Today in News History

On July 2, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1839, Twenty miles off the coast of Cuba, 53 kidnapped Africans led by Joseph Cinqué mutiny and take over the slave ship Amistad. In 1933, Peter Desbarats, Canadian journalist, author, and playwright (died 2014) was born. In 1934, The Night of the Long Knives ends after three days of killings. In 1963, Alicia Patterson, American publisher, co-founded Newsday (born 1906) passed away. In 1979, Ahmed al-Ghamdi, Saudi Arabian terrorist, hijacker of United Airlines Flight 175 (died 2001) was born. In 1990, In the 1990 Mecca tunnel tragedy, 1,400 Muslim pilgrims are suffocated to death and trampled upon in a pedestrian tunnel leading to the holy city of Mecca. In 1999, Mario Puzo, American author and screenwriter (born 1920) passed away. In 2005, Ernest Lehman, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1915) passed away. In 2016, Michael Cimino, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1939) passed away. In 2024, A stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh, India, leaves at least 121 people dead and 150 others injured. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.