Detroit Free Press printing facility to close in Sterling Heights

Officials report that the owners of the Free Press, Gannett, did not come to terms with the landlord to renew the lease.

Wednesday Morning in the Blogosphere

 Philippine super market  

Women Editors Reflect on the Changing Face of Print - PI World

Is it time to reimagine micropayments — for real this time? - E&P Magazine

New York Times revenue jumps 9.7% from subscriptions, ads  - The New York Times

Stop the presses? Does print have more of a future in media than we think? - Local News Initiative

Inside the Detroit newspapers' printing facility days before its August shutdown - Detroit Free Press

News Corp’s Australian newspaper revenue falls as CEO warns Trump of AI’s art of the steal - Guardian

Important Events From This day in History August 6

 

6 Aug, 1945 Nuclear Bomb Hiroshima

1945 : An atomic bomb was used containing more power than 12,000 tons of TNT and producing more than 2,000 times the blast of the most powerful bomb ever dropped before was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, killing an estimated 140,000 people in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare. The bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" with 130 pounds of uranium-235 produced the equivalent to about 13 kilotons of TNT. On August 9, 1945, America dropped the second Atom bomb on Nagasaki effectively ending the war when Japan announced their surrender.

6 Aug, 1904 U.S.A. President Theodore Roosevelt

1904 : President Theodore Roosevelt was officially notified about his nomination for re-election by the Republican party. The official ceremony took place at Sagamore Hill where Roosevelt had his rural residence. The president had been in the White House for three years.

6 Aug, 1916 U.S.A. Watermelons

1916 : Watermelons have proved to be the bane of existence for army officials, and have been banned by military brass in El Passo. Evidently, the offending melons have rinds which cannot be burned or properly disposed of, causing a plague of flies in the camp. Army fly experts warn that flies can breed disease.

6 Aug, 1925 U.S.A. Public Phone Booths

1925 : With the growing numbers of public phone booths appearing in general stores around the country many are complaining that they do not believe the phone booths are in the public interest, and should not be in places where the public wish to shop.

6 Aug, 1926 Ederle Swims English Channe

1926 : The American Gold Medalist swimmer (Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle) became the first woman to swim the English Channel from Cap Griz-Nez, France to Dover, England in 14 hours and 39 minutes breaking the previous record set by British Navy Captain Matthew Webb in 1875 . Due to the extreme cold water she had covered her body in lard and petroleum jelly to insulate her from the cold waters of the Channel.

6 Aug, 1935 U.S.A. Cryogenics

1935 : In Hollywood, California Dr. Ralph Willard, a doctor who came from the state of Georgia in Russia, has successfully frozen a monkey named Jekal and brought it back to life. The doctor has also frozen guinea pigs and resuscitated them. However, when he wanted to experiment on dogs howls of protest came from humane societies.

6 Aug, 1940 Belgium Famine

1940 : Belgium has appealed to the US for help following A major famine in Belgium. Belgian exports 75 per cent of her wheat. Present supplies with severe rationing -- 25 grams, or half a pound of bread per person per day – will last until September 1 or at least early October.” All industrial activity had stopped and 2,300,000 Belgians were refugees in France, displaced by the German army.

6 Aug, 1951 Korea U.S. Eighth Army

1951 : A fourth straight day of fighting occurred between the allies and Korean forces in western Korea. The U.S. Eighth Army engaged the enemy at dawn and Korean forces launched a counter attack.

6 Aug, 1961 USSR Major Gherman Titov

August 6, 1961 : The Soviet Vostok II spacecraft with Major Gherman Titov spends a full day in orbit over the Earth.

6 Aug, 1965 U.S.A. Voting Rights Act

1965 : President Lyndon Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act, guaranteeing African Americans the right to vote and making it illegal to impose restrictions on federal, state and local elections that were designed to disenfranchise black voters.

6 Aug, 1965 Beatles Release the Album "Help!"

1965 : The Beatles release the soundtrack album "Help!" in 1965 in the UK from the film of the same name. Help! is the Beatles 5th album released and includes the following tracks:

Side One:

"Help!"

"The Night Before"

"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"

"I Need You"

"Another Girl"

"You're Going to Lose That Girl"

"Ticket to Ride"

Side Two:

"Act Naturally"

"It's Only Love"

"You Like Me Too Much"

"Tell Me What You See"

"I've Just Seen a Face"

"Yesterday"

"Dizzy Miss Lizzy"

6 Aug, 1969 Japan 25 years Since Bomb Dropped

1969 : In the city of Hiroshima, Japanese ceremonies were held commemorating the 25th anniversary of dropping the H-bomb when 100,000 Japanese were killed. The attack on Hiroshima was the first time that an atomic bomb had been used in warfare. Shinto and Christian memorial services were held across the city and a minute of silence was observed. The atomic bomb was dropped by Americans on August 6, 1945. On August 6, 1969 antinuclear protests broke out in Hiroshima led by Japanese socialists and communists.

