Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1776, Church bells (possibly including the Liberty Bell) are rung after John Nixon delivers the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. In 1864, Ikedaya Incident: The Choshu Han shishi's planned Shinsengumi sabotage on Kyoto, Japan at Ikedaya. In 1918, Paul B. Fay, American businessman, soldier, and diplomat, 12th United States Secretary of the Navy (died 2009) was born. In 1960, Francis Gary Powers is charged with espionage resulting from his flight over the Soviet Union. In 1961, Ces Drilon, Filipino journalist was born. In 1962, Ne Win besieges and blows up the Rangoon University Student Union building to crush the Student Movement. In 1972, Israeli Mossad assassinate Palestinian writer Ghassan Kanafani. In 1977, Milo Ventimiglia, American actor, director, and producer was born. In 1982, A failed assassination attempt against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein results in the Dujail Massacre over the next several months. In 1998, Jaden Smith, American actor and rapper was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.