25 fun facts for July, 31
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
On July 31st, many notable events have occurred throughout history. Highlights include the passing of renowned German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, the establishment of the Malaysian National Space Agency, the capture of the first high-resolution images of the Moon by the Ranger 7 probe, and the landing of the "Curiosity" rover on Mars.
25 Fun facts
- On July 31, 1741, German composer and pianist Johann Sebastian Bach passed away. Bach is considered one of the greatest composers in Western musical history, with a vast influence on subsequent composers and musicians.
- In 1790, the first U.S. patent was granted. Signed by President George Washington, it went to Samuel Hopkins for an improvement in making pot and pearl ashes, which were used in soap, glass, and fertilizer production.
- On July 31, 1804, the city of Flushing (now part of New York City) underwent reorganization. Changes included the appointment of new officers and the adoption of a new seal, featuring a beehive with bees.
- Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was released from jail on July 31, 1897. He had been imprisoned for indecency, ruining his reputation and contributing to his financial and emotional downfall.
- In 1904, Russian physicist and inventor Alexander Popov died. He is best known for his work on the development of radio communication, being one of the pioneers in the field.
- On July 31, 1928, MGM's mascot Leo the Lion made his first appearance on screen. Since then, he has been the recognizable face of this iconic motion picture studio.
- In 1930, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union approved a resolution to build the Moscow Metro, which opened in 1935. Today, it is the fifth longest metro system in the world.
- Born on July 31, 1932, American film director and writer Ted Cassidy is best known for playing Lurch in the 1964 television series "The Addams Family."
- On July 31, 1961, Israel welcomed its one millionth immigrant. Mordechai and Rebecca Chizik from Brazil celebrated their arrival to the country by planting a tree in perhaps the largest absorption center in the world.
- The establishment of Malaysia's space agency, the Malaysian National Space Agency, took place on July 31, 2002. Its objectives include promoting the peaceful use of outer space for the nation's development and technological advancement.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play by Jack Thorne, premiered in London on July 31, 2016. Based on an original story by Thorne, J.K. Rowling, and John Tiffany, it portrays the lives of grown-up Harry Potter and his friends.
- On July 31, 1964, the American space probe Ranger 7 transmitted the first high-resolution images of the Moon's surface. These images showed the viewers that the lunar surface had craters and was not completely smooth as previously thought.
- The cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty's pedestal was laid on Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor on July 31, 1884.
- On July 31, 1970, Black Tot Day marked the last day the British Royal Navy issued sailors with a daily rum ration.
- The Beatles released their tenth studio album, "Hey Jude," on July 31, 1968. The record included some of their most iconic songs, such as the title track and "Revolution."
- Born on July 31, 1944, Geraldine Chaplin is a talented actress known for her appearances in over 60 films, including "Doctor Zhivago" and "Nashville." She is the daughter of legendary actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin.
- On July 31, 1955, the renowned amusement park Disneyland held its grand opening ceremony in Anaheim, California.
- American astronomer and cosmologist Edwin Hubble announced on July 31, 1932, that he had discovered a new galaxy, Andromeda, which he referred to as the "nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way."
- On July 31, 1931, the Green River Ordinance was passed, prohibiting solicitors from approaching prospective customers in their homes without prior consent.
- Born on July 31, 1919, famous American baseball player Curt Simmons played as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher. He was named an All-Star three times during his 20-year career.
- The Kingston Trio, a popular American folk and pop music group, released their hit song "Tom Dooley" on July 31, 1958.
- Born on July 31, 1962, Wes Craven was an influential American filmmaker, writer, and producer. He is best known for creating groundbreaking horror films like "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Scream."
- On July 31, 1697, Stockholm's royal castle, known as Tre Kronor, was destroyed by fire. The current Royal Palace of Stockholm was later built on the same site.
- July 31, 2012, marked the beginning of the "Curiosity" Mars rover's mission. This car-sized rover successfully landed on Mars on August 5 and has been exploring the Martian surface ever since.
- In 1969, the Mariner 6 spacecraft made its closest approach to Mars, capturing images of the Red Planet's surface and transmitting them back to Earth.