Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1457, The Dutch city of Dordrecht is devastated by fire. In 1864, At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada's worst railway disaster after a train fails to stop for an open drawbridge and plunges into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec. In 1874, Greek politician Charilaos Trikoupis publishes a manifesto in the Athens daily Kairoi entitled "Who's to Blame?" leveling complaints against King George. Trikoupis is elected Prime Minister of Greece the next year. In 1941, Stokely Carmichael, Trinidadian-American activist (died 1998) was born. In 1941, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Polish pianist, composer, and politician, 2nd Prime Minister of Poland (born 1860) passed away. In 1976, The Conference of Communist and Workers Parties of Europe convenes in East Berlin. In 2002, Naval clashes between South Korea and North Korea lead to the death of six South Korean sailors and sinking of a North Korean vessel. In 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. In 2014, The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant self-declares its caliphate in Syria and northern Iraq. In 2016, Jan Hettema, Springbok cyclist and five times South African National Rally Champion (born 1933) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.