Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1861, William James Mayo, American physician and surgeon, co-founded the Mayo Clinic (died 1939) was born. In 1924, Philip H. Hoff, American politician (died 2018) was born. In 1936, Harmon Killebrew, American baseball player (died 2011) was born. In 1942, Mike Willesee, Australian journalist and producer (died 2019) was born. In 1971, Prior to re-entry (following a record-setting stay aboard the Soviet Union's Salyut 1 space station), the crew capsule of the Soyuz 11 spacecraft depressurizes, killing the three cosmonauts on board. Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev are the first humans to die in space. In 1995, The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937. In 2002, Naval clashes between South Korea and North Korea lead to the death of six South Korean sailors and sinking of a North Korean vessel. In 2007, Joel Siegel, American journalist and critic (born 1943) passed away. In 2012, A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power. In 2014, The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant self-declares its caliphate in Syria and northern Iraq. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.