Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1801, French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons makes his first comet discovery. In the next 27 years he discovers another 36 comets, more than any other person in history. In 1850, Annie Armstrong, American missionary (died 1938) was born. In 1906, Murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in the United States, inspiration for Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. In 1906, Herbert Wehner, German politician, Minister of Intra-German Relations (died 1990) was born. In 1914, The US Navy launches the USS Nevada (BB-36) as its first standard-type battleship. In 1947, The Exodus 1947 heads to Palestine from France. In 1952, Bill Barber, Canadian ice hockey player and coach was born. In 1960, Congo Crisis: The State of Katanga breaks away from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1962, Project Apollo: At a press conference, NASA announces lunar orbit rendezvous as the means to land astronauts on the Moon, and return them to Earth. In 1971, Leisha Hailey, American singer-songwriter and actress was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.