Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1911, A massive heat wave strikes the northeastern United States, killing 380 people in eleven days and breaking temperature records in several cities. In 1937, Richard Rhodes, American journalist and historian was born. In 1938, Bill Withers, American singer-songwriter and producer (died 2020) was born. In 1941, Nazi crimes against the Polish nation: Nazi troops massacre Polish scientists and writers in the captured Ukrainian city of Lviv. In 1943, Geraldo Rivera, American lawyer, journalist, and author was born. In 1977, The George Jackson Brigade plants a bomb at the main power substation for the Washington state capitol in Olympia, in solidarity with a prison strike at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary Intensive Security Unit. In 2006, Space Shuttle program: Discovery launches STS-121 to the International Space Station. The event gained wide media attention as it was the only shuttle launch in the program's history to occur on the United States' Independence Day. In 2008, Jesse Helms, American politician (born 1921) passed away. In 2008, A bomb explodes at a concert in Minsk's Independence Square, injuring 50 people. In 2009, The Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to the public after eight years of closure due to security concerns following the September 11 attacks. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.