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 1864, At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada's worst railway disaster after a train fails to stop for an open drawbridge and plunges into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec. In 1909, Harold Edward Dahl, American pilot and mercenary (died 1956) was born. In 1913, Earle Meadows, American pole vaulter (died 1992) was born. In 1962, George D. Zamka, American colonel, pilot, and astronaut was born. In 1984, Aleksandr Shustov, Russian high jumper was born. In 1995, The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937. In 2007, Joel Siegel, American journalist and critic (born 1943) passed away. In 2009, Joe Bowman, American, target shooter and boot-maker (born 1925) passed away. In 2014, The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant self-declares its caliphate in Syria and northern Iraq. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.