July 14 holds a remarkable place in history with events that shaped nations and cultures. From the dramatic Storming of the Bastille in 1789, sparking the French Revolution, to pivotal moments in wars and groundbreaking achievements in science, this date offers a rich tapestry of stories. What other significant milestones occurred on this day, and how did they influence the world? There’s much more to uncover about July 14’s legacy.
History
Major Historical Events
1918 – First Battle of the Marne Ends: The First Battle of the Marne, a significant engagement during World War I, concluded on this day with the Allied forces successfully halting the German advance towards Paris.
This victory marked a turning point on the Western Front, boosting Allied morale and leading to the development of trench warfare that would characterize much of the conflict.
1933 – Gleichschaltung in Nazi Germany: On July 14, 1933, the Nazi regime in Germany passed a law banning the formation of new political parties, effectively establishing a one-party state under Adolf Hitler’s leadership.
This move, part of the broader Gleichschaltung or “coordination” process, eliminated political opposition and consolidated Nazi control over the country.
1965 – Mariner 4 Flyby of Mars: NASA’s Mariner 4 spacecraft performed the first successful flyby of Mars, transmitting the first close-up images of the Red Planet back to Earth.
This historic mission provided scientists with vital data about Mars’ surface and atmosphere, paving the way for future exploration.
2015 – Iran Nuclear Deal Agreement: On this day, the Joint Extensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was finalized between Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers.
The agreement aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, marking a significant moment in international diplomacy.
Famous Birthdays
1862 – Gustav Klimt: Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, known for his ornate and sensual artworks like “The Kiss,” was born on this day in Baumgarten, near Vienna.
His unique style, blending eroticism with intricate patterns, made him a leading figure in the Vienna Secession movement.
1913 – Gerald Ford: The 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford, was born on July 14 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ford is notable for being the only unelected president, assuming the office after Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974, and for his efforts to heal the nation during a tumultuous period.
1938 – Jerry Rubin: American social activist and counterculture figure Jerry Rubin was born on this day in Cincinnati, Ohio.
As a co-founder of the Youth International Party (Yippies), Rubin played a key role in anti-war protests and the cultural upheavals of the 1960s.
1966 – Matthew Fox: Actor Matthew Fox, best known for his role as Jack Shephard in the popular television series “Lost,” was born on July 14 in Abington, Pennsylvania.
His performance earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
1977 – Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden: Born on this day in Stockholm, Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée is the heir apparent to the Swedish throne.
As the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf, she has been actively involved in representing Sweden on the international stage.
Notable Deaths
1881 – Billy the Kid: The infamous American outlaw Billy the Kid, also known as William H. Bonney, was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett on July 14 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
His short life of crime and numerous escapes from custody made him a legendary figure in the American Old West.
1965 – Adlai E. Stevenson II: American politician and diplomat Adlai E. Stevenson II passed away on this day in London, England.
A two-time Democratic nominee for president and a key figure in U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, Stevenson served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
2012 – Sixten Jernberg: Swedish cross-country skier Sixten Jernberg, one of the most successful athletes in the history of the Winter Olympics, died on July 14.
With four gold medals and nine total Olympic medals, his legacy in Nordic skiing remains unparalleled.
Today in Music History
1952 – First UK Singles Chart Published: On July 14, the first-ever UK Singles Chart was published by the New Musical Express (NME), marking the beginning of an iconic record of popular music in Britain.
The chart has since become a cultural institution, tracking the best-selling songs each week.
1987 – Steve Miller Band Receives Star on Walk of Fame: The Steve Miller Band, known for hits like “The Joker” and “Fly Like an Eagle,” was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on this day.
Their contributions to rock music have left a lasting impact on the genre.
1995 – “Waterfalls” by TLC Tops Charts: On July 14, TLC’s hit single “Waterfalls” reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for seven weeks.
The song, with its powerful message about social issues, became one of the defining tracks of the 1990s.
Today in Sports History
1968 – Hank Aaron Hits 500th Home Run: Baseball legend Hank Aaron hit his 500th career home run on July 14 while playing for the Atlanta Braves against the San Francisco Giants.
This milestone cemented his status as one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history.
2016 – Serena Williams Wins Wimbledon: On this day, Serena Williams secured her seventh Wimbledon singles title, defeating Angelique Kerber in the final.