6 Aug, 1971 England Chay Blyth

August 6, 1971 : Chay Blyth docks his yacht British Steel at the Hamble in Hampshire on the south coast after a voyage of 292 days and becomes the first man to sail round the world non-stop in the "wrong" direction - east to west - against the prevailing winds and currents.

6 Aug, 1977 Attempt To Cut Foreign Oil Use

1977 : President Carter got approval in the house for a new energy bill which called for a move away from foreign oil and a more efficient use of energy by Americans. The goal was to save 2-3 million barrels a day. Some opposition was felt in the senate, especially around issues like taxing crude oil and natural gas.

6 Aug, 1978 Italy Pope Paul VI

1978 : Pope Paul VI, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 15 years, died after suffering a major heart attack.

6 Aug, 1985 Israel Suicide Bomber

1985 : In Tel Aviv, Israel, a suicide bomber astride a donkey exploded near a pro-Israeli site in Southern Lebanon. According to Israel Army Radio both the burrow and the bomber were killed and one Lebanese person was wounded.

6 Aug, 1997 Microsoft Buys Stake in Apple Computers

1997 : Microsoft buys a minority stake in struggling Apple Computers for $150 million and they agree to share technology. The deal helped Apple on Wall Street, sending the company's stock up to close at its highest price in over a year. Microsoft no longer owns Apple stock, but this was an important moment in the development of Apple as a major corporation.

Today in Labor History August 6, 2025

 

The Cigar Makers’ International Union of America merged with the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union. – 1974

The American Railway Supervisors Association merged with the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees. – 1980

The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of the US & Canada merged with the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees. – 1986

Workers at Verizon, the nation’s largest local telephone company, launched what was to become an 18-day strike over working conditions and union representation. Nearly 85,000 unionized Verizon workers joined the picket line. – 2000

Tuesday Morning in the Blogosphere

 Zion

Expanding support for family-owned newspapers - America’s Newspapers

Rupert Murdoch Plots a Newspaper War In L.A. - The Hollywood Reporter

Post to Coast: New York Post plans a California newspaper - The Associated Press

What’s next for DEI in newsrooms? Legal risks, political pressure and resilience - E&P

The good, the bad, and the made-up: Newsrooms on wrestling accurate answers out of AI - NL

Important Events From This day in History August 5

 

5 Aug, 1962 U.S.A. Marilyn Monroe

1962 : Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her bedroom, the death was ruled a suicide, as a bottle of empty sleeping pills was found near Monroe's body. Find More What happened in 1962.

5 Aug, 1920 Women’s’ Suffrage Movement

1920 : Senator Harding of Tennessee wired republican leaders to ask for support for the women’s’ suffrage movement in the legislature. The general assembly of Tennessee was on the brink of deciding whether it would support the cause or not. Senator Harding sent telegrams to two leading women in the suffrage movement -- Mrs.Carrie Chapman Catt and Mrs.George Milton -- telling them it looked hopeful for women getting the vote in Tennessee.

5 Aug, 1934 U.S.A. Dust Bowl Years

1934 : Oklahoma experienced a ravaging drought with temperatures reaching 117 degrees, killing both animals and humans. Ten thousand people in this state are on federal relief because of the drought. The cotton crop was only in fair condition. Pastures, crops, and orchards were scorched. Two thousand five hundred livestock were being bought a day by the government to prevent them from starving, however 30,000 beasts have already succumbed.

5 Aug, 1944 Poland Freedom Fighters

1944 : Polish freedom fighters liberate a German forced labor camp in Warsaw, freeing 348 Jewish prisoners, who join in a general uprising against the Germans.

5 Aug, 1901 Dowager Empress Frederick of Germany

1901 : Victoria, Dowager Empress Frederick of Germany has become gravely ill and many royal dignitaries are rushing to her sickbed. An official medical statement read, “The external disease from which her majesty is suffering, and which for years has been slowly increasing, has in the course of the last few weeks extended to the internal regions. Her majesty’s strength is diminishing rapidly … .”

5 Aug, 1947 Great Britain Asks US For Another Loan

1947 : Impoverished by World War II, Britain was looking to America in 1948 for financial help. Winston Churchill offered the Labor party support in appealing to the U.S. for another loan. He accused the British government of wasting the previous loan of $3,150,000 on non-essentials. Churchill pontificated, “There is no shame in one brave and faithful ally, deeply injured in the common struggle, asking for another to help him recover and stand upon his feet.”

