Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1817, In Rome, New York, construction on the Erie Canal begins. In 1837, Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway, opens between Birmingham and Liverpool. In 1897, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Indian activist (died 1924) was born. In 1932, Aurèle Vandendriessche, Belgian runner (died 2023) was born. In 1947, The "Indian Independence Bill" is presented before the British House of Commons, proposing the independence of the Provinces of British India into two sovereign countries: India and Pakistan. In 1963, Sonia Pierre, Haitian-Dominican human rights activist (died 2011) was born. In 1977, The George Jackson Brigade plants a bomb at the main power substation for the Washington state capitol in Olympia, in solidarity with a prison strike at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary Intensive Security Unit. In 2004, The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower is laid on the World Trade Center site in New York City. In 2012, Hiren Bhattacharyya, Indian poet and author (born 1932) passed away. In 2018, Robby Müller, Dutch cinematographer (born 1940) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.