Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1302, Battle of the Golden Spurs (Guldensporenslag in Dutch): A coalition around the Flemish cities defeats the king of France's royal army. In 1912, Peta Taylor, English cricketer (died 1989) was born. In 1919, The eight-hour day and free Sunday become law for workers in the Netherlands. In 1922, The Hollywood Bowl opens. In 1944, Lou Hudson, American basketball player and coach (died 2014) was born. In 1962, Project Apollo: At a press conference, NASA announces lunar orbit rendezvous as the means to land astronauts on the Moon, and return them to Earth. In 1977, Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated in 1968, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1978, Los Alfaques disaster: A truck carrying liquid gas crashes and explodes at a coastal campsite in Tarragona, Spain killing 216 tourists. In 2007, Lady Bird Johnson, American beautification activist; 43rd First Lady of the United States (born 1912) passed away. In 2013, Eugene P. Wilkinson, American admiral (born 1918) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.