Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1562, Fray Diego de Landa, acting Bishop of Yucatán, burns the sacred idols and books of the Maya. In 1944, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., American general and politician, Governor of Puerto Rico (born 1887) passed away. In 1961, Indian city Pune floods due to failure of the Khadakwasla and Panshet dams, killing at least two thousand people. In 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe declare independence from Portugal. In 1979, Olive Morris, Jamaican-English civil rights activist (born 1952) passed away. In 1990, João Saldanha, Brazilian footballer, manager, and journalist (born 1917) passed away. In 1994, Kanako Momota, Japanese singer-songwriter was born. In 2001, Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-104, carrying the Quest Joint Airlock to the International Space Station. In 2010, Pius Njawé, Cameroonian journalist (born 1957) passed away. In 2015, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, Tibetan monk and activist (born 1950) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.