Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1682, Jean Picard, French priest and astronomer (born 1620) passed away. In 1749, Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois, French navy officer and politician, Governor General of New France (born 1671) passed away. In 1789, In response to the dismissal of the French finance minister Jacques Necker, the radical journalist Camille Desmoulins gives a speech which results in the storming of the Bastille two days later. In 1813, Claude Bernard, French physiologist and academic (died 1878) was born. In 1920, Pierre Berton, Canadian journalist and author (died 2004) was born. In 1928, Alastair Burnet, English journalist (died 2012) was born. In 1937, Lionel Jospin, French civil servant and politician, 165th Prime Minister of France was born. In 1962, Luc De Vos, Belgian singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2014) was born. In 1997, François Furet, French historian and author (born 1927) passed away. In 2013, Six people are killed and 200 injured in a French passenger train derailment in Brétigny-sur-Orge. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.