On July 12, the Rolling Stones debuted, France conquered the World Cup, tanks clashed at Prokhorovka, and disco met its fiery end at Comiskey Park.
July 12 in History
Rollin' Stones Debut at Marquee Club
A new rhythm-and-blues band played its first London gig tonight.
LONDON, July 12 — A small crowd at the Marquee Club on Oxford Street tonight heard the first public performance of a new band called the Rollin' Stones. The group, named after a Muddy Waters song, delivered a set of American rhythm and blues before an audience of perhaps a few dozen in the converted basement that has hosted jazz and skiffle acts since 1958. For the price of a few shillings, patrons saw a lineup that included Mick Jagger on vocals, Brian Jones and Keith Richards on guitars, Ian Stewart on piano, Dick Taylor on bass, and an unconfirmed drummer. The Marquee, opened four years ago in a former warehouse, is a modest venue by West End standards, but its owners booked the Stones after the band's original first engagement elsewhere fell through. The group had formed only weeks earlier, sharing a common enthusiasm for Chicago blues and the amplified sound of American R&B. Tonight's performance, though sparsely attended, marks the public debut of what may become a regular attraction on the London club scene. The band played a set of songs by Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Reed, with Jagger’s vocal style showing clear debt to American blues shouters. Richards and Jones traded guitar lines in a raw, unpolished manner. The small audience, mostly teenagers, responded with polite applause rather than the enthusiasm later acts might command. No encore was played. The club is booked for further appearances by the group through August, the management said.
France Wins First World Cup, Beats Brazil 3-0
Zidane's two headers, Petit's late goal seal historic victory in Paris.
PARIS, July 12 — France became the seventh nation to win the FIFA World Cup tonight, defeating defending champions Brazil 3-0 before 80,000 supporters at the Stade de France. The victory, witnessed by an estimated 1.3 billion television viewers worldwide, ended decades of near-misses for a country that had never before reached the final. Zinedine Zidane scored two first-half headers from corner kicks, the first in the 27th minute and the second just before halftime, to give France a commanding lead. Emmanuel Petit added a third goal in second-half injury time, curling a shot past Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel. The match was refereed by Said Belqola of Morocco. Hundreds of thousands of French supporters poured into the streets of Paris tonight, celebrating along the Champs-Élysées. Many were expected to assemble there again Wednesday morning. For France, the victory caps a tournament played on home soil and erases the memory of a semifinal defeat to West Germany in 1982.
Titans Clash at Prokhorovka
German and Soviet tanks fight one of history's largest armored battles.
Soviet infantry and tanks advance during the decisive Battle of Prokhorovka in 1943 — Red Army photographer?
MOSCOW, July 12 — The vast armored struggle now raging in the Kursk salient has produced perhaps the largest tank engagement in military history, as German and Soviet forces collided today at the village of Prokhorovka. Hundreds of tanks churned through the black earth in a brutal, close-quarters melee.
Rabin Orders Expulsion of Palestinians
IDF officer signs decree to clear Lydda and Ramle.
Palestinian residents of Lydda expelled by Israeli forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War — Eldad David
TEL AVIV, July 12 — Israel Defense Forces officer Yitzhak Rabin today signed an order expelling the Palestinian inhabitants of the towns of Lydda and Ramle, the largest single forced removal of the current war. Rabin said the order was necessary for security. An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Palestinians are affected.
70,000 Riot at Comiskey Park; Disco Demolition Ends in Forfeit
Thousands storm field after explosion tears hole in center field.
CHICAGO, July 12 — About 70,000 fans stormed a baseball field here tonight after a crate of disco records was blown up between games of a White Sox doubleheader. The explosion at Comiskey Park tore a huge hole in center field.
King Æthelstan Receives Oaths of Four Northern Rulers at Eamont
Submission of Constantine of Scotland, Hywel Dda brings seven years of peace.
King Æthelstan receives the submission of northern rulers at Eamont. — Arpingstone
EAMONT, July 12 — King Æthelstan of England today received the submission of four northern rulers at Eamont near Penrith, securing seven years of peace in the north. Constantine II of Scotland was among those who swore oath against piracy and alliance with Vikings.
Hezbollah Crosses Border, Seizes Two Israeli Soldiers; Five-Week War Begins
Three soldiers killed, two wounded in cross-border attack from Lebanon.
JERUSALEM, July 12 — The rumble of Katyusha rockets echoed across northern Israel this morning as Hezbollah militants launched a diversionary barrage, then struck two armoured Humvees with anti-tank missiles. The attack killed three Israeli soldiers, wounded two, and seized two others, sparking a 34-day conflict that began today. The captured soldiers were identified as Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. Israel immediately launched air strikes into southern Lebanon, warning of a severe response.
Apache Helicopters Kill Reuters Journalists, Civilians in Baghdad Strike
U.S. Army gunships attacked targets in New Baghdad during Operation Ilaaj.
BAGHDAD, July 12 — The death of two Reuters journalists and several civilians in a U.S. helicopter attack today has raised new questions about rules of engagement in Iraq. Two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters from Camp Taji, which left at 9:24 a.m.
Ivan's Great Work Consecrated: Saint Basil's Cathedral Blessed in Moscow
Nine onion domes rise over Red Square as Tsar's triumph over Kazan is hallowed.
MOSCOW, July 12 — In this summer of our Lord 1561, a wonder of Christian architecture stands completed and consecrated on Red Square. Saint Basil's Cathedral, built by order of Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, the Terrible, was hallowed today with prayers and chant, its nine onion-shaped domes gleaming above the city.
Miyazaki's 'Princess Mononoke' Breaks Japanese Box-Office Record
Animated epic becomes nation's top earner, wins Picture of the Year prize.
TOKYO, July 12 — Hayao Miyazaki today released his animated epic “Princess Mononoke,” and the film immediately became the highest-grossing picture in Japanese history, surpassing all rivals in a matter of weeks. Produced by Studio Ghibli at a cost of ¥2.35 billion — the most expensive animated film ever made in Japan — the story of a young prince caught between forest spirits and iron-mining humans has drawn record crowds.