5 Aug, 1948 Ecuador Earthquake

1948 : A deadly 6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Ecuador killing 6,000 people and injuring another 20,000 . The quake hit high in the Andes Mountains, about 100 miles south of Quito. The worst-affected cities were Ambato, Guano, Pelileo, Patate and Pillaro, though the tremor caused serious damage over an area of 1,500 square miles. Landslides set off by the quake proved to be the most deadly feature of the disaster. Houses fell down hills and others were buried. Approximately 100,000 people lost their homes. The landslides also caused some flooding by changing water-flow patterns. Some of the victims lost their lives to drowning.

5 Aug, 1954 Terrible New Clothes Fashions

1954 : Col. John H. Dilley, a hardened warrior who distinguished himself in Africa during World War II, wasn’t scorned today because of his military advice. He was outspoken about his views on clothing worn by American women. Clothing, which he said looked awful. His forbidden list included halter tops, revealing bathing suits, shorts, strapless dresses, and even blue jeans. In the wake of his remarks some women became furious. One retorted that female freedom was at stake, not just clothing.

5 Aug, 1957 U.S.A. "American Bandstand"

1957 : "American Bandstand," which featured teenagers dancing to Top 40 chart music hosted by Dick Clark, makes its network debut on ABC. The show had been running as a local show since it was introduced on Philadelphia television station WFIL-TV (Channel 6, now WPVI-TV) on October 7th, 1952 and ran until the show ended in 1989.

5 Aug, 1963 Soviet Union Test Ban Treaty

1963 : A partial nuclear test ban treaty was signed by the United States, Britain and Russia, the ban ends testing in the atmosphere, outer space and underwater.

Today in Labor History August 5, 2025

 

Using clubs, police routed 1.500 jobless men who had stormed the plant of the Fruit Growers Express Company in Indiana Harbor, Indiana, demanding jobs. – 1931

During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the National Labor Board to enforce the right of collective bargaining. Ultimately declared illegal by the Supreme Court, it was replaced two years later by the National Labor Relations Board. – 1933

President Ronald Reagan fired the striking members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), declaring the work stoppage illegal. Reagan’s action crushed the union and set the tone for labor-management relations across the country for the ensuing 30 years, with employers beginning to take a tougher stance against unions and increasingly relying on strikebreakers and mass firings.  – 1981

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) took effect on this day. The first law signed by President Clinton, it required employers to provide employees job-protected and unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. Qualified medical and family reasons include: personal or family illness, family military leave, pregnancy, adoption, or the foster care placement of a child. The FMLA is administered by the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. – 1993

Monday Morning in the Blogosphere

 Rice fields in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines 

Radio profitability rises after a 30-year low - RTDNA

What to do when an editor 'ghosts' you - Journalism UK

The New York Post to launch The California Post newspaper in LA - Axios

The Exodus from the Washington Post - Columbia Journalism Review

In Detroit, a powerful case is made for saving local journalism - E&P Reports

HIG Capital Closes $1 Billion Acquisition of Analytics Company Kantar Media - Media News

Important Events From This day in History August 4

 

4 Aug, 1892 Lizzie Borden

1892 : The parents of Lizzie Borden (Andrew and Abby Borden) were found murdered at their home in Massachusetts. And although never found guilty the following rhyme is remembered even to this day:

Lizzie Borden took an ax,

And gave her mother forty whacks,

When she saw what she had done,

She gave her father forty-one.

4 Aug, 1932 U.S.A. Warren G. Harding

1932 : Warren G. Harding, former president of the United States, lay in a funeral train as people from all stations of life bared their heads and bowed. Some were in groups of hundreds, others in dozens. Military men were to escort Harding’s remains from the White House to Washington for the funeral. Harding’s remains were to lie in state at the White House. His successor was Calvin Coolidge.

4 Aug, 1941 Nazi Troops Within 50 miles of Kiev

1941 : Nazi troops marched within 50 miles of Kiev. Both Russians and Nazis reported catastrophic casualties in the 44 day battle. Hitler’s high commissioners boasted that 2,300 Soviets were dead, 71 tanks were captured, and 10,000 Russian soldiers were taken captive. Russia claimed that in a counteroffensive they killed 1,000 Nazis, and wrecked 100 tanks. Mussolini summed World War II up to his troops, “the line-up is now complete between the two worlds with Rome, Berlin, and Tokyo on one side and London, Washington, and Moscow, on the other.”

4 Aug, 1944 Anne Frank Captured

1944 : The Nazi Gestapo captures 15-year-old Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family in a sealed-off area of an Amsterdam warehouse.

4 Aug, 1950 U.S.A. Polio Cases Increase

1950 : Both Snyder and Abilene in Texas had a total of six polio cases involving children recently, which indicates and upswing in this disease. One child was so badly affected that she had to be on a respirator.

