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 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 1915, Neil D. Van Sickle, American Air Force major general (died 2019) was born. In 1918, Paul B. Fay, American businessman, soldier, and diplomat, 12th United States Secretary of the Navy (died 2009) was born. In 1968, The Chrysler wildcat strike begins in Detroit, Michigan. In 1981, Joe McDonnell (hunger striker), Irish Republican Army member (born 1951) passed away. In 1994, Kim Jong Il begins to assume supreme leadership of North Korea upon the death of his father, Kim Il Sung. In 1994, Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on an international science mission. In 1997, Bryce Love, American football player was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.