Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1817, Alvin Saunders, Territorial Governor and Senator from Nebraska (died 1899) was born. In 1857, George E. Ohr, American potter (died 1918) was born. In 1862, The Medal of Honor is authorized by the United States Congress. In 1909, Herbert Zim, American naturalist, author, and educator (died 1994) was born. In 1917, The Bisbee Deportation occurs as vigilantes kidnap and deport nearly 1,300 striking miners and others from Bisbee, Arizona. In 1931, Eric Ives, English historian and academic (died 2012) was born. In 1945, Butch Hancock, American country-folk singer-songwriter and musician was born. In 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe declare independence from Portugal. 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. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.