Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1801, French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons makes his first comet discovery. In the next 27 years he discovers another 36 comets, more than any other person in history. In 1906, Murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in the United States, inspiration for Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. In 1914, The US Navy launches the USS Nevada (BB-36) as its first standard-type battleship. In 1919, The eight-hour day and free Sunday become law for workers in the Netherlands. In 1922, The Hollywood Bowl opens. In 1930, Harold Bloom, American literary critic (died 2019) was born. In 1930, Trevor Storer, English businessman, founded Pukka Pies (died 2013) was born. In 1978, Los Alfaques disaster: A truck carrying liquid gas crashes and explodes at a coastal campsite in Tarragona, Spain killing 216 tourists. In 1979, America's first space station, Skylab, is destroyed as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. In 1983, A TAME airline Boeing 737-200 crashes near Cuenca, Ecuador, killing all 119 passengers and crew on board. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.