Today in News History

On July 13, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1335, Pope Benedict XII issues the papal bull Fulgens sicut stella matutina to reform the Cistercian Order. In 1682, Jean Picard, French priest and astronomer (born 1620) passed away. In 1789, In response to the dismissal of the French finance minister Jacques Necker, the radical journalist Camille Desmoulins gives a speech which results in the storming of the Bastille two days later. In 1801, British ships inflict heavy damage on Spanish and French ships in the Second Battle of Algeciras. In 1806, At the insistence of Napoleon, Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg and thirteen minor principalities leave the Holy Roman Empire and form the Confederation of the Rhine. In 1813, Claude Bernard, French physiologist and academic (died 1878) was born. In 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe declare independence from Portugal. In 1997, François Furet, French historian and author (born 1927) passed away. In 2013, Six people are killed and 200 injured in a French passenger train derailment in Brétigny-sur-Orge. In 2014, Alfred de Grazia, American political scientist and author (born 1919) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.