Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1776, Church bells (possibly including the Liberty Bell) are rung after John Nixon delivers the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. In 1820, Octavia Taylor, daughter of Zachary Taylor (born 1816) passed away. In 1917, J. F. Powers, American novelist and short story writer (died 1999) was born. In 1944, Jeffrey Tambor, American actor and singer was born. In 1961, Andrew Fletcher, English keyboard player (died 2022) was born. In 1970, Richard Nixon delivers a special congressional message enunciating Native American self-determination as official US Indian policy, leading to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975. In 1987, Gerardo Diego, Spanish poet and author (born 1896) passed away. In 2006, June Allyson, American actress and singer (born 1917) passed away. In 2013, Edmund Morgan, American historian and author (born 1916) passed away. In 2015, James Tate, American poet (born 1943) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.