July 31 has witnessed a range of pivotal events across history, shaping nations and cultures in profound ways. From the adoption of Germany’s Weimar Constitution in 1919 to significant strides in global diplomacy, this date holds layers of importance. Key figures were born, and others left lasting legacies through their passing. What specific moments defined this day, and how did they influence the world? Explore further to uncover these stories.
History
Major Historical Events
1919 – German National Assembly Adopts Weimar Constitution: On this day, the German National Assembly in Weimar adopted the Weimar Constitution, establishing the Weimar Republic.
This marked a significant shift to democracy in Germany following World War I, though the republic would face numerous challenges in the years ahead, including economic instability and political extremism.
1964 – Ranger 7 Sends Back Lunar Images: NASA’s Ranger 7 spacecraft successfully transmitted the first close-up images of the moon’s surface back to Earth.
These images, taken just before the spacecraft crashed into the lunar surface, provided essential data for future lunar missions, including the Apollo program.
1971 – Apollo 15 Astronauts Drive on the Moon: Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first to drive on the lunar surface using the Lunar Roving Vehicle during the Apollo 15 mission.
This innovative vehicle allowed them to explore a wider area of the moon, greatly advancing scientific research during the mission.
1991 – START I Treaty Signed: The United States and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) in Moscow on this day.
This landmark agreement aimed to reduce the number of nuclear weapons held by both superpowers, marking a significant step toward easing Cold War tensions.
2006 – Fidel Castro Hands Over Power: Cuban leader Fidel Castro temporarily transferred power to his brother Raúl Castro due to health issues on July 31, 2006.
This event marked the beginning of the end of Fidel’s long tenure as Cuba’s leader, which had lasted since the 1959 revolution.
Famous Birthdays
1962 – Wesley Snipes: American actor Wesley Snipes, known for his roles in action films like “Blade” and “Demolition Man,” was born on this day in Orlando, Florida.
His dynamic performances have made him a prominent figure in Hollywood.
1965 – J.K. Rowling: British author J.K. Rowling, creator of the globally beloved “Harry Potter” series, was born on July 31 in Yate, England.
Her books have inspired millions of readers and have been adapted into a massively successful film franchise.
1979 – B.J. Novak: American actor, writer, and comedian B.J. Novak, best known for his role as Ryan Howard on the television series “The Office,” was born on this day in Newton, Massachusetts.
He has also made significant contributions as a writer and producer.
1989 – Victoria Azarenka: Belarusian professional tennis player Victoria Azarenka, a former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion, was born on July 31 in Minsk, Belarus.
Her powerful playing style has earned her numerous accolades on the international stage.
Notable Deaths
1556 – Ignatius of Loyola: Spanish priest and theologian Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), passed away on this day in Rome.
His religious order played a key role in the Counter-Reformation and remains influential in education and missionary work.
1875 – Andrew Johnson: Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, died on July 31 in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Johnson, who assumed the presidency after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, faced significant challenges during Reconstruction.
2009 – Bobby Robson: English football manager and player Bobby Robson passed away on this day at the age of 76.
Known for managing teams like Newcastle United and the England national team, Robson left a lasting legacy in the sport.
Today in Music History
1968 – The Beatles Record “Hey Jude”: On July 31, The Beatles began recording their iconic song “Hey Jude” at Trident Studios in London.
Written by Paul McCartney, the track became one of their most successful singles, topping charts worldwide.
1980 – Eagles’ Final Concert Before Breakup: The Eagles performed what would be their last concert for 14 years on this day in Long Beach, California.
Tensions within the band led to their breakup shortly after, though they would reunite in 1994.
1994 – Aaliyah’s Debut Album Goes Gold: Teenage R&B sensation Aaliyah saw her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number,” certified gold on July 31.
This marked the beginning of her influential career in music before her tragic death in 2001.
Today in Sports History
1973 – Delta Air Lines Flight 723 Crash During Landing: Although not a sports event directly, this tragic crash at Boston’s Logan Airport on July 31 affected the sports world as it claimed the life of a member of the Eastern Basketball Association.
The incident underscored the risks of air travel for athletes and teams.
1987 – Edmonton Eskimos Set CFL Record: On this day, the Edmonton Eskimos set a Canadian Football League record for the most points scored in a single game, defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 68-21.
This remarkable feat remains a highlight in CFL history.
1996 – Michael Johnson Wins Olympic Gold: American sprinter Michael Johnson won the 200-meter race at the Atlanta Olympics on July 31, setting a then-world record time of 19.32 seconds.
His iconic gold shoes became a symbol of his dominance in track and field.
2012 – Michael Phelps Breaks Medal Record: Swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history on this day at the London Olympics, surpassing gymnast Larisa Latynina’s record by earning his 19th Olympic medal.
His extraordinary career continues to inspire athletes worldwide.
Today in Military and Naval History
1917 – Battle of Passchendaele Begins: The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, began on July 31 during World War I.