4 Aug, 1964 Three Civil Rights Workers Bodies Found

1964 : Three civil rights workers (Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney) were found buried in a partially constructed dam near Philadelphia, Mississippi. after disappearing more than a month before, police are investigating if members of the Ku Klux Klan are responsible.

4 Aug, 1967 Nuclear Worries Over China

1967 : The world’s nuclear fears were aroused when China exploded an H-bomb on June 17th, 1966, under the presidency of Mao Tse-tung. An editorial a year later in The Ada Evening News focused on fear mongering about nuclear war and remembered the horrors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima 22 years before the Chinese got the bomb.

4 Aug, 1972 Governor George Wallace

1972 : Arthur Bremer, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been found guilty of the shooting and attempted murder of White House hopeful Mr Wallace at a political rally in Laurel, Maryland on 15th May. He has been sentenced to 63 years in jail by a court in Maryland, USA. Mr Wallace, was paralyzed by the shots and three other people were injured in the incident.

4 Aug, 1972 Philippines Monsoon

August 4, 1972 : Floodwaters finally recede revealing total devastation and hundreds dead. During July in the monsoon season nearly 70 inches of rain fell causing several dikes to fail and less than a week later, a typhoon dropped even more rain on the already saturated region causing more dikes throughout the area to fail causing many hundreds of thousands of acres to flood and leaving many dead and many more homeless , following on Cholera and typhoid epidemics broke out and because most of the crops had also been damaged food also became scarce.

4 Aug, 1978 Lebanon Israeli Attack

1978 : An Israeli air attack on southern Lebanon occurred in retaliation for a Palestinian bombing of a Tel Aviv market place. The Israelis claimed that the Palestinian bomb contained nails and ball bearings, killing one and wounding 48. Israelis planes bombed a guerrilla headquarters in Dahar-a-Tutah.

4 Aug, 1989 Savings and Loan Crisis

1989 : The Savings and Loan crisis which involved more than 500 savings and loan associations led President George Herbert Bush to consider a $150 billion bail out in an unprecedented piece of legislature. The Ways and Means Committee Chairperson, Dan Rostenkowski and his partners, were opposed to the bill. If the bill passed, $75 million a year would go to the Justice Department to be the watch dog for institutional fraud. The reasons believed to cause the problems for the Savings and loan institutions included the issue of the new high-interest money-market funds, long term mortgages at low fixed interest rates (Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 10.50% from our 1989), and finally poor lending practices to to risky ventures.

4 Aug, 1999 ATM Usage Goes Down

1999 : The Bank News Network has discovered that there has been a drop in the usage of ATM machines. Angry consumers are annoyed by the service charges for ATM usage and there is a 2.9% decrease in ATM transactions. This is the first time in a decade that there has been a decrease. Debit card transactions, however, have increased 35%.

Today in Labor History August 4, 2025

 Teamsters on Strike

The Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers is formed. It partnered with the Steel Workers Organizing Committee, CIO in 1935; both organizations disbanded in 1942 to form the new United Steelworkers. – 1876

15,000 silk workers went on strike in Paterson, N.J. for 44 hour week. – 1919

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, led by President Ron Carey, went on strike at UPS. Involving 185,000 IBT members, the strike effectively shut down UPS operations for 16 days and cost UPS hundreds of millions of dollars. This victory for the union resulted in a new contract that increased wages, secured their existing benefits and gave increased job security. – 1997

Saturday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutting down - Politico

TV news profitability drops to lowest level since 2010 - RTNDA

Newsrooms Need to Get Tougher on All That Lying - Second Rough Draft

Boosting Black journalism and the communities they serve - E&P Magazine

Felony charges dropped against 2 Ohio journalists arrested during immigration protest - AP

Nonprofit news sites are built to generate impact — but these are also generating audiences - NL

Important Events From This day in History August 2

 

2 Aug, 1934 Germany Hitler

1934 : Adolf Hitler, the chancellor of Germany, became the country's Fuhrer (president and chancellor) today after German President Paul Von Hindenburg died.

2 Aug, 1914 US to Give Britain Credit

1914 : As a result of the economic instability caused by World War I, American bankers were seriously considering an issue of emergency currency within a week’s time. In Washington a conference between President Woodrow Wilson and New York Foreign exchange officials were going to discuss the possibility of allowing England an unprecedented amount of $100,000,000 credit.

2 Aug, 1929 U.S.A. Drought Conditions

1929 : A heat wave and near drought conditions occurring in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Western Missouri. The temperature was over 100 degrees and in Kansas it reached 107 degrees which was the hottest temperature the weather station had ever recorded.

