Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 813, Byzantine emperor Michael I, under threat by conspiracies, abdicates in favor of his general Leo the Armenian, and becomes a monk (under the name Athanasius). In 1825, Thomas P. Grosvenor, American soldier and politician (born 1744) passed away. In 1864, American Civil War: Battle of Fort Stevens; Confederate forces attempt to invade Washington, D.C. In 1897, Bull Connor, American police officer (died 1973) was born. In 1921, Former president of the United States William Howard Taft is sworn in as 10th chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the only person ever to hold both offices. In 1955, Balaji Sadasivan, Singaporean neurosurgeon and politician, Singaporean Minister of Health (died 2010) was born. In 1967, Guy Favreau, Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician, 28th Canadian Minister of Justice (born 1917) passed away. In 1971, John W. Campbell, American journalist and author (born 1910) passed away. In 1979, Claude Wagner, Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician (born 1925) passed away. In 1981, Susana Barreiros, Venezuelan judge was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.