Discover what happened on July 31 in history as remarkable achievements, historic milestones, technological advances, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on July 31 in History?
Important events on this day include the issuance of the first U.S. patent, Apollo 15 astronauts becoming the first people to drive on the Moon, Nintendo’s Game Boy launching in the United States, Michigan beginning ferry service across the Straits of Mackinac, and Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian in history.
JULY 31 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1790 – The first U.S. patent was issued to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.
1792 – The cornerstone of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, PA, was laid. It was the first building to be used only as a government building.
1923 – Michigan began operating a state-run ferry service between Mackinac City and St. Ignace, providing a vital connection between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas until the Mackinac Bridge opened in 1957.
1928 – MGM’s “Leo the Lion” roared for the first time to introduced MGM’s first talking picture, “White Shadows on the South Seas.”
1931 – Experimental television station W2XAB (now WCBS) began broadcasting in New York, NY.
1948 – President Harry Truman helped dedicate New York International Airport at Idlewild Field. It was later renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in December of 1963.
1955 – Marilyn Bell of Toronto, Canada, became the youngest person to swim the English Channel at the age of 17.
1964 – NASA’s Ranger 7 transmitted the first close-up photographs of the Moon’s surface, providing images far clearer than any previously available from Earth.
1971 – Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first humans to drive the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon.
1981 – The seven-week baseball players’ strike came to an end when the players and owners agreed on the issue of free agent compensation.
1984 – Leeza Gibbons made her first appearance on TV’s “Entertainment Tonight”.
1988 – The last American Playboy Club closed in Lansing, MI.
1989 – The Game Boy handheld video game was released in the U.S.
1991 – President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
1995 – The Walt Disney Company purchased Capital Cities/ABC for $19 billion, creating one of the world’s largest entertainment companies.
1998 – Nicolas Cage received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1999 – The spacecraft Lunar Prospect crashed into the moon. It was on a mission to detect frozen water on the moon’s surface. The craft had launched on January 6, 1998.
2006 – Cuba’s Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother, Raul.
2007 – The iTunes Music Store reached 3 billion songs sold and 2 million feature length films sold.
2007 – The Boston Celtics obtained former MVP and 10-time All-Star Kevin Garnett in a 7-for-1 deal with Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the NBA’s biggest ever trade for one player.
2012 – Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history after winning his 19th Olympic medal.
2016 – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a play by Jack Thorne with contributions by J.K. Rowling, was published worldwide at midnight.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JULY 31:
Kenny Burrell – 95 years old (1931) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Susan Flannery – 87 years old (1939) – Actress
William Bennett – 83 years old (1943) – Journalist and politician, 3rd United States Secretary of Education
Lobo – 83 years old (1943) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Geraldine Chaplin – 82 years old (1944) – Actress and screenwriter
Sherry Lansing – 82 years old (1944) – Film producer
Robert C. Merton – 82 years old (1944) – Economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
William Weld – 81 years old (1945) – Lawyer and politician, 68th Governor of Massachusetts
Gary Lewis – 80 years old (1946) – Pop-rock musician
Chris Ahrens – 74 years old (1952) – Ice hockey player
Alan Autry – 74 years old (1952) – Football player, actor, and politician, 23rd Mayor of Fresno, California
Faye Kellerman – 74 years old (1952) – Author
Michael Biehn – 70 years old (1956) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Bill Callahan – 70 years old (1956) – Football player and coach
Ron Kuby – 70 years old (1956) – Lawyer and radio host
Deval Patrick – 70 years old (1956) – Lawyer and politician, 71st Governor of Massachusetts
Lynne Rae Perkins – 70 years old (1956) – Author and illustrator
Bill Berry – 68 years old (1958) – Drummer and songwriter
Mark Cuban – 68 years old (1958) – Businessman and television personality
Stanley Jordan – 67 years old (1959) – Guitarist, pianist, and songwriter
