Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1876, The Hamburg massacre prior to the 1876 United States presidential election results in the deaths of six African-Americans of the Republican Party, along with one white assailant. In 1898, The death of crime boss Soapy Smith, killed in the Shootout on Juneau Wharf, releases Skagway, Alaska from his iron grip. In 1935, John David Crow, American football player and coach (died 2015) was born. In 1947, Reports are broadcast that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico in what became known as the Roswell UFO incident. In 1948, Ruby Sales, American civil-rights activist was born. In 1962, Ne Win besieges and blows up the Rangoon University Student Union building to crush the Student Movement. In 1968, The Chrysler wildcat strike begins in Detroit, Michigan. In 1982, A failed assassination attempt against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein results in the Dujail Massacre over the next several months. In 1982, Hakim Warrick, American basketball player was born. In 2002, Ward Kimball, American animator and trombonist (born 1914) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.