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 1909, Alan Brown, English soldier (died 1971) was born. In 1917, Pamela Brown, English actress (died 1975) was born. In 1917, J. F. Powers, American novelist and short story writer (died 1999) was born. In 1970, Richard Nixon delivers a special congressional message enunciating Native American self-determination as official US Indian policy, leading to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975. In 1982, A failed assassination attempt against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein results in the Dujail Massacre over the next several months. In 1991, James Franciscus, American actor (born 1934) 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, Kim Il Sung, North Korean commander and politician, President of North Korea (born 1912) passed away. In 1997, Bryce Love, American football player was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.