Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1916, Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Ukrainian-Russian soldier and sniper (died 1974) was born. In 1918, The Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kawachi blows up at Shunan, western Honshu, Japan, killing at least 621. In 1928, Alastair Burnet, English journalist (died 2012) was born. In 1961, Indian city Pune floods due to failure of the Khadakwasla and Panshet dams, killing at least two thousand people. In 1963, Pauline Reade, 16, disappears in Gorton, England, the first victim in the Moors murders. In 1973, A fire destroys the entire sixth floor of the National Personnel Records Center of the United States. In 1998, The Ulster Volunteer Force attacked a house in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a petrol bomb, killing the Quinn brothers. In 2012, A tank truck explosion kills more than 100 people in Okobie, Nigeria. In 2012, Syrian Civil War: Government forces target the homes of rebels and activists in Tremseh and kill anywhere between 68 and 150 people. In 2024, Tonke Dragt, Dutch children's writer and illustrator (born 1930) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.