Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1656, John Leake, Royal Navy admiral (died 1720) was born. In 1790, George Everest, Welsh geographer and surveyor (died 1866) was born. In 1879, Anglo-Zulu War: The Zululand capital of Ulundi is captured by British troops and burned to the ground, ending the war and forcing King Cetshwayo to flee. In 1918, Eric Bedser, English cricketer (died 2006) was born. In 1918, Alec Bedser, English cricketer (died 2010) was born. In 1930, George Steinbrenner, American businessman (died 2010) was born. In 1948, Jeremy Spencer, English singer-songwriter and guitarist was born. In 1954, Food rationing in Great Britain ends, with the lifting of restrictions on sale and purchase of meat, 14 years after it began early in World War II, and nearly a decade after the war's end. In 1969, Wilfred Mugeyi, Zimbabwean footballer and coach was born. In 1973, Michael Johnson, English-Jamaican footballer and manager was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.