Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1906, Murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in the United States, inspiration for Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. In 1912, William F. Walsh, American captain and politician, 48th Mayor of Syracuse (died 2011) was born. In 1919, The eight-hour day and free Sunday become law for workers in the Netherlands. In 1921, Former president of the United States William Howard Taft is sworn in as 10th chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the only person ever to hold both offices. In 1922, The Hollywood Bowl opens. In 1936, The Triborough Bridge in New York City is opened to traffic. In 1947, Jeff Hanna, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and drummer was born. In 1957, Prince Karim Husseini Aga Khan IV inherits the office of Imamat as the 49th Imam of Shia Imami Ismai'li worldwide, after the death of Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah Aga Khan III. In 2004, Laurance Rockefeller, American financier and philanthropist (born 1910) passed away. In 2013, Eugene P. Wilkinson, American admiral (born 1918) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.