Category Archives: JULY in HiSTORY

JULY 21 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1816 – Paul Reuter the German-English journalist was born on the 21st July 1816 (died 1899).

1899 – Ernest Hemingway the American writer and Nobel Prize laureate was born on the 21st July 1899 (died 1961).

1925 – Sir Malcolm Campbell (father of Donald Campbell) became the 1st man to break the 150 mph (241 km/h) land barrier on the 21st July 1925, at Pendine Sands in Wales.

1938 – Anton Kuerti the Austrian-Canadian pianist, composer, and conductor was born on the 21st July 1938.

1948 – Cat Stevens the English singer-songwriter and musician was born on the 21st July 1948.

1951 – Robin Williams the American comedian and actor was born on the 21st July 1951.

1955 – Taco the Dutch singer-songwriter and producer was born on the 21st July 1955.

1959 – Paul Vautin the Australian rugby player was born on the 21st July 1959.

1961 – Mercury-Redstone 4 Mission: Gus Grissom piloted Liberty Bell 7 on the 21st July 1961, becoming the 2nd American to go into space (in a suborbital mission).

1969 – Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the 1st humans to walk on the Moon on the 21st July 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission (20th July in North America).

1970 – The Aswan High Dam in Egypt was completed on the 21st July 1970, after 11 years of construction.

1983 – The world’s lowest temperature was recorded on the 21st July 1983, at Vostok StationAntarctica at −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F).

1989 – Juno Temple the English actress was born on the 21st July 1989.

2007 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows became the fastest-selling novel ever is published on the 21st July 2007, when it sold 15 million copies in the first 24 hours of its release.

2011 – NASA‘s Space Shuttle program ended with the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 on the 21st July 2011.

Today in History for July 21st ~ video presented by the Associated Press

JULY 20 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1903 – The Ford Motor Company shipped its 1st car on the 20th day of July in 1903.

1919 – Sir Edmund Hillary the New Zealand mountaineer and explorer was born on the 20th day of July in 1919 (d. 2008).

1938 – Natalie Wood the American actress was born on the 20th day of July in 1938 (d. 1981)

1945 – Kim Carnes the American singer and songwriter was born on the 20th day of July in 1945.

1953 – Dave Evans the Australian singer from AC/DC was born on the 20th day of July in 1953.

1953 – Marcia Hines the American born Australian singer was born on the 20th day of July in 1953.

1954 – Jay Jay French the guitarist from Twisted Sister was born on the 20th day of July in 1954.

1956 – Paul Cook the English musician from the Sex Pistols was born on the 20th day of July in 1956.

1963Martin Roberts the author, property expert, investor, entrepreneur and television presenter of Homes Under the Hammer was born on the 20th day of July in 1963.

1964 – Terri Irwin the American naturalist, and widow of Steve Irwin was born on the 20th day of July in 1964.

1968 – The first Special Olympics was held on the 20th day of July in 1968.

1969 – Apollo 11 successfully made the 1st manned landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the 1st humans to walk on the Moon, about 7 hours later.

1973 – Bruce Lee the American actor and martial artist died on the 20th day of July in 1973 (b. 1940).

1976 – Andrew Stockdale the Australian musician from Wolfmother was born on the 20th day of July in 1976.

2009The Project (originally The 7PM Project ) Australian talk show television program was first broadcast on the 20th July 2009. The 7PM Project was originally hosted by Charlie PickeringCarrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes (2009 – 2013), with rotating daily guest panellists. The Project official website: www.TheProjectTV.com.au | The Project Twitter verified: www.Twitter.com/TheProjectTV | The Project Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TheProjectTV | The Project ZeeBox | YouTube video: 7PM Project: 1st episode at 7pm 20th July 2009…

Today in History for July 20th ~ video presented by the Associated Press

JULY 19 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1789 – John Martin the English painter was born on the 19th day of July in 1789 (d. 1854).

