Unlock the Past: Exploring July 8th-14th in World History

July 8th-14th in World History: The second week of July, spanning from the 8th to the 14th, is a vibrant period in the annals of world history. It’s a week that has witnessed everything from ancient military triumphs and the dawn of groundbreaking scientific theories to iconic cultural moments and tragic global incidents.

Let’s explore the rich tapestry of events that unfolded during these seven days.

Exploring July 8th-14th in World History (July 8th): Empires, Exploration, and Early Tech

July 8th has seen the rise and fall of empires, daring voyages, and early steps in technological advancement.

• 1497: Vasco da Gama Sets Sail: The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama departed from Lisbon, beginning his pioneering voyage that would eventually lead him to reach India by sea, opening up a crucial maritime trade route.
• 1709: Battle of Poltava: In a decisive battle during the Great Northern War, Russian forces under Peter the Great comprehensively defeated the Swedish army, marking a turning point in the struggle for dominance in Eastern Europe.
• 1889: The Wall Street Journal First Published: One of the world’s most influential business and financial newspapers, The Wall Street Journal, began publication in New York City.
• 1932: Dow Jones Industrial Average Hits All-Time Low: During the Great Depression, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached its lowest point, reflecting the severe economic downturn.
• 1950: General Douglas MacArthur Named UN Commander in Korea: In the early days of the Korean War, General Douglas MacArthur was appointed commander of the United Nations forces, leading the international effort to defend South Korea.
• 1994: Kim Jong-il Becomes Supreme Leader of North Korea: Following the death of his father, Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il assumed the leadership of North Korea, beginning a long and authoritarian rule.

The second week of July: Inventions/Discoveries on July 8th

• 1835: The Liberty Bell Cracks: While not an invention, this date marks when the Liberty Bell cracked while ringing during the funeral of Chief Justice John Marshall, an unforgettable incident for an iconic symbol of American independence.

July 9th: Conquests, Communications, and Computing

July 9th has witnessed historical conquests, significant advancements in communication, and foundational moments in the digital age.

• 1755: Battle of the Monongahela: During the French and Indian War, British and colonial forces suffered a devastating defeat by French and Native American troops near present-day Pittsburgh, an early setback for the British.
• 1816: Argentina Declares Independence: The Congress of Tucumán formally declared Argentina’s independence from Spain, a key moment in Latin American liberation.
• 1850: Zachary Taylor Dies in Office: U.S. President Zachary Taylor died suddenly, likely from a stomach illness, becoming the second U.S. president to die in office.
• 1955: The Russell-Einstein Manifesto Released: A powerful document signed by eleven prominent intellectuals, including Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein, warning of the dangers of nuclear weapons and calling for peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
• 2006: FIFA World Cup Final: Italy defeated France in the World Cup Final, a memorable match that included Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt.
• 2011: South Sudan Gains Independence: South Sudan officially became an independent nation, splitting from Sudan after decades of conflict.

Inventions/Discoveries on July 9th:

• 1962: Starfish Prime Nuclear Test: The U.S. conducted Starfish Prime, a high-altitude nuclear test, which created an artificial radiation belt around Earth and had significant effects on satellites and radio communications, highlighting the power and dangers of nuclear technology.
• 2006: Twitter is Launched: Though often associated with March, the microblogging platform Twitter (now X) was officially launched for public use on this day, revolutionizing online communication.

July 10th: Protests, Politics, and Popular Culture

July 10th features moments of protest, pivotal political shifts, and the emergence of cultural icons.

• 1509: John Calvin Born: This day marks the birth of John Calvin, a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, whose theological teachings profoundly influenced the development of Protestantism.
• 1925: Scopes Monkey Trial Begins: In Dayton, Tennessee, the highly publicized “Scopes Monkey Trial” began, prosecuting a high school teacher for teaching evolution, highlighting the conflict between science and religion.
• 1940: Battle of Britain Begins: The German Luftwaffe began its sustained aerial attacks on the United Kingdom, marking the beginning of the Battle of Britain, a crucial air campaign of World War II.
• 1962: Telstar Satellite Launched: The Telstar 1 satellite, the first privately sponsored satellite, was launched, enabling the first live transatlantic television broadcasts and revolutionizing global communication.
• 1973: The Bahamas Gains Independence: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas became fully independent from the United Kingdom.
• 1985: Greenpeace Ship Rainbow Warrior Sunk: Agents of the French secret service bombed and sank the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, New Zealand, just before it was to protest French nuclear testing. One person was killed in the attack, sparking international outrage.
• 2002: World’s First Internet Phone Service: Net2Phone launched the world’s first internet phone service, allowing users to make calls over the internet, a precursor to modern VoIP services.

July 11th: Massacres, Moonshots, and Milestones

July 11th has been a day of tragic incidents, groundbreaking space missions, and important national milestones.

