Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1798, The United States Marine Corps is re-established; they had been disbanded after the American Revolutionary War. In 1864, American Civil War: Battle of Fort Stevens; Confederate forces attempt to invade Washington, D.C. In 1893, A revolution led by the liberal general and politician José Santos Zelaya takes over state power in Nicaragua. In 1912, William F. Walsh, American captain and politician, 48th Mayor of Syracuse (died 2011) was born. In 1914, The US Navy launches the USS Nevada (BB-36) as its first standard-type battleship. In 1930, Mike Foster, American politician, 53rd Governor of Louisiana (died 2020) was born. In 1962, Project Apollo: At a press conference, NASA announces lunar orbit rendezvous as the means to land astronauts on the Moon, and return them to Earth. In 1977, Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated in 1968, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1980, Kevin Powers, American soldier and author was born. In 2021, Richard Branson becomes the first civilian to be launched into space via his Virgin Galactic spacecraft. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.