2 Aug, 1939 World War I Propaganda

1939 : The German People, under the iron-clad command of Adolf Hitler, were ordered to celebrate the outbreak of World War I, which had happened 25 years before. The anniversary became a military holiday. Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, wrote in German newspapers of the time that Germany’s army had vastly improved since the 1914-1918 World War, which he trumpeted as a “heroic battle”. A German newspaper, Deutsche Allgemaine Zeitung proclaimed “… as long as Germans live they will remember their heroic sons of the World War days and will hold the memory of their deeds in the highest esteem.”

2 Aug, 1943 PT-109 Commanded by Lt. John F. Kennedy

1943 : The future president Lt. John F. Kennedy of the United States command, the PT-109 is sunk by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri while on patrol near the Solomon Islands. The future president was credited with saving members of his crew.

2 Aug, 1949 U.S.A. Bob Hope

1949 : Comedian, Bob Hope ended up in Hollywood’s Presbyterian Hospital as a result of been bucked off by his fake steed while working on a Hollywood film set. Hope was straddling a barrel rocked by Lucille Ball when it rolled over and sent him flying. He was under doctor’s orders to stay quiet in a hospital bed for several days, since the accident knocked him unconscious.

2 Aug, 1955 China US Prisoners To Be Released

1955 : After spending 32 months in a Chinese prison, eleven U.A. military airmen, who the Chinese accused of spying, were to be released. In Geneva, the Chinese Ambassador admitted that the freed airmen should be in Hong Kong by Thursday. The prisoners were shot down in their B29 aircraft which crashed on January 12th, 1953. Their capture and imprisonment had put a major strain on Chinese-American relations.

2 Aug, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Attack On Maddox

1964 : Three North Vietnamese torpedo boats launch torpedoes against The US Destroyer Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin. On the 4th, North Vietnamese patrol boats again attack Maddox which resulted in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which allowed US Forces to attack North Vietnamese basis in retaliation.

2 Aug, 1965 France Forest Fire Engulfs Camp Sites

1965 : Forest fires in the French Riviera in the south of France have forced hundreds of holiday makers onto the beaches, with many losing all their possessions when they left campsites and homes in the forest for the safety of the sea where they have been collecting. The French authorities have dispatched mine sweepers and other craft to pick up the survivors from the beaches.

2 Aug, 1973 Isle of Man Holiday Resort Fire

August 2, 1973 : The Summerland complex Holiday Leisure resort in Douglas, Isle Of Man has gone up in flames trapping hundreds inside the seven story building, fire crews were quickly on the scene and many of the occupants were bought to safety but it is estimated over 50 may well have been killed in the fire.

2 Aug, 1980 Bologna Terrorist Bomb

1980 : A bomb planted by right wing terrorists in a waiting room explodes in Bologna railway station, killing over 70 and injuring more than 200.

2 Aug, 1985 U.S.A. Jumbo Jet Plane Crash

1985 : A Delta Air Lines jumbo jet crashed and exploded Friday during a sudden and violent thunderstorm on its final approach to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport killing as many as 130 people.

2 Aug, 1988 Russian Bases On Show To US Defense Secretary

1988 : American Defense Secretary, Frank Carlucci, got a rare view of Russian military bases and armaments after his Soviet counterparts were allowed the same privilege in America. In The Capital, Mr. Carlucci commented, “The American people through me can see what the Soviet military is doing and can learn about their attitudes and doctrine. Russian defense minister, Dmitri Yazov explained that the U.S. and Russia could now be direct with each other and stop the posturing and diplomatic jargon.

Today in Labor History August 2, 2025

 

Albert “Ginger” Goodwin

The first General Strike in Canadian history was held in Vancouver, organized as a 1-day political protest against the killing of draft evader and labor activist Albert “Ginger” Goodwin, who had called for a general strike in the event that any worker was drafted against his will. – 1918

George Vanderveer was born on this date. Vanderveer served as the attorney for the Centralia Wobblies (IWW) and was one of the very few lawyers willing to represent Industrial Workers of the World during and after World War I. He represented the defendants in the Everett and Centralia massacres, as well as workers and labor unions during and after the Seattle General Strike of 1919. – 1875

The Hatch Act was passed on this day. Its main provision prohibits employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president, vice-president, and certain designated high-level officials of that branch, from engaging in some forms of political activity. The law was named for Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico. It was most recently amended in 2012. – 1939

Important Events From This day in History July 30

 

1966 England World Cup

1966 : England win the World Cup in extra time at Wembley Stadium 4 to 2 . At the end of full time the score is 2 to 2 and England's Geoff Hurst scored first to give England a 3 to 2 lead and in the dying seconds of extra time he scores his third goal, making the final score 4 to 2 and giving England the world cup, this was also the first time a world cup is televised live. Learn more in our History of Soccer section.

