Today in News History

On July 11, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 154, Bardaisan, Syrian astrologer, scholar, and philosopher (died 222) was born. In 813, Byzantine emperor Michael I, under threat by conspiracies, abdicates in favor of his general Leo the Armenian, and becomes a monk (under the name Athanasius). In 1174, Baldwin IV, 13, becomes King of Jerusalem, with Raymond III, Count of Tripoli as regent and William of Tyre as chancellor. In 1346, Charles IV, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, is elected King of the Romans. In 1382, Nicole Oresme, French philosopher (born 1325) passed away. In 1723, Jean-François Marmontel, French historian and author (died 1799) was born. In 1882, The British Mediterranean Fleet begins the Bombardment of Alexandria in Egypt as part of the Anglo-Egyptian War. In 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is first published, in the United States. In 1977, Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated in 1968, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1986, Raúl García, Spanish footballer was born. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.