1834 – Edgar Degas the French painter was born on the 19th day of July in 1834 (d. 1917).

1843 – Brunel’s steamship the SS Great Britain was launched on the 19th day of July in 1843. SS Great Britain became the largest vessel afloat in the world, and the 1st ocean going craft with an iron hull and screw propeller.

1895 – Xu Beihong the Chinese painter was born on the 19th day of July in 1895 (d. 1953).

1900 – The Paris Métro opened for operation on the 19th day of July in 1900.

1941 – Vikki Carr the American singer was born on the 19th day of July in 1941.

1947 – Brian May the English guitarist from Queen was born on the 19th day of July in 1947.

1981 – Nikki Osborne the  Australian actress, former model and television presenter was born on the 19th day of July in 1981. Nikki was best known as the former host of Quizmania, the late night interactive quiz series on the Nine Network, 2006 ~ 2007.

1983 – The first 3Dimensional reconstruction of a human head in a CT was published on the 19th day of July in 1983.

Today in History for July 19th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

JULY 18 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1817 – Jane Austen the English novelist died on the 18th day of July in 1817 (b. 1775)

1862 – The 1st ascent of Dent Blanche in the Alps, was made by T. S. Kennedy on the 18th day of July in 1862.

1903 ~ Victor Gruen the Austrian architect was born Viktor David Grünbaum on the 18th day of July in 1903 (died in 1980 aged 86). Victor Gruen was best known as a pioneer in the design of shopping malls in the United States. He is also known for his urban revitalisation proposals. Victor Gruen’s name and work inspired the title of a television program in Australia hosted by Wil Anderson, called The Gruen Transfer, which discusses the methods, science and psychology behind advertising. The very popular show on ABC1 was named after Victor Gruen who designed the very first shopping mall, from which the term “Gruen transfer” came from, which describes the moment when a consumer enters a shopping mall, surrounded by an intentionally confusing layout, and then loses track of their original intentions. Visit The Gruen Transfer now known as Gruen planet website.

Victor Gruen Austrian shopping mall architect Grünbaum smoking cigarette suit Transfer Planet
Victor Gruen the Austrian architect seen here smoking a cigarette, inspired Gruen Transfer & Gruen Planet (photo from The American Heritage Center Wyoming)

1918 ~ NELSON MANDELA the South African Nobel Peace Prize laureate and President of South Africa 1994-1999, was born on the 18th July 1918 (died 5th December 2013 aged 95). Nelson Mandela was the 1st black South African to hold the office, and the 1st elected in a fully representative, multiracial election. The Presidency of Nelson Mandela focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Nelson Mandela International Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009.

The Life & Times of Nelson Mandela .org official website South African anti-apartheid revolutionary politician President smiling younger old photo
The Life & Times of Nelson Mandela ~ www.NelsonMandela.org official website

1925 – Shirley Strickland the Australian athlete was born on the 18th day of July 1925 (d. 2004) Shirley Strickland won more Olympic medals than any other Australian in running sports.

1925 – Adolf Hitler published his personal manifesto Mein Kampf on the 18th day of July 1925.

1929 – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins the American singer was born on the 18th day of July 1929 (d. 2000)

1941 – Martha Reeves the American singer was born on the 18th day of July 1941.

1949 – Dennis Lillee the Australian cricketer was born on the 18th day of July 1949.

1950 – Sir Richard Branson the British entrepreneur was born on the 18th day of July 1950.

1950 – Glenn Hughes the American singer  from the Village People was born on the 18th day of July 1950 (d. 2001).

1962 – Shaun Micallef the Australian comedian was born on the 18th day of July 1962.

1967 – Vin Diesel the American actor was born on the 18th day of July 1967.

1968 – Intel was founded in Santa Clara, California on the 18th day of July 1968.

1968 – Grant Bowler the Australian actor was born on the 18th day of July 1968.

