Today in News History

On July 9, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 551, A major earthquake strikes Beirut, triggering a devastating tsunami that affects the coastal towns of Byzantine Phoenicia, causing thousands of deaths. In 1821, Four hundred and seventy prominent Cypriots including Archbishop Kyprianos are executed in response to Cypriot aid to the Greek War of Independence. In 1950, Viktor Yanukovych, Ukrainian engineer and politician, 4th President of Ukraine was born. In 1955, The Russell-Einstein Manifesto calls for a reduction of the risk of nuclear warfare. In 1961, Greece becomes the first member state to join the European Economic Community by signing the Athens Agreement, which was suspended in 1967 during the Greek junta. In 1982, Alecko Eskandarian, American soccer player and manager was born. In 1993, Metin Altıok, Turkish poet and educator (born 1940) passed away. In 2004, The Senate Report on Iraqi WMD Intelligence is released by the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, casting doubt on the rationale for the Iraq War. In 2004, Paul Klebnikov, American journalist and historian (born 1963) passed away. In 2011, South Sudan gains independence and secedes from Sudan. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.