Today in News History

On July 5, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1849, William Thomas Stead, English journalist (died 1912) was born. In 1852, Frederick Douglass delivers his "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" speech in Rochester, New York. In 1883, Gustave Lanctot, Canadian historian, author, and academic (died 1975) was born. In 1915, The Liberty Bell leaves Philadelphia by special train on its way to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This is the last trip outside Philadelphia that the custodians of the bell intend to permit. In 1916, Lívia Rév, Hungarian classical pianist (died 2018) was born. In 1924, János Starker, Hungarian-American cellist and educator (died 2013) was born. In 1940, Chuck Close, American painter and photographer (died 2021) was born. In 1945, Michael Blake, American author and screenwriter (died 2015) was born. In 1978, Allan Simonsen, Danish race car driver (died 2013) was born. In 1983, Taavi Peetre, Estonian shot putter (died 2010) was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.