Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1543, King Henry VIII of England marries his sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr, at Hampton Court Palace. In 1789, In response to the dismissal of the French finance minister Jacques Necker, the radical journalist Camille Desmoulins gives a speech which results in the storming of the Bastille two days later. In 1870, Louis II, Prince of Monaco (died 1949) was born. In 1918, The Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kawachi blows up at Shunan, western Honshu, Japan, killing at least 621. In 1927, Harley Hotchkiss, Canadian businessman (died 2011) was born. In 1928, Imero Fiorentino, American lighting designer (died 2013) was born. In 1961, Indian city Pune floods due to failure of the Khadakwasla and Panshet dams, killing at least two thousand people. In 1969, Chantal Jouanno, French politician, French Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports was born. In 1984, Michael McGovern, Northern Irish footballer was born. In 2006, The 2006 Lebanon War begins. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.