July’s Third Week History: The third week of July, from the 15th to the 24th, has historically been a period of profound transformation. It’s a span that has witnessed everything from ancient empires clashing and scientific breakthroughs to royal scandals and moments that redefined humanity’s place in space.
Table of Contents
July’s Third Week History: A Cascade of Change and Conquest
Let’s delve into this fascinating slice of history.
July 15th: Dynasties, Discoveries, and Disasters
July 15th has seen the rise and fall of empires, the unearthing of ancient secrets, and both natural and man-made catastrophes.
- 1099: Crusaders Conquer Jerusalem: During the First Crusade, Christian forces captured Jerusalem, establishing the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This was a pivotal moment in the history of the Crusades and relations between the West and the Middle East.
- 1799: Rosetta Stone Discovered: During Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign, French soldiers discovered the Rosetta Stone, a key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. This find revolutionized Egyptology and our understanding of a lost civilization.
- 1870: Louis Riel’s Red River Rebellion Ends: In Canada, the provisional government formed by Métis leader Louis Riel at Red River agreed to terms with the Canadian government, leading to the creation of Manitoba as a province.
- 1916: Boeing Founded: William Boeing founded “Pacific Aero Products” in Seattle, Washington, which would later become the Boeing Company, a giant in aviation and aerospace.
- 1959: The Steel Strike (U.S.) Begins: One of the longest and most impactful labor strikes in U.S. history began, involving over half a million steelworkers and significantly affecting the American economy.
- 1997: Gianni Versace Assassinated: The iconic Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was tragically shot and killed outside his Miami Beach mansion, sending shockwaves through the fashion world.
- 2009: Caspian Sea Earthquake: A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caspian Sea region, affecting parts of Azerbaijan and Iran.
July 16th: Atomic Dawn, Lunar Leaps, and Royal Rifts
July 16th is a day etched with the profound impact of atomic science, humanity’s greatest space achievement, and significant political shifts.
- 1661: First Banknotes in Europe: The first European banknotes were issued in Sweden by the Palmstruch Bank (Stockholms Banco).
- 1862: David Farragut Promoted to Rear Admiral: During the American Civil War, David Farragut became the U.S. Navy’s first rear admiral, recognizing his leadership and naval victories.
- 1918: Tsar Nicholas II and Family Executed: In a brutal act during the Russian Civil War, Tsar Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, and his entire family were executed by Bolshevik forces. This marked the end of the Romanov dynasty.
- 1945: Trinity Test: The first successful test of an atomic bomb, code-named “Trinity,” was conducted by the United States in New Mexico. This ushered in the atomic age and fundamentally altered warfare and international relations.
- 1969: Apollo 11 Launches: NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, launched from Cape Kennedy, beginning humanity’s first successful journey to land on the Moon. This was an unprecedented achievement in space exploration.
- 1999: John F. Kennedy Jr. Plane Crash: John F. Kennedy Jr., son of the late President, died along with his wife and sister-in-law when the plane he was piloting crashed off Martha’s Vineyard.
- 2004: Millennium Park Opens (Chicago): Chicago’s Millennium Park, a major civic space featuring public art, landscaping, and architecture, opened to the public, quickly becoming a popular landmark.
July 17th: Thrones, Trial, and Tragedy
July 17th has witnessed the abdication of monarchs, the start of momentous trials, and devastating air disasters.
- 1453: Battle of Castillon: This battle marked the final engagement of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, leading to a decisive French victory and solidifying their control over most of France.
- 1791: Champs de Mars Massacre: During the French Revolution, the French National Guard opened fire on a crowd of protestors calling for the removal of King Louis XVI, a violent turn in the revolution.
- 1917: King George V Renounces German Titles: Amidst anti-German sentiment during World War I, King George V of the United Kingdom changed the royal family’s name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor and renounced all German titles.
- 1936: Spanish Civil War Begins: A military coup against the Second Spanish Republic led to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, a brutal conflict that lasted three years and served as a prelude to World War II.
- 1945: Potsdam Conference Begins: Allied leaders Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union), Harry S. Truman (U.S.), and Winston Churchill (UK) met in Potsdam, Germany, to discuss the post-World War II order.
- 1955: Disneyland Opens: Walt Disney’s iconic theme park, Disneyland, opened in Anaheim, California, forever changing the entertainment and tourism industries.
- 1975: Apollo–Soyuz Test Project: The American Apollo spacecraft and the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft docked in orbit, marking the first international space mission and a symbolic easing of Cold War tensions.
- 1996: TWA Flight 800 Crash: TWA Flight 800, a Boeing 747, exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after takeoff from New York, killing all 230 people on board.