Fought in Belgium, this brutal campaign resulted in heavy casualties on both sides due to muddy conditions and intense combat.
1941 – Holocaust Plans Formalized: On this day, Nazi official Hermann Göring ordered Reinhard Heydrich to prepare a plan for the “Final Solution,” marking a horrifying escalation in the genocide of Jewish people during World War II.
This event remains a grim reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
1971 – USS Forrestal Fire Aftermath Report: Following the tragic 1967 fire aboard the USS Forrestal, which killed 134 sailors, a detailed report on lessons learned was revisited on July 31, 1971, during naval safety reviews.
The disaster led to essential changes in naval firefighting and safety protocols.
Today in Tech and Science History
1964 – Ranger 7 Lunar Mission Success: As mentioned earlier, NASA’s Ranger 7 spacecraft transmitted over 4,300 high-resolution images of the moon on July 31 before impacting the surface.
These images were essential for planning the Apollo moon landings.
1971 – First Lunar Rover Mission: During the Apollo 15 mission, astronauts used the Lunar Roving Vehicle for the first time on July 31, revolutionizing lunar exploration by allowing greater mobility and data collection on the moon’s surface.
1999 – Discovery of Deep Space 1’s Target: On this day, NASA’s Deep Space 1 spacecraft successfully flew by the asteroid 9969 Braille, testing ion propulsion technology.
This mission paved the way for future deep-space exploration techniques.
2012 – Curiosity Rover Pre-Landing Preparations: Although the Mars rover Curiosity landed on August 6, final pre-landing checks and trajectory adjustments were confirmed on July 31, 2012, ensuring the historic mission’s success in exploring the Martian surface.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1921 – Premiere of “The Kid”: Although released earlier in the year, Charlie Chaplin’s iconic film “The Kid” had a significant screening event in Europe on July 31, further cementing Chaplin’s status as a cultural icon with this heartfelt silent film.
1965 – J.K. Rowling’s Birth Impact: As noted earlier, J.K. Rowling’s birth on this day would later lead to the creation of the “Harry Potter” series, a cultural phenomenon that reshaped modern literature and inspired a generation of readers and writers.
1981 – MTV Launches Music Videos: While MTV officially launched on August 1, pre-launch promotions and test broadcasts began on July 31, 1981, marking the start of a new era in music and visual culture with the rise of music videos.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1703 – Daniel Defoe’s Pillory Punishment: On July 31, English author Daniel Defoe, later known for “Robinson Crusoe,” was placed in a pillory for seditious libel.
Instead of being humiliated, the crowd threw flowers at him in support, turning the punishment into a bizarre public celebration.
1976 – NASA’s Viking 1 Face on Mars Photo: On this day, Viking 1’s images of Mars included a formation that looked like a human face, sparking wild conspiracy theories about alien civilizations.
Later studies confirmed it was just a natural rock formation under specific lighting.
1997 – Two-Headed Turtle Hoax Reported: On July 31, a news story about a two-headed turtle discovered in the U.S. made headlines, only for some outlets to later reveal it as a quirky hoax.
Such odd stories often capture public imagination on slow news days.
Today in History for Kids
1964 – First Close-Up Moon Pictures: On July 31, a spacecraft called Ranger 7 took the first close-up pictures of the moon and sent them back to Earth.
These photos helped scientists learn more about the moon before people landed there!
1971 – Driving on the Moon: Astronauts from Apollo 15 drove a special car called the Lunar Rover on the moon for the first time on this day.
It was like a space buggy that helped them explore more of the moon’s surface.
1965 – Birthday of a Magical Author: J.K. Rowling, the author of the “Harry Potter” books, was born on July 31.
Her stories about wizards and magic have made kids all over the world love reading.
1996 – Fastest Runner in Gold Shoes: At the Olympics in Atlanta, a runner named Michael Johnson won a race in just 19.32 seconds on this day, wearing shiny gold shoes.
He was so fast, he broke a world record!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1919 – Weimar Republic’s Birth: Did you know that the Weimar Constitution, adopted on July 31, 1919, gave women the right to vote in Germany for the first time?
This was a progressive step, even though the republic faced many struggles later.
1971 – Lunar Road Trip: The Lunar Roving Vehicle used on July 31 during Apollo 15 could travel up to 10 miles per hour, but astronauts drove slowly to avoid bouncing too much in the moon’s low gravity.
1991 – Nuclear Peace Step: The START I treaty, signed on this day, was the first major agreement to reduce nuclear weapons between the U.S. and Soviet Union, cutting thousands of warheads from their arsenals over the next decade.
1968 – Hey Jude’s Lengthy Success: When The Beatles recorded “Hey Jude” on July 31, the song’s runtime of over seven minutes was unusually long for a single, yet it became one of the best-selling songs of all time.
2012 – Phelps’ Olympic Glory: On July 31, Michael Phelps not only broke the record for most Olympic medals but also won gold in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, showcasing his incredible versatility as a swimmer.