Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1170, A major earthquake hits Syria, badly damaging towns such as Hama and Shaizar and structures such as the Krak des Chevaliers and the cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch. In 1457, The Dutch city of Dordrecht is devastated by fire. In 1764, One of the strongest tornadoes in history strikes Woldegk, Germany, killing one person while leveling numerous mansions with winds estimated greater than 300 miles per hour (480 km/h). 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 1868, George Ellery Hale, American astronomer and journalist (died 1938) was born. In 1880, France annexes Tahiti, renaming the independent Kingdom of Tahiti as "Etablissements de français de l'Océanie". In 1912, Émile Peynaud, French oenologist and academic (died 2004) was born. In 1943, Louis Nicollin, French entrepreneur and chairman of Montpellier HSC (died 2017) was born. In 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. In 2017, Louis Nicollin, French entrepreneur and chairman of Montpellier HSC from 1974 to his death (born 1943) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.