Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 813, Byzantine emperor Michael I, under threat by conspiracies, abdicates in favor of his general Leo the Armenian, and becomes a monk (under the name Athanasius). In 1535, Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg (born 1484) passed away. In 1864, American Civil War: Battle of Fort Stevens; Confederate forces attempt to invade Washington, D.C. In 1931, Tab Hunter, American actor and singer (died 2018) was born. In 1937, George Gershwin, American pianist, songwriter, and composer (born 1898) passed away. In 1943, World War II: Allied invasion of Sicily: German and Italian troops launch a counter-attack on Allied forces in Sicily. In 1946, Martin Wong, American painter (died 1999) 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 1981, Andre Johnson, American football player was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.