Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 813, Byzantine emperor Michael I, under threat by conspiracies, abdicates in favor of his general Leo the Armenian, and becomes a monk (under the name Athanasius). In 1760, Peggy Shippen, American wife of Benedict Arnold and American Revolutionary War spy (died 1804) was born. In 1804, A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. In 1850, Annie Armstrong, American missionary (died 1938) was born. In 1895, Dorothy Wilde, English author and poet (died 1941) was born. In 1923, Tun Tun, Indian actress and comedian (died 2003) was born. In 1926, Frederick Buechner, American minister, theologian, and author (died 2022) was born. In 1928, Andrea Veneracion, Filipina choirmaster (died 2014) was born. In 1935, Oliver Napier, Northern Irish lawyer and politician (died 2011) was born. In 1955, Balaji Sadasivan, Singaporean neurosurgeon and politician, Singaporean Minister of Health (died 2010) was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.