Today in News History

On July 2, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1797, Francisco Javier Echeverría, Mexican businessman and politician. President of Mexico (1841) (died 1852) was born. In 1820, Juan N. Méndez, Mexican general and interim president, 1876-1877 (died 1894) was born. In 1915, Porfirio Díaz, Mexican general and politician, 29th President of Mexico (born 1830) passed away. In 1932, Dave Thomas, American businessman and philanthropist, founded Wendy's (died 2002) was born. In 1942, Vicente Fox, Mexican businessman and politician, 35th President of Mexico was born. In 1964, Ozzie Canseco, Cuban-American baseball player, coach, and manager was born. In 1986, Rodrigo Rojas and Carmen Gloria Quintana are burnt alive during a street demonstration against the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile. In 1997, The Bank of Thailand floats the baht, triggering the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, Vicente Fox Quesada is elected the first President of México from an opposition party, the Partido Acción Nacional, after more than 70 years of continuous rule by the Partido Revolucionario Institucional. In 2008, Colombian conflict: Íngrid Betancourt, a member of the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia, is released from captivity after being held for six and a half years by FARC. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.