Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1149, Raymond of Poitiers is defeated and killed at the Battle of Inab by Nur ad-Din Zangi. In 1864, At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada's worst railway disaster after a train fails to stop for an open drawbridge and plunges into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec. In 1881, In Sudan, Muhammad Ahmad declares himself to be the Mahdi, the messianic redeemer of Islam. In 1920, Nicole Russell, Duchess of Bedford (died 2012) was born. In 1927, Marie Thérèse Killens, Canadian politician was born. In 1946, Ernesto Pérez Balladares, Panamanian politician, 33rd President of Panama was born. In 2002, Naval clashes between South Korea and North Korea lead to the death of six South Korean sailors and sinking of a North Korean vessel. In 2007, Apple Inc. releases its first mobile phone, the iPhone. In 2011, K. D. Sethna, Indian poet, scholar, writer, philosopher, and cultural critic (born 1904) passed away. In 2014, The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant self-declares its caliphate in Syria and northern Iraq. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.