Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1790, The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is passed in France by the National Constituent Assembly. In 1804, Alexander Hamilton, American general, economist, and politician, 1st United States Secretary of the Treasury (born 1755) passed away. In 1812, The American Army of the Northwest briefly occupies the Upper Canadian settlement at what is now at Windsor, Ontario. In 1920, The Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty is signed, by which Soviet Russia recognizes the independence of Lithuania. In 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe declare independence from Portugal. In 1996, John Chancellor, American journalist (born 1927) passed away. In 1997, François Furet, French historian and author (born 1927) passed away. In 2006, The 2006 Lebanon War begins. In 2007, U.S. Army Apache helicopters engage in airstrikes against armed insurgents in Baghdad, Iraq, where civilians are killed; footage from the cockpit is later leaked to the Internet. In 2012, Syrian Civil War: Government forces target the homes of rebels and activists in Tremseh and kill anywhere between 68 and 150 people. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.