Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1801, British ships inflict heavy damage on Spanish and French ships in the Second Battle of Algeciras. In 1913, Serbian forces begin their siege of the Bulgarian city of Vidin; the siege is later called off when the war ends. In 1914, Mohammad Moin, Iranian linguist and lexicographer (died 1971) was born. In 1920, The Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty is signed, by which Soviet Russia recognizes the independence of Lithuania. In 1943, World War II: Battle of Kursk: German and Soviet forces engage in the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest armored engagements of all time. In 2001, Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-104, carrying the Quest Joint Airlock to the International Space Station. In 2006, The 2006 Lebanon War begins. In 2007, U.S. Army Apache helicopters engage in airstrikes against armed insurgents in Baghdad, Iraq, where civilians are killed; footage from the cockpit is later leaked to the Internet. In 2012, Syrian Civil War: Government forces target the homes of rebels and activists in Tremseh and kill anywhere between 68 and 150 people. In 2012, Hamid Samandarian, Iranian director and playwright (born 1931) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.