Today in News History

On July 11, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 813, Byzantine emperor Michael I, under threat by conspiracies, abdicates in favor of his general Leo the Armenian, and becomes a monk (under the name Athanasius). In 1754, Thomas Bowdler, English physician and philanthropist (died 1825) was born. In 1911, Erna Flegel, German nurse who was still present in the Führerbunker when it was captured by Soviet troops (died 2006) was born. In 1912, William F. Walsh, American captain and politician, 48th Mayor of Syracuse (died 2011) was born. In 1927, Theodore Maiman, American-Canadian physicist and engineer (died 2007) was born. In 1953, Ivan Toms, South African physician and activist (died 2008) was born. In 1955, Balaji Sadasivan, Singaporean neurosurgeon and politician, Singaporean Minister of Health (died 2010) was born. In 1973, Varig Flight 820 crashes near Paris on approach to Orly Airport, killing 123 of the 134 on board. In response, the FAA bans smoking in airplane lavatories. In 1977, Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated in 1968, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2008, Michael E. DeBakey, American surgeon and educator (born 1908) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.