1920 U.S.A. California Census

1920 : The latest census on five California counties has been announced today in Washington:

El Dorado 6,246 Latest 2006 Census Info 2006 (178,066)

Glen County 11,850 Latest Census Info 2006 (28,061)

San Benito 8,895 Latest Census Info 2006 (55,842)

Siskiyo County 15,545 Latest Census Info 2006 (45,901)

Yolo County 17,105 Latest Census Info 2006 (188,085)

1931 New Long Distance Flying Record

1931 : Russel Boardman and John Polando land their Monoplane in Istanbul, Turkey today in 49 hrs and 20 minutes since leaving New York setting a new long distance non stop world record.

1935 First Penguin Paperback

1935 : The first Penguin paperback book costing 6d is published in England and started the paperback revolution, many believed it would not be profitable but following the purchase of 63,000 books by Woolworth within 12 months one million Penguin books are sold.

1943 Germany Adolf Hitler

1943 : Adolf Hitler is informed that Italy is planning to negotiate surrender terms with the Allies in light of Mussolini's fall from power.

1953 U.S.A. Communist Leaders Arrested

1953 : The FBI has seized 6 communist leaders from the city of Philadelphia on charges of teaching and advocating the overthrow of the government, this brings the total of those arrested for similar offences around the nation to 87.

1954 U.S.A. Elvis Presley

1954 : Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," made his first professional performance at the Overton Park Shell Concert in Memphis singing That's Alright Mama and Blue Moon of Kentucky as the opening act for Slim Whitman and Billy Walker.

1956 U.S.A. "In God We Trust" Added

1956 : President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be the nation’s official motto. The law, P.L. 84-140, also required that the phrase be printed on all American paper currency.

1965 U.S.A. Social Security Act

1965 : The Social Security Act of 1965 was signed by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson which established the nation's Medicare and Medicaid programs, financed by higher Social Security payroll taxes.

1971 Japan Mid Air Collision

1971 : A mid-air collision between a Boeing 727 and a fighter jet flying without radar in Japan kills 162 people.

1971 Lunar Rover Used For First Time

1971 : Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin land on the moon with the first lunar rover used to begin exploring the moon's surface.

1973 UK Thalidomide

1973 : Eleven years after the start of parents fight for compensation for children born with birth defects caused through the use of the thalidomide drug (1958 - 1961) to ease morning sickness during pregnancy, The Distillers drugs company who marketed thalidomide have agreed to pay more than £20 million in compensation.

1974 Cyprus Peace Deal

1974 : Following the invasion of Turkish troops on July 21st, Greece and Turkey and the British Foreign Secretary have signed a peace agreement to end the crisis in Cyprus.

1974 Nixon Releases Watergate Tapes

1974 : On July 30, under coercion from the Supreme Court, President Nixon finally releases the Watergate tapes to the House Judiciary Committee, within ten days of the tapes being handed over President Nixon Resigned on August 9.

1975 U.S.A. Jimmy Hoffa

1975 : Jimmy Hoffa the ex president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is last seen in Last seen in Bloomfield Township ( suburb of Detroit ) , MI. Although presumed dead, his remains have never been found. To this day, Hoffa's fate remains a mystery but was declared legally dead in 1982.

2002 Gold Double Eagle Sells At Auction

2002 : The World's Most Expensive Coin the 1933 Double Gold Eagle Sells At Auction for $6.6 million ($7.6m With Fees) to an unnamed buyer. The coin was made by the US mint in 1933 but due to restrictions put in place to stop Americans hoarding much needed gold during the Depression Years the coins were never issued to the public, and it is believed only three officially exist today two in the Smithsonian and this one. There are thought to be a few more in private collections that were not issued but stolen by a cashier from the US mint, but because the Secret Service had confiscated 8 1933 Gold Double Eagles by 1952, no more have come forward except this latest coin that has just been sold.

2003 Last Original Beetle Built

2003 : The last of original Volkswagen Beetle's rolled off the production line at VW’s Puebla, Mexico.

2006 Congo Elections

2006 : This day marked the first multi-party elections to take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo in forty years. The elections went relatively smoothly and there were few incidents. There were 32 presidential candidates, many of which were former leaders of armed factions. The elections were held and monitored by the United Nations in an attempt to end an on-going civil war in the country.

2006 Top of The Pops Finishes

2006 : The longest running popular music program Top of The Pops ends after over 40 years having featured the biggest names in music. The BBC who produce the show do not believe the TOTP can compete with the growth of 24-hour music channels available on TV and the changing world of instant downloads of the latest music.

2008 Tonga King George V

2008 : The coronation of King George V of Tonga began on this day. King George V had promised to help the country move towards a more democratic system.

