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 1849, William Osler, Canadian physician and author (died 1919) was born. In 1863, Albert Calmette, French physician, bacteriologist, and immunologist (died 1933) was born. In 1913, Serbian forces begin their siege of the Bulgarian city of Vidin; the siege is later called off when the war ends. In 1923, James E. Gunn, American science fiction author (died 2020) was born. In 1937, Bill Cosby, American actor, comedian, producer, and screenwriter was born. In 1996, Jordan Romero, American mountaineer was born. In 1997, Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani-English activist, Nobel Prize laureate was born. In 2000, Charles Merritt, Canadian colonel and politician, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1908) passed away. In 2015, Chenjerai Hove, Zimbabwean journalist, author, and poet (born 1956) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.