- 1998: Rome Statute Adopted: The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted, establishing the legal framework for the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- 2014: Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Shot Down: Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. Investigations pointed to a Russian-made missile.
July 18th: Empires in Conflict, Political Intrigue, and New Horizons
July 18th has been a day of grand imperial conflicts, dramatic political maneuvering, and significant steps forward in the world of computing.
- 390 BC: Battle of the Allia: The Gauls defeated the Roman army at the Battle of the Allia, leading to the Sack of Rome, a significant early setback for the Roman Republic.
- 1872: Secret Ballot Introduced (UK): The Ballot Act was passed in the UK, introducing the secret ballot in elections, a major step towards fairer and less corrupt voting.
- 1918: Nelson Mandela Born: This day marks the birth of Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who became President of South Africa and a global icon of peace and reconciliation.
- 1925: Mein Kampf Published: Adolf Hitler’s autobiographical manifesto, Mein Kampf (My Struggle), was published, outlining his political ideology and future plans.
- 1968: Intel Corporation Founded: Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore founded Intel Corporation, which would become a leading manufacturer of semiconductor chips and a driving force in the personal computer revolution.
- 1984: San Ysidro McDonald’s Massacre: A mass shooting at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, California, resulted in 21 deaths, one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history at the time.
July 19th: Social Reform, Space Exploration, and Sporting Glory
July 19th has seen significant strides in social welfare, further explorations into space, and moments of sporting triumph.
- 1848: Seneca Falls Convention Begins: The first women’s rights convention in the United States began in Seneca Falls, New York, marking the formal start of the women’s suffrage movement in the U.S.
- 1870: Franco-Prussian War Begins: France declared war on Prussia, initiating the Franco-Prussian War, which led to German unification and a shift in the European balance of power.
- 1903: First Tour de France Winner: Maurice Garin was declared the winner of the inaugural Tour de France, completing the historic first edition of the race.
- 1975: Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Ends: The joint U.S.-Soviet Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, a symbol of detente during the Cold War, successfully concluded.
- 1980: Moscow Olympics Begin (Boycotted): The Summer Olympics opened in Moscow, but were significantly boycotted by the United States and over 60 other countries in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
- 1996: Atlanta Summer Olympics Begin: The Centennial Olympic Games opened in Atlanta, Georgia, a major international sporting event.
July 20th: Lunar Landings, Legal Changes, and Legendary Losers
July 20th is most famous for humanity’s monumental step on the Moon, but also for legal reforms and a legendary sporting upset.
- 1881: Sitting Bull Surrenders: Lakota leader Sitting Bull, after years of resistance, surrendered to U.S. forces in Montana.
- 1944: 20 July Plot: A group of German army officers attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler at his Wolf’s Lair headquarters, but the plot failed, leading to brutal reprisals.
- 1960: First Submarine Launch of a Ballistic Missile: The USS George Washington successfully launched a Polaris ballistic missile from underwater, a major development in submarine warfare.
- 1969: Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon: The Apollo 11 lunar module, “Eagle,” landed on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility. Hours later, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the lunar surface, a truly unforgettable moment in human history.
- 1976: Viking 1 Lands on Mars: NASA’s Viking 1 lander successfully touched down on Mars, becoming the first spacecraft to soft-land on the planet and send back images from its surface.
- 1993: Vince Foster’s Death: White House Deputy Counsel Vince Foster was found dead, an event that sparked numerous conspiracy theories and investigations.
July 21st: Declarations, Daring Rescues, and Discovery of Stars
July 21st features declarations of independence, dramatic escapes, and significant astronomical insights.
- 1773: Pope Clement XIV Suppresses the Jesuits: Pope Clement XIV issued a papal brief suppressing the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a powerful and influential Catholic order.
- 1831: Belgium Becomes Independent Monarchy: Leopold I was crowned the first King of the Belgians, marking the establishment of an independent Belgian monarchy.
- 1861: First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas): The first major land battle of the American Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory and demonstrating that the war would not be short.
- 1925: Clarence Darrow’s Closing Argument (Scopes Trial): Defense attorney Clarence Darrow delivered his famous closing argument in the Scopes Monkey Trial, a powerful defense of academic freedom.
- 1960: Sirimavo Bandaranaike Becomes World’s First Female Prime Minister: Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka became the world’s first female prime minister, a pioneering achievement for women in politics.
- 1970: Aswan High Dam Completed: The Aswan High Dam in Egypt, a massive engineering project designed to control the Nile’s floods and generate electricity, was completed.
- 1983: Lowest Temperature on Earth Recorded: The Vostok Station in Antarctica recorded the lowest natural temperature ever observed on Earth: −89.2∘C (−128.6∘F).
