Today in News History

On July 8, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1545, Carlos, Prince of Asturias (died 1568) was born. In 1621, Jean de La Fontaine, French author and poet (died 1695) was born. In 1709, Peter I of Russia defeats Charles XII of Sweden at the Battle of Poltava, thus effectively ending Sweden's status as a major power in Europe. In 1857, Alfred Binet, French psychologist and graphologist (died 1911) was born. In 1864, Ikedaya Incident: The Choshu Han shishi's planned Shinsengumi sabotage on Kyoto, Japan at Ikedaya. 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 1958, Andreas Carlgren, Swedish educator and politician, 8th Swedish Minister for the Environment was born. In 1966, King Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng of Burundi is deposed by his son Prince Charles Ndizi. In 1988, The Island Express train travelling from Bangalore to Kanyakumari derails on the Peruman bridge and falls into Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala in India killing 105 passengers and injuring over 200 more. In 2012, Ernest Borgnine, American actor (born 1917) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.