Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1576, While exploring the North Atlantic Ocean in an attempt to find the Northwest Passage, Martin Frobisher sights Greenland, mistaking it for the hypothesized (but non-existent) island of "Frisland". In 1735, Mathematical calculations suggest that it is on this day that dwarf planet Pluto moved inside the orbit of Neptune for the last time before 1979. 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 1836, The Fly-fisher's Entomology is published by Alfred Ronalds. The book transformed the sport and went to many editions. In 1849, N. E. Brown, English plant taxonomist and authority on succulents (died 1934) was born. In 1923, Richard Pipes, Polish-American historian and academic (died 2018) was born. In 1927, Theodore Maiman, American-Canadian physicist and engineer (died 2007) was born. In 1979, America's first space station, Skylab, is destroyed as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. In 1985, Orestis Karnezis, Greek footballer was born. In 1995, Yugoslav Wars: Srebrenica massacre begins; lasts until 22 July. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.