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 1839, John D. Rockefeller, American businessman and philanthropist, founded the Standard Oil Company (died 1937) was born. In 1889, The first issue of The Wall Street Journal is published. In 1908, Nelson Rockefeller, American businessman and politician, 41st Vice President of the United States (died 1979) was born. In 1942, Phil Gramm, American economist and politician was born. In 1947, Reports are broadcast that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico in what became known as the Roswell UFO incident. In 1948, Ruby Sales, American civil-rights activist was born. In 1968, The Chrysler wildcat strike begins in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2011, Betty Ford, First Lady of the United States (born 1918) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.