Today in News History

On July 1, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1643, First meeting of the Westminster Assembly, a council of theologians ("divines") and members of the Parliament of England appointed to restructure the Church of England, at Westminster Abbey in London. In 1881, The world's first international telephone call is made between St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, and Calais, Maine, United States. In 1957, The International Geophysical Year begins. In 1958, Flooding of Canada's Saint Lawrence Seaway begins. In 1963, David Wood, American lawyer and environmentalist (died 2006) was born. In 1968, The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is signed in Washington, D.C., London and Moscow by sixty-two countries. In 1978, The Northern Territory in Australia is granted self-government. In 1999, The Scottish Parliament is officially opened by Elizabeth II on the day that legislative powers are officially transferred from the old Scottish Office in London to the new devolved Scottish Executive in Edinburgh. In Wales, the powers of the Welsh Secretary are transferred to the National Assembly. In 2007, Smoking in England is banned in all public indoor spaces. In 2008, Riots erupt in Mongolia in response to allegations of fraud surrounding the 2008 legislative elections. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.