Today in News History

On July 9, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 869, The 8.4-9.0 Mw Sanriku earthquake strikes the area around Sendai in northern Honshu, Japan. Inundation from the tsunami extended several kilometers inland. In 1777, Paavo Ruotsalainen, Finnish farmer and lay preacher (died 1852) was born. In 1811, Explorer David Thompson posts a sign near what is now Sacajawea State Park in Washington state, claiming the Columbia District for the United Kingdom. In 1917, Krystyna Dańko, Polish orphan, survivor of Holocaust (died 2019) was born. In 1918, Jarl Wahlström, Finnish 12th General of The Salvation Army (died 1999) was born. In 1934, Michael Graves, American architect, designed the Portland Building and the Humana Building (died 2015) was born. In 1944, World War II: American forces take Saipan, bringing the Japanese archipelago within range of B-29 raids, and causing the downfall of the Tojo government. In 1944, World War II: Continuation War: Finland wins the Battle of Tali-Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in northern Europe. The Red Army withdraws its troops from Ihantala and digs into a defensive position, thus ending the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk Offensive. In 1958, A 7.8 Mw strike-slip earthquake in Alaska causes a landslide that produces a megatsunami. The runup from the waves reached 525 m (1,722 ft) on the rim of Lituya Bay; five people were killed. In 2014, Eileen Ford, American businesswoman, co-founded Ford Models (born 1922) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.