Today in News History

On June 29, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1170, A major earthquake hits Syria, badly damaging towns such as Hama and Shaizar and structures such as the Krak des Chevaliers and the cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch. In 1873, Leo Frobenius, German ethnologist and archaeologist (died 1938) was born. In 1881, Curt Sachs, German-American composer and musicologist (died 1959) was born. In 1888, Squizzy Taylor, Australian gangster (died 1927) was born. In 1924, Roy Walford, American pathologist and gerontologist (died 2004) was born. In 1957, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Turkmen dentist and politician, 2nd President of Turkmenistan was born. In 1981, Shmuly Yanklowitz, American rabbi, author, and educator was born. In 1995, The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937. In 2002, Naval clashes between South Korea and North Korea lead to the death of six South Korean sailors and sinking of a North Korean vessel. In 2007, Joel Siegel, American journalist and critic (born 1943) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.