Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1653, Sarah Good, American woman accused of witchcraft (died 1692) was born. In 1833, Noongar Australian aboriginal warrior Yagan, wanted for the murder of white colonists in Western Australia, is killed. In 1906, Murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in the United States, inspiration for Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. In 1916, Mortimer Caplin, American tax attorney, educator, and IRS Commissioner (died 2019) was born. In 1953, Ivan Toms, South African physician and activist (died 2008) was born. In 1978, Los Alfaques disaster: A truck carrying liquid gas crashes and explodes at a coastal campsite in Tarragona, Spain killing 216 tourists. In 1981, Susana Barreiros, Venezuelan judge was born. In 1995, Yugoslav Wars: Srebrenica massacre begins; lasts until 22 July. In 2010, The Islamist militia group Al-Shabaab carries out multiple suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, killing 74 people and injuring 85 others. In 2011, Ninety-eight containers of explosives self-detonate killing 13 people in Zygi, Cyprus. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.