Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1774, Orangetown Resolutions are adopted in the Province of New York, one of many protests against the British Parliament's Coercive Acts. In 1776, American Revolution: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress. In 1818, US Flag Act of 1818 goes into effect creating a 13 stripe flag with a star for each state. New stars would be added on July 4 after a new state had been admitted. In 1832, John Neal delivers the first public lecture in the US to advocate the rights of women. In 1910, The Johnson-Jeffries riots occur after African-American boxer Jack Johnson knocks out white boxer Jim Jeffries in the 15th round. Between 11 and 26 people are killed and hundreds more injured. In 1911, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Alaskan-American civil rights activist (died 1958) was born. In 1941, Nazi crimes against the Polish nation: Nazi troops massacre Polish scientists and writers in the captured Ukrainian city of Lviv. In 1994, Rwandan genocide: Kigali, the Rwandan capital, is captured by the Rwandan Patriotic Front, ending the genocide in the city. In 2006, Space Shuttle program: Discovery launches STS-121 to the International Space Station. The event gained wide media attention as it was the only shuttle launch in the program's history to occur on the United States' Independence Day. In 2008, A bomb explodes at a concert in Minsk's Independence Square, injuring 50 people. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.