Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 154, Bardaisan, Syrian astrologer, scholar, and philosopher (died 222) was born. In 1302, Robert II, Count of Artois (born 1250) passed away. In 1735, Mathematical calculations suggest that it is on this day that dwarf planet Pluto moved inside the orbit of Neptune for the last time before 1979. 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 1832, Charilaos Trikoupis, Greek lawyer and politician, 55th Prime Minister of Greece (died 1896) was born. In 1909, Irene Hervey, American actress (died 1998) was born. In 1924, Brett Somers, Canadian-American actress and singer (died 2007) was born. In 1957, Prince Karim Husseini Aga Khan IV inherits the office of Imamat as the 49th Imam of Shia Imami Ismai'li worldwide, after the death of Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah Aga Khan III. In 1960, Congo Crisis: The State of Katanga breaks away from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1990, Oka Crisis: First Nations land dispute in Quebec begins. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.