Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1855, John Gorrie, American physician and humanitarian (born 1803) passed away. 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 1897, Fulgence Charpentier, Canadian journalist and publisher (died 2001) was born. In 1951, Craig Sager, American sportscaster (died 2016) was born. In 1971, Prior to re-entry (following a record-setting stay aboard the Soviet Union's Salyut 1 space station), the crew capsule of the Soyuz 11 spacecraft depressurizes, killing the three cosmonauts on board. Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev are the first humans to die in space. In 1981, Shmuly Yanklowitz, American rabbi, author, and educator was born. In 1995, The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937. 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, Joel Siegel, American journalist and critic (born 1943) passed away. In 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.