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 1909, Ike Petersen, American football player (died 1995) was born. In 1917, J. F. Powers, American novelist and short story writer (died 1999) was born. In 1945, Micheline Calmy-Rey, Swiss politician, 91st President of the Swiss Confederation was born. 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 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 1994, Kim Jong Il begins to assume supreme leadership of North Korea upon the death of his father, Kim Il Sung. In 1997, Bryce Love, American football player was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.