• 1302: Battle of the Golden Spurs: Flemish militias inflicted a significant defeat on the French cavalry near Kortrijk, a notable victory for common infantry over feudal knights.
• 1804: Hamilton-Burr Duel: U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr fatally shot former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton in a duel, a dramatic and tragic incident in early American political history.
• 1957: Pope Pius XII Issues Encyclical on the Sacred Heart: This date marks the release of a significant papal encyclical, “Haurietis Aquas,” by Pope Pius XII, focusing on the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
• 1960: To Kill a Mockingbird Published: Harper Lee’s iconic novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published, becoming an instant classic that explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth.
• 1979: Skylab Reenters Earth’s Atmosphere: The U.S. space station Skylab reentered Earth’s atmosphere, breaking up over the Indian Ocean and sparsely populated areas of Western Australia, causing public concern but no injuries.
• 1995: Srebrenica Massacre Begins: Serbian forces began the systematic massacre of over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys in Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, one of the worst atrocities of the Bosnian War and a stark reminder of ethnic cleansing.

Inventions/Discoveries on July 11th:

• 1899: Fiat Founded: The Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) was founded in Turin, growing into one of the world’s largest carmakers.
• 1962: Telstar Makes First Transatlantic TV Broadcast: Building on its launch the day before, Telstar 1 relayed the first live transatlantic television signal, showing images of a flag raising at a ground station in Maine.

July 12th: Espionage, Education, and Exploration

July 12th has been a day of dramatic espionage, significant steps in education, and continued human exploration.

• 1812: U.S. Invades Canada: During the War of 1812, American forces crossed into Canada at Windsor, Ontario, an early attempt at invasion that ultimately failed.
• 1859: The First Use of the Term “Dinosaur”: Richard Owen, a British anatomist, coined the term “dinosaur” (meaning “terrible lizard”) in a lecture, officially naming these extinct reptiles.
• 1962: The Rolling Stones First Performance: The legendary rock band The Rolling Stones played their first live gig at the Marquee Club in London, marking the beginning of their iconic career.
• 1979: “Disco Demolition Night”: A promotional event at a baseball game in Chicago where disco records were blown up, leading to a riot and becoming a symbolic moment in the backlash against disco music.
• 1998: France Wins World Cup: France won its first FIFA World Cup title, defeating Brazil 3-0 on home soil, a moment of national jubilation.
• 2000: Kursk Submarine Disaster: The Russian nuclear submarine Kursk sank in the Barents Sea after an internal explosion, killing all 118 crew members aboard, a major naval tragedy.

Inventions/Discoveries on July 12th:

• 1884: George Eastman Patents Roll Film: George Eastman, founder of Kodak, patented photographic roll film, a crucial invention that made photography more accessible and led to the development of flexible film.

July 13th: Revolution, Relief, and Rock ‘n’ Roll History

July 13th is marked by revolutionary events, massive humanitarian efforts, and pivotal moments in music history.

• 1793: Jean-Paul Marat Assassinated: During the French Revolution, the radical journalist and politician Jean-Paul Marat was assassinated by Charlotte Corday, an act that further inflamed the Reign of Terror.
• 1837: Queen Victoria Moves to Buckingham Palace: Queen Victoria officially moved into Buckingham Palace, establishing it as the primary residence of the British monarch.
• 1930: First FIFA World Cup Begins: The inaugural FIFA World Cup football (soccer) tournament kicked off in Uruguay, eventually won by the host nation.
• 1977: New York City Blackout: A major blackout plunged New York City into darkness for 25 hours, leading to widespread looting and disorder.
• 1985: Live Aid Concerts: The iconic Live Aid concerts, a massive dual-venue rock music festival, were held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia, raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. This was a truly unforgettable global event that harnessed the power of music for humanitarian aid.

July 14th: Storming, Space, and Social Progress

The final day of this week is celebrated for a revolutionary act, significant space missions, and strides in social equality.

• 1789: Storming of the Bastille: Parisian revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison, a medieval fortress and symbol of royal authority, marking a pivotal and symbolic event in the French Revolution. This day is now celebrated as Bastille Day in France.
• 1881: Billy the Kid Shot: The famous American outlaw Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in New Mexico, ending the life of a legendary figure of the American Old West.
• 1933: Gleichschaltung in Germany: Germany’s Nazi Party declared itself the only legal political party, effectively making Germany a one-party state and cementing Hitler’s dictatorial power.
• 1965: Mariner 4 Flies Past Mars: NASA’s Mariner 4 spacecraft became the first to successfully fly past Mars and send back close-up images of its surface, marking a significant milestone in planetary exploration.
• 2015: New Horizons Flies Past Pluto: NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft made its closest approach to Pluto, sending back unprecedented images and data, completing humanity’s initial reconnaissance of all the classical planets and dwarf planets in our solar system.
• 2015: Iran Nuclear Deal: The P5+1 group of world powers (China, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, United States) reached a landmark agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, aiming to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief.

Conclusion

The second week of July is a testament to the continuous unfolding of human history, featuring a remarkable blend of conflict and cooperation, invention and disaster, and the enduring quest for freedom and knowledge.

Friends, You may visit my web story section for more trending entertainment news, and upcoming movie trailers. You may join my Twitter Account for more news updates, Wordle, and more games answers and hints daily.

The First Week of July: Discovering History’s Secrets from July 1st-7th