Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1914, The funeral of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie takes place in Vienna, six days after their assassinations in Sarajevo. In 1918, Mehmed V died at the age of 73 and Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI ascends to the throne. In 1921, Nasser Sharifi, Iranian sports shooter was born. In 1928, Jassem Alwan, Syrian Army Officer (died 2018) was born. In 1941, Tomaž Šalamun, Croatian-Slovenian poet and academic (died 2014) was born. In 1943, Geraldo Rivera, American lawyer, journalist, and author was born. In 1943, World War II: The Battle of Kursk, the largest full-scale battle in history and the world's largest tank battle, begins in the village of Prokhorovka. In 1982, Three Iranian diplomats and a journalist are kidnapped in Lebanon by Phalange forces, and their fate remains unknown. In 2009, The first of four days of bombings begins on the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao. In 2016, Abbas Kiarostami, Iranian film director, screenwriter, poet, and photographer (born 1940) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.