Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1864, Ikedaya Incident: The Choshu Han shishi's planned Shinsengumi sabotage on Kyoto, Japan at Ikedaya. In 1898, The death of crime boss Soapy Smith, killed in the Shootout on Juneau Wharf, releases Skagway, Alaska from his iron grip. In 1910, Carlos Betances Ramírez, Puerto Rican general (died 2001) was born. In 1917, J. F. Powers, American novelist and short story writer (died 1999) was born. In 1925, Bill Mackrides, American football quarterback (died 2019) was born. In 1947, Reports are broadcast that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico in what became known as the Roswell UFO incident. In 1960, Francis Gary Powers is charged with espionage resulting from his flight over the Soviet Union. In 1964, Alexei Gusarov, Russian ice hockey player and manager was born. In 1972, Israeli Mossad assassinate Palestinian writer Ghassan Kanafani. In 2007, Jack B. Sowards, American screenwriter and producer (born 1929) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.