1969Elizabeth M. Gilbert the American author was born in  Waterbury, Connecticut on the 18th July 1969. Elizabeth M. Gilbert  is best known for her 2006 memoir book, Eat, Pray, Love, which spent 199 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, and was also made into a movie in 2010. Official website: ElizabethGilbert.com |

1971 – Sarah McLeod the New Zealand actress was born on the 18th day of July 1971.

1976 – Nadia Comăneci became the 1st person in Olympic Games history to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics, on the 18th day of July, at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

2009Nelson Mandela International Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 200. This day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, who was born on the 18th day of July 1918.

Today in History for July 18th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

JULY 17 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1717 – King George I of Great Britain sailed down the River Thames with a barge of 50 musicians, where George Frideric Handel‘s Water Music was premiered on the 17th day of July in 1717.

1797 – Hippolyte Delaroche the French painter was born on the 17th day of July in 1797 (d. 1856)

1839 – Ephraim Shay the American inventor of the geared steam locomotive was born on the 17th day of July in 1839 (d. 1916)

1898 – Berenice Abbott the American photographer was born on the 17th day of July in 1898 (d. 1991)

1917 – Phyllis Diller the American comedienne was born on the 17th day of July in 1917.

1918 – The RMS Carpathia, the ship that rescued the 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic in 1912, was sunk off Ireland by a German sub, on the 17th day of July in 1918.

1920 – Gordon Gould the American inventor of the laser was born on the 17th day of July in 1920.

1939 – Spencer Davis the British singer and guitarist from The Spencer Davis Group was born on the 17th day of July in 1939.

1940 – Tim Brooke-Taylor the English comedian best known from the Goodies, was born on the 17th day of July in 1940.

1949 – Terence “Geezer” Butler the British musician and lyricist  from Black Sabbath was born on the 17th day of July in 1949.

1950 – Phoebe Snow the American singer and songwriter was born on the 17th day of July in 1950 (d. 2011)

1951 – Lucie Arnaz the American actress was born on the 17th day of July in 1951.

1952 – David Hasselhoff the American actor and musician was born on the 17th day of July in 1952.

1952 – Nicolette Larson the American singer was born on the 17th day of July in 1952 (d. 1997)

1955 – Disneyland was opened by Walt Disney in Anaheim, California on the 17th day of July in 1955.

1982 – Natasha Hamilton the British singer from Atomic Kitten was born on the 17th day of July in 1982.

Today in History for July 17th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

JULY 16 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1486 ~ ANDREA DEL SARTO the Italian painter was born on the 16th day of July in 1486 (d. 1530).

1661 ~ The 1st BANKNOTES in Europe were issued by the Swedish bank Stockholms Banco on the 16th day of July in 1661.

1782 ~ The 1st performance of DiE ENTFüHRUNG AUS DEM SERAiL by WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART‘s opera was on the 16th day of July in 1782.

1796 ~ JEAN-BAPTiSTE-CAMiLLE COROT the French painter was born on the 16th day of July in 1796 (d. 1875).

1910 ~ JOHN ROBERTSON DUiGAN made the 1st flight of the DUiGAN PUSHER BiPLANE on the 16th day of July in 1910. The Duigan Pusher Biplane was the 1st aircraft built in Australia.

1935 ~ The world’s 1st PARKiNG METER was installed in Oklahoma City in the United States on the 16th day of July in 1935.

1942 ~ MARGARET COURT the Australian tennis player was born on the 16th day of July in 1942.

1951The CATCHER in The RYE book by J. D. Salinger was published for the 1st time by Little, Brown and Company on the 16th day of July in 1951.

1958 ~ MiCHAEL FLATLEY the American dancer was born on the 16th day of July in 1958.

1960LEiLA KENZLE the American actress best known for her role as Fran Devanow on Mad About You was born on the 16th day of July in 1960.

1963 ~ PHOEBE CATES the American actress was born on the 16th day of July in 1963.

1965 ~ The MONT BLANC TUNNEL linking France and Italy opened on the 16th day of July in 1965.

