Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1789, In response to the dismissal of the French finance minister Jacques Necker, the radical journalist Camille Desmoulins gives a speech which results in the storming of the Bastille two days later. In 1801, British ships inflict heavy damage on Spanish and French ships in the Second Battle of Algeciras. In 1812, The American Army of the Northwest briefly occupies the Upper Canadian settlement at what is now at Windsor, Ontario. In 1876, Max Jacob, French poet, painter, and critic (died 1944) was born. In 1895, Buckminster Fuller, American architect and engineer, designed the Montreal Biosphère (died 1983) was born. In 1920, Pierre Berton, Canadian journalist and author (died 2004) was born. In 1927, Harley Hotchkiss, Canadian businessman (died 2011) was born. In 2006, The 2006 Lebanon War begins. In 2012, A tank truck explosion kills more than 100 people in Okobie, Nigeria. In 2013, Six people are killed and 200 injured in a French passenger train derailment in Brétigny-sur-Orge. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.