Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1170, A major earthquake hits Syria, badly damaging towns such as Hama and Shaizar and structures such as the Krak des Chevaliers and the cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch. In 1457, The Dutch city of Dordrecht is devastated by fire. In 1764, One of the strongest tornadoes in history strikes Woldegk, Germany, killing one person while leveling numerous mansions with winds estimated greater than 300 miles per hour (480 km/h). In 1801, Frédéric Bastiat, French economist and theorist (died 1850) was born. In 1864, At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada's worst railway disaster after a train fails to stop for an open drawbridge and plunges into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec. In 1868, George Ellery Hale, American astronomer and journalist (died 1938) was born. In 1912, Émile Peynaud, French oenologist and academic (died 2004) was born. In 1915, The North Saskatchewan River flood of 1915 is the worst flood in Edmonton history. In 1927, Marie Thérèse Killens, Canadian politician was born. In 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.