2009 United States Honda Recalls

2009 : A total of 440,000 cars made by Honda are recalled in the United States. The majority of the models recalled are from the 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic series. The car maker said that these models may have a defective airbag and offered to replace it free of charge for customers.

2011 Royal Wedding of Queen's Granddaughter

2011 : The Queen's granddaughter, Zara Philips, married rugby player Mike Tindall in Edinburgh. Many royals attended the wedding including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William, Catherine, and Prince Harry. The wedding was the first royal wedding in Scotland in nearly twenty years.

2012 Romanian President Survives Impeachment

2012 : Romanian president Traian Basescu has survived a referendum impeachment vote after voter turnout failed to reach the fifty percent that would have been needed to validate the vote. The president had been suspended by parliament and had been accused of exceeding his authority and meddling in government affairs.

2013 Explosions at Gas Plant

2013 : An explosion at a the Blue Rhino propane plant in Tavares, Florida injures at least eight people. Blasts blew the roof off of the building and explosions continued for over an hour, causing a large fire. The cause of the explosions was unknown and emergency crews were quick to contain the threat.

Today in Labor History July 30, 2025

 

Jimmy Hoffa disappeared – and then his legacy took on a life of its own

Automobile tycoon and fascist Henry Ford was born on this date in Dearborn, Michigan. His introduction of the assembly line and other mass production techniques revolutionized profit-making not only by dramatically increasing worker productivity, and therefore reducing labor costs, but also by de-skilling the workforce and weakening the power of the workers. – 1863

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare Act, providing federally-funded health insurance for senior citizens. – 1964

Former Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa disappeared. Presumed dead, his body has never been found. Hoffa was a union activist with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from a young age, and was an important regional figure with the union by his mid-twenties. By 1952, Hoffa had risen to national vice-president of the IBT, and served as the union’s general president between 1958 and 1971. He secured the first national agreement for teamsters’ rates in 1964. During his term as leader, Hoffa played a major role in the growth and development of the union which eventually became the largest (by membership) in the U.S. with over 1.5 million members at its peak. – 1975

United Airlines agreed to offer domestic-partner benefits to employees and retirees worldwide. – 1999

Tuesday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

The 'Media Capitulation Index' - American Crisis

Which public TV and radio stations most rely on federal funds - Axios

Lessons from Southport: how information voids fuel a crisis - Journalism UK

Fortune and Informa Techtarget both separately cut 10% of workforce - Press Gazette

Alden Global Capital fails in its attempt to get its tentacles on The Dallas Morning News - NL

Beyond the think tank: how CNTI is building a global ‘do tank’ for journalism’s future - E&P Magazine

Important Events From This day in History July 29

 

1981 UK Charles and Diana Marriage

1981 : Prince Charles marries Lady Diana at a royal ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral, it is estimated 500 million television viewers in 74 countries tune in to witness the fairy tale marriage.

1932 U.S.A. Bonus Protesters

1932 : World War I Vets who are starving like many others due to the great depression march on Washington demanding that the bonus payment they are due to receive in 1945 is paid out early. Legislators refuse their requests so 20,000 vets set up camp in Washington trying to put further pressure on the government. President Herbert Hoover ordered the eviction and two veterans were killed, he then called on the army to disperse the remaining Bonus protesters and the Bonus Army headed home on July 29, 1932.

1945 USS Indianapolis Sinking

1945 : I-58 Japanese submarine sinks the American cruiser Indianapolis, killing 883 seamen in the worst loss in the history of the U.S. navy. More than 800 fell into the Pacific many died due to injuries during the sinking but the remaining seamen were left to flounder in the Pacific, fend off sharks, drink sea water it was 84 hours before help arrived and only 318 survived the rest were eaten by sharks or drowned. The USS Indianapolis had just delivered key components of the Hiroshima atomic bomb to the Pacific island of Tinian prior to it's sinking by the submarine.

1953 Germany Hohenzollern Jewels

1953 : Thieves have stolen the Hohenzollern Jewels valued at over $7.5 million by climbing the walls of ancient Hohenzollern castle , these are better known as the Prussian Crown Jewels.

1958 U.S.A. NASA Created

1958 : NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is created by the National Aeronautics and Space Act to make sure America will win the space race and 11 years and billions of dollars later, Neil Armstrong stepped out of the lunar module Eagle and onto the moon's surface on July 20th, 1969.

1968 Vatican Pope Paul VI

1968 : Pope Paul VI banned the contraceptive pill as well as all other artificial means of birth control.

1976 U.S.A. Son of Sam

1976 : The so called "Son of Sam" pulls a gun from a paper bag and fires five shots at Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti of the Bronx while they are sitting in a car. Lauria died and Valenti was seriously wounded in the first in a series of shootings by the serial killer, who terrorized New York City over the course of the next year.

