Today in News History

On July 6, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1782, Maria Luisa of Spain (died 1824) was born. In 1789, María Isabella of Spain (died 1846) was born. In 1823, Sophie Adlersparre, Swedish publisher, writer, and women's rights activist (died 1895) was born. In 1873, Dimitrios Maximos, Greek banker and politician, 140th Prime Minister of Greece (died 1955) was born. In 1937, Spanish Civil War: Battle of Brunete: The battle begins with Spanish Republican troops going on the offensive against the Nationalists to relieve pressure on Madrid. In 1944, The Hartford circus fire, one of America's worst fire disasters, kills approximately 168 people and injures over 700 in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1988, The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires. One hundred sixty-seven oil workers are killed, making it the world's worst offshore oil disaster in terms of direct loss of life. In 1997, The Troubles: In response to the Drumcree dispute, five days of mass protests, riots and gun battles begin in Irish nationalist districts of Northern Ireland. In 2013, A 73-car oil train derails in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec and explodes into flames, killing at least 47 people and destroying more than 30 buildings in the town's central area. In 2013, At least 42 people are killed in a shooting at a school in Yobe State, Nigeria. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.