This victory tied her with Steffi Graf for the most Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era at 22.
Today in Military and Naval History
1789 – Storming of the Bastille: On July 14, the Storming of the Bastille in Paris marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
This symbolic act of rebellion against royal authority saw citizens seize the fortress, which was seen as a representation of oppression, igniting a transformative period in French history.
1863 – Battle of Falling Waters: During the American Civil War, the Battle of Falling Waters took place on this day in Maryland as part of the Gettysburg Campaign.
Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee clashed with Union troops, resulting in a Union victory and the death of Confederate General James J. Pettigrew.
1943 – Operation Husky Continues: On July 14, Allied forces continued their invasion of Sicily, known as Operation Husky, during World War II.
This campaign aimed to weaken Axis control in the Mediterranean and ultimately led to the fall of Mussolini’s regime in Italy.
Today in Tech and Science History
1965 – First Close-Up Images of Mars: As mentioned earlier, NASA’s Mariner 4 spacecraft transmitted the first close-up photographs of Mars on July 14, revealing a cratered, barren landscape.
This mission provided invaluable insights into the planet’s geology and atmosphere.
2015 – New Horizons Reaches Pluto: On this day, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft completed its historic flyby of Pluto, capturing detailed images and data of the dwarf planet and its moons.
This mission marked the first time humanity explored the outer reaches of our solar system up close.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1789 – French Revolution Inspires Art and Literature: The Storming of the Bastille on July 14 not only sparked a political revolution but also inspired countless works of art and literature.
From paintings depicting the event to writings by authors like Charles Dickens in “A Tale of Two Cities,” the cultural impact of this day endures.
1902 – Premiere of Debussy’s “Pelléas et Mélisande”: On this day, Claude Debussy’s opera “Pelléas et Mélisande” had a significant early performance in Paris after its debut earlier that year.
This work, with its innovative approach to music and drama, became a cornerstone of modernist opera.
1951 – First Color TV Broadcast in the U.S.: CBS aired the first commercial color television broadcast on July 14, featuring a variety show hosted by Arthur Godfrey.
This milestone marked the beginning of a new era in entertainment and media.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1881 – Billy the Kid’s Last Escape Attempt: On the day of his death, July 14, Billy the Kid reportedly tried to charm his way out of custody by speaking Spanish to locals in Fort Sumner, hoping for help.
Unfortunately for him, Sheriff Pat Garrett was not swayed and ended his notorious career.
1938 – Howard Hughes’ Record-Breaking Flight: Aviator Howard Hughes completed a record-breaking flight around the world on July 14, taking just over 91 hours.
What’s quirky is that he reportedly packed an unusual amount of ping pong balls on board, though the exact reason remains a mystery to historians.
Today in History for Kids
1789 – A Big Fight for Freedom in France: On July 14, a huge crowd in Paris, France, attacked a prison called the Bastille because they were angry with their king.
This event started the French Revolution, a time when people fought for fairness and better lives.
1965 – First Pictures of Mars: A space robot called Mariner 4 took the very first close-up pictures of Mars on this day.
Kids, imagine seeing a planet millions of miles away for the first time—it showed us that Mars has lots of craters!
2015 – Pluto Gets a Close-Up: A tiny spacecraft named New Horizons flew past Pluto on July 14 and took amazing pictures.
Before this, we didn’t know much about Pluto, but now we know it has icy mountains and a heart-shaped spot!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1789 – Bastille Day Origins: July 14 is celebrated as Bastille Day in France, a national holiday commemorating the Storming of the Bastille.
Notably, the Bastille held only seven prisoners at the time, but the event symbolized the fight against tyranny.
1863 – Draft Riots in New York City: On this day, the New York City Draft Riots continued during the Civil War, sparked by opposition to conscription laws.
These riots remain one of the deadliest civil disturbances in U.S. history, lasting several days with significant loss of life.
1959 – First Nuclear-Powered Cruise Ship: The NS Savannah, the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship, was launched on July 14.
Though it was a technological marvel, it operated for only a short time due to high costs and safety concerns.
2007 – Russia Plants Flag Under Arctic: On this day, a Russian expedition symbolically planted a flag on the seabed beneath the North Pole, claiming potential resources.
This unusual act sparked international debate over territorial rights in the Arctic.