1976 Southend Pier Destroyed By Fire

1976 : The end of Southend Pier on Britain's south coast is destroyed by Fire, the pier was the longest pier in the world at close to 1 1/2 miles long. The original pier made of wood dates back to 1830 and in the 1880's the pier was rebuilt of iron.

1999 U.S.A. Woodstock 99

1999 : New York State Police have suspended an officer who posed with half naked women at Woodstock 99 while colleagues were quelling a riot at the festival, the officer is also facing criminal charges.

1999 U.S.A. Day Trader Goes On Killing Spree

1999 : Day Trader (Mark O. Barton) opens fire at the All-Tech Investment Group Inc Atlanta brokerage office, killing nine and wounding 13 others before shooting himself to death, he had earlier killed his wife and two children. It is thought he went on the killing spree after losing over $100,000 while day trading between June 9th and July 27th.

2006 Sudan Peace Agreement Broken

2006 : After signing a peace agreement on May 5 of 2006, the Sudanese government violated the agreement when they attacked the rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement, a group not involved in the peace deal, in the Jebel Moon mountains. The peace agreement between Sudanese government and the Minni Minnawi faction was used by both parties as a way to attack rebel groups who were not a part of the agreement.

2006 U.S.A. California Heat Wave

2006 : The Heat Wave in California which started on July 16th. and has reached temperatures of 115 degrees earlier in the week is now believed to have claimed the lives of over 140 people, and caused a massive toll to the state's agricultural industry with damage to peaches, plums, nectarines and walnuts and thousands of livestock lost. An additional burden to California residents has been the loss of power to over a million customers caused through equipment failures.

2007 Iraq Wins Asian Cup

2007 : Despite being a country torn apart by invasion and internal fighting, the Iraqi football team was able to win the Asian Cup against Saudi Arabia on this day. The game, played in Indonesia, ended with a 1-0 score. The victory was able to bring some temporary joy to the country which had been plagued with a surge of violence at the time.

2008 U.S.A. Ronald Gray

2008 : Former United States President and Commander in Chief, George W. Bush approved the first execution of an American soldier in over fifty years on this day. Ronald Gray a serial killer who was found guilty of the rape and murder of 4 victims, a member of the armed forces in the states of North Carolina was convicted of rape and murder in 1988 and sentenced to death. On November 26th, 2008, a federal judge granted Gray a stay of execution to allow time for further appeals which is still proceeding.

2009 India Gayatri Devi

2009 : Gayatri Devi, one of the last queens in India, died on this day. The ninety year old played an important role in politics and fashion in India and was once voted one of the most beautiful women in the world according to Vogue magazine.

2011 Car Makers Agree to Fuel Efficiency Standard

2011 : Major car makers agreed to a the new fuel efficiency standard proposed by the Obama administration. The new standard that was agreed upon would raise the average miles per gallon to 54.5 by 2025. The move was hoped to reduce reliance on foreign oil imports as well as reduce air pollution.

2012 Snoop Dogg Banned from Norway

2012 : US Rapper Snoop Dogg has been banned from Norway for two years after he was caught trying to bring a small amount of marijuana into the country in June. His lawyer stated that he would live with the ban and had no plans to appeal.

2013 China Orders Debt Audit

2013 : The Chinese government has ordered a nationwide audit of all government debt. The move comes after a concern that debt has slowed the economic growth in the country after government borrowing was used to sustain growth amid the global financial crisis.

 Cesar Chavez, asked Americans to boycott the popular California fruit

The Coast Seamen’s Union merges with the Steamship Sailor’s Union to form the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific. – 1891

A preliminary delegation from Mother Jones’ March of the Mill Children from Philadelphia to President Theodore Roosevelt’s summer home in Oyster Bay, Long Island, publicizing the harsh conditions of child labor, arrives today. They are not allowed through the gates. – 1903

Following a five-year table grape boycott, Delano-area growers file into the United Farm Workers union hall in Delano, California to sign their first union contracts. The strike began on September 8, 1965. Due largely to a consumer boycott of nonunion grapes, the strike ended with a significant victory for the United Farm Workers as well as its first contract with growers. – 1970

Monday Morning in the Blogosphere

 Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines

Is printing checks still a profitable business? - MSN

'Chicago Tribune' Lays Off 8 Newsroom Employees - MediaPost

Generative AI models love to cite Reuters and Axios, study finds - Nieman Lab

The tragedy of local news hits the stage in ‘The Last American Newspaper’ - Poynter

Throwback episode: Rozina Breen, CEO and editor-in-chief of TBIJ - Journalism UK

New chapter for Lansing’s City Pulse: Philanthropy backs fierce independence - E&P Reports