Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1628, Tokugawa Mitsukuni, Japanese daimyō (died 1701) was born. In 1911, Erna Flegel, German nurse who was still present in the Führerbunker when it was captured by Soviet troops (died 2006) was born. In 1953, Ivan Toms, South African physician and activist (died 2008) was born. In 1955, Balaji Sadasivan, Singaporean neurosurgeon and politician, Singaporean Minister of Health (died 2010) was born. In 1973, Varig Flight 820 crashes near Paris on approach to Orly Airport, killing 123 of the 134 on board. In response, the FAA bans smoking in airplane lavatories. In 1978, Los Alfaques disaster: A truck carrying liquid gas crashes and explodes at a coastal campsite in Tarragona, Spain killing 216 tourists. In 1984, Jacoby Jones, American football player (died 2024) was born. In 1995, Yugoslav Wars: Srebrenica massacre begins; lasts until 22 July. In 2006, Mumbai train bombings: 209 people are killed in a series of bomb attacks in Mumbai, India. In 2011, Ninety-eight containers of explosives self-detonate killing 13 people in Zygi, Cyprus. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.