Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1653, Sarah Good, American woman accused of witchcraft (died 1692) was born. In 1864, American Civil War: Battle of Fort Stevens; Confederate forces attempt to invade Washington, D.C. In 1906, Murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in the United States, inspiration for Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. In 1916, Mortimer Caplin, American tax attorney, educator, and IRS Commissioner (died 2019) was born. In 1930, Ezra Vogel, American sociologist (died 2020) was born. In 1960, Congo Crisis: The State of Katanga breaks away from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is first published, in the United States. In 1966, Delmore Schwartz, American poet and short story writer (born 1913) passed away. In 1967, Jhumpa Lahiri, Indian American novelist and short story writer was born. In 1980, Kevin Powers, American soldier and author was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.