John Chiang – 64 years old (1962) – Lawyer and politician, 31st California State Controller
Wesley Snipes – 64 years old (1962) – Actor and producer
Scott Brooks – 61 years old (1965) – Basketball player and coach
John Laurinaitis – 61 years old (1965) – Wrestler and producer
Dean Cain – 60 years old (1966) – Actor, producer, and screenwriter
Tony Massenburg – 59 years old (1967) – Basketball player
Loren Dean – 57 years old (1969) – Actor
Kenneth D. Schisler – 57 years old (1969) – Lawyer and politician
Gus Frerotte – 55 years old (1971) – Football player and coach
Leona Naess – 52 years old (1974) – American-English singer-songwriter and guitarist
Jonathan Ogden – 52 years old (1974) – Football player
Randy Flores – 51 years old (1975) – Baseball player and coach
Gabe Kapler – 51 years old (1975) – Baseball player and manager
Joshua Cain – 50 years old (1976) – Guitarist and producer
Zac Brown – 48 years old (1978) – Country singer-songwriter and guitarist
Nick Sorensen – 48 years old (1978) – Football player and sportscaster
J. J. Furmaniak – 47 years old (1979) – Baseball player
B. J. Novak – 47 years old (1979) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Vernon Carey – 45 years old (1981) – Football player
DeMarcus Ware – 44 years old (1982) – Football player
Brian Orakpo – 40 years old (1986) – Football player
Michael Bradley – 39 years old (1987) – Soccer player
A. J. Green – 38 years old (1988) – Football player
Charlie Carver – 38 years old (1988) – Actor and writer
Alexis Knapp – 37 years old (1989) – Actress
Kyle Larson – 34 years old (1992) – Race car driver
Lil Uzi Vert – 31 years old (1995) – Hip hop artist
Bobbi Althoff – 29 years old (1997) – Podcaster and influencer
Thomas Bryant – 29 years old (1997) – Basketball player
Rico Rodriguez – 28 years old (1998) – Actor
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JULY 31:
- National Avocado Day: A healthy and versatile ingredient, this tasty fruit is loaded with nutrients and can be used in a variety of delicious dishes.
- National Mutt Day: Forget about purebred dogs. On this day, National Mutt Day, mixed breeds and mutts are what it’s all about! History of National Mutt Day Although the word “mutt” can sometimes have a negative connotation in the English language, it simply means that the dog’s parents were not registered and were...
- World Ranger Day: Help raise money and awareness for the dangerous but crucial job that park rangers engage in to keep us and our beautiful natural surroundings safe.
- National System Administrator Appreciation Day: System administrators sit behind the scenes and keep our technology running, so thank them for the work they do to make our modern lives as easy as possible.
- National Raspberry Cake Day: Raspberry cheesecake, raspberry chocolate cake, raspberry vanilla cake…this wonderful berry goes with all kinds of cakes, so try baking one yourself.
- Black Tot Day: In the annals of naval history, few traditions are as storied or as universally recognized as the daily rum ration of the British Royal Navy. This time-honored practice, which spanned over two centuries, came to an end on a day now known as Black Tot Day. This day is not...
- National Talk in an Elevator Day: Break the taboo and make new friends by striking up a conversation in an elevator, rather than sitting around in awkward silence until one of you gets off.
- National Jump for Jelly Beans Day: Dive into a burst of sweet variety, savoring chewy, vibrant confections that awaken taste buds with every bite.
- Lifeguard Appreciation Day: Lifeguard Appreciation Day celebrates the people who protect swimmers at beaches, pools, lakes, and water parks. These trained professionals spend long hours in the sun, always alert and ready. They prevent accidents, pull struggling swimmers to safety, and give first aid when needed. Their sharp focus and quick actions can...
- National Get Gnarly Day: National Get Gnarly Day is all about jumping headfirst into something bold, wild, or completely out of the ordinary. It’s that little push to stop holding back and start living with a bit more edge. Think of it as a chance to shake off the usual and try something that...
- Shredded Wheat Day: Shredded Wheat Day celebrates those crunchy, pillow-shaped biscuits made from whole wheat. It honors a breakfast staple that fills bowls and fuels busy mornings. This day brings a burst of energy, encouraging everyone to enjoy simple, natural ingredients. It invites you to savor bite after bite, feeling the satisfying crunch and...
- Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day: Take some time to research the many varied and unique instruments in the world, and consider picking up an uncommon instrument yourself to expand your horizons.
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