- 2007: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Released: The seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling was released, selling millions of copies globally on its first day.
July 22nd: Royal Marriages, Railway Milestones, and Massacres
July 22nd has seen significant royal unions, technological advancements in transport, and tragic acts of violence.
- 1209: Massacre at Béziers: During the Albigensian Crusade, crusader forces massacred virtually the entire population of Béziers, France, irrespective of their religious affiliation, a horrific event.
- 1894: First Automobile Race (France): The first competitive motor race in history took place in France, from Paris to Rouen, marking the very early days of motor sports.
- 1933: Wiley Post Completes Solo Round-the-World Flight: American aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world, doing so in record time in his Lockheed Vega, Winnie Mae.
- 1942: Warsaw Ghetto Deportations Begin: Nazi Germany began the systematic deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp, a horrific chapter of the Holocaust.
- 1946: King David Hotel Bombing: The Irgun, a Zionist paramilitary group, bombed the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, which housed British administrative and military headquarters, killing 91 people.
- 1991: Jeffrey Dahmer Arrested: Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after the discovery of human remains in his apartment, leading to a chilling revelation of his crimes.
- 2011: Norway Attacks: Anders Behring Breivik carried out two terrorist attacks in Norway, first a bombing in Oslo and then a mass shooting at a youth camp on Utøya island, killing 77 people.
July 23rd: Revolutions, Revolts, and Record-Breaking Achievements
July 23rd has witnessed the start of significant political upheavals, widespread uprisings, and remarkable human feats.
- 1829: William Austin Burt Patents the Typographer: William Austin Burt patented a machine he called the “typographer,” considered by some to be the first typewriter, though it was never commercially produced.
- 1903: Ford Motor Company Sells First Car: The first Ford Model A, the company’s first vehicle, was sold to a physician in Detroit, marking the beginning of the Ford Motor Company’s impact on the automotive industry.
- 1952: Egyptian Revolution Begins: The Free Officers Movement, led by Gamal Abdel Nasser, launched a military coup in Egypt, overthrowing King Farouk I and leading to the establishment of the Republic of Egypt.
- 1967: Detroit Riot Begins: The Detroit Riot, one of the deadliest and most destructive riots in U.S. history, erupted, fueled by racial tensions and police brutality.
- 1972: Landsat 1 Launched: NASA launched Landsat 1, the first satellite in the Landsat program, designed to collect data and images of Earth’s land surface from space, revolutionizing remote sensing.
- 1983: Gimli Glider Incident: Air Canada Flight 143, a Boeing 767, ran out of fuel mid-flight due to a miscalculation, but the pilots successfully glided the plane to a safe landing at a former air base in Gimli, Manitoba, a miraculous save.
- 1986: Prince Andrew Marries Sarah Ferguson: Prince Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth II, married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, a major royal wedding.
- 1999: Crown Prince Abdullah Becomes King of Jordan: Following the death of his father, King Hussein, Crown Prince Abdullah assumed the throne of Jordan.
July 24th: Explorations, Expeditions, and Educational Reform
July 24th has been a day of daring expeditions, significant space explorations, and advancements in education.
- 1534: Jacques Cartier Claims Canada for France: French explorer Jacques Cartier planted a cross on the Gaspé Peninsula, formally claiming the territory (now Canada) for King Francis I of France.
- 1847: Mormon Pioneers Enter Salt Lake Valley: Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, marking a significant moment in the settlement of the American West.
- 1911: Hiram Bingham III Rediscovers Machu Picchu: American explorer Hiram Bingham III “rediscovered” the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru, bringing it to global attention.
- 1950: First Launch from Cape Canaveral: The first rocket, a Bumper 8, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, marking the beginning of what would become a historic space launch site.
- 1967: The BBC Launches Radio 1, 2, 3, and 4: The British Broadcasting Corporation restructured its radio services, launching four distinct national stations.
- 1974: Watergate Scandal: U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against Nixon: In United States v. Nixon, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that President Richard Nixon must surrender the White House tapes, a critical turning point in the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation.
- 1987: Ben & Jerry’s Declares “Free Cone Day”: The popular ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s declared its first “Free Cone Day” as an annual event, a simple yet effective marketing and community engagement tradition.
- 2013: Train Derailment in Santiago de Compostela: A high-speed train derailed near Santiago de Compostela, Spain, killing 79 people, one of the worst rail accidents in Spanish history.
The third week of July offers a concentrated view of human endeavor, demonstrating our capacity for both incredible progress and profound tragedy, as well as the constant shaping and reshaping of the world’s political, social, and technological landscapes.
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