria, badly damaging towns such as Hama and Shaizar and structures such as the Krak des Chevaliers and the cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch. In 1849, Pedro Montt, Chilean lawyer and politician, 15th President of Chile (died 1910) was born. In 1864, At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada's worst railway disaster after a train fails to stop for an open drawbridge and plunges into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec. In 1874, Greek politician Charilaos Trikoupis publishes a manifesto in the Athens daily Kairoi entitled "Who's to Blame?" leveling complaints against King George. Trikoupis is elected Prime Minister of Greece the next year. In 1919, Ernesto Corripio y Ahumada, Mexican cardinal (died 2008) was born. In 1919, José Gregorio Hernández Venezuelan physician and educator (born 1864) passed away. In 1995, The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937. In 2007, Joel Siegel, American journalist and critic (born 1943) passed away. In 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. In 2013, Gilma Jiménez, Colombian politician (born 1956) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.