Today in News History

On July 5, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1918, Zakaria Mohieddin, Egyptian general and politician, 33rd Prime Minister of Egypt (died 2012) was born. In 1943, World War II: German forces begin a massive offensive against the Soviet Union at the Battle of Kursk, also known as Operation Citadel. In 1950, Korean War: Task Force Smith: American and North Korean forces first clash, in the Battle of Osan. In 1950, The Knesset of Israel passes the Law of Return which grants all Jews the right to immigrate to the Land of Israel. In 1967, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Iraqi politician, 80th Prime Minister of Iraq was born. In 1970, Air Canada Flight 621 crashes in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, killing all 109 people on board. In 1983, Taavi Peetre, Estonian shot putter (died 2010) was born. In 1997, Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Tamil MP A. Thangathurai is shot dead at Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College in Trincomalee. In 2003, The World Health Organization announces that the 2002-2004 SARS outbreak has been contained. In 2009, A series of violent riots break out in Ürümqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.