1967 ~ WiLL FERRELL the American comedian was born on the 16th day of July in 1967.

1969 ~ APOLLO 11, known as the 1st manned space mission to land on the Moon, was launched from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida on the 16th day of July in 1969.

Apollo-11 Saturn V-rocket launch 1969 Kennedy Space Center Nasa Neil Armstrong Buzz Aldrin Moon
The Saturn V rocket carrying Apollo 11 slowly rising past the launch tower camera, launched with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins & Buzz Aldrin, at 9:32 am EDT on 16th July 1969, Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A (Nasa photo*)

Apollo-11 Saturn-V rocket launch Mach1 American flag flying 16th July 1969 Kennedy-Space-Center Nasa
Condensation cloud forms as the Saturn V rocket approaches Mach1, one minute into the flight Apollo 11 attached to the rocket heads towards earth orbit, with the American flag flying in the foreground. The Apollo 11 astronauts: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins & Buzz Aldrin, at 9:32 a.m. EDT on the 16th July 1969, Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A (Nasa photo*)

*Nasa photos from Wikipedia & GRiN: GReat Images in Nasa

1971 ~ COREY FELDMAN the American actor was born on the 16th day of July in 1971.

1971ED KOWALCZYK the American singer from the band LiVE was born on the 16th day of July in 1971.

1981 ~ HARRY CHAPiN the American singer & songwriter died on the 16th day of July in 1981 (b. 1942).

Today in History for July 16th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

JULY 15 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1606 REMBRANDT HARMENSZOON VAN RiJN the Dutch painter was born on the 15th day of July in 1606 (died in 1669 aged 63).

Rembrandt Self-portrait cap eyes wide open face etching burin 1630 artwork cold-chisel black & white art engraving
Rembrandt’s Self-portrait in a cap with eyes wide open, face etching & burin from 1630 artwork

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee Rembrandt 1633 oil painting canvas sailing boat men Jesus christ waves
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt, 1633 oil painting on canvas, still missing after the robbery from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990

1944 MiLLiE JACKSON the American singer was born on the 15th day of July in 1944.

1946 ~ LiNDA RONSTADT the American singer was born on the 15th day of July in 1946.

1948 ~ ALiCiA BRiDGES the American singer was born on the 15th day of July in 1948.

1951 ~ JESSE VENTURA the American professional wrestler and politician was born on the 15th day of July in 1951.

1956 ~ JOE SATRiANi American guitarist was born on the 15th day of July in 1956.

1956 ~ iAN CURTiS the British singer and songwriter from JOY DiViSiON was born on the 15th day of July in 1956 (died in 1980 aged 23)

1954 ~ The 1st flight of the BOEiNG 367-80, the prototype for the BOEiNG 707 and C-135 series, was on the 15th day of July in 1954.

1963BRiGiTTE NiELSEN the Danish born actress was born on the 15th day of July in 1963.

1967 ADAM SAVAGE the co-host of the television series MYTHBUSTERS was born on the 15th day of July in 1967.

1973 ~ BRiAN AUSTiN GREEN the American actor best known as David Silver on BEVERLY HiLLS 90210, was born on the 15th day of July in 1973.

1974 ~ CHRiS TAYLOR the Australian comedian from The CHASER was born on the 15th day of July in 1974.

1985 ~ The NiNTENDO ENTERTAiNMENT SYSTEM aka NES was released in Japan on the 15th day of July in 1985.

Nintendo Entertainment System NES console Control Deck 8-bit video game 1980s gamming
Nintendo Entertainment System aka NES, console control deck 8 bit video game (photo by Evan-Amos)

1991 ~ I’m Too Sexy by English pop group Right Said Fred was released on the 15th July 1991. The single reached number 1 in Australia (ARIA), Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)Canada, Ireland (IRMA), New Zealand and U.S. (Billboard Hot 100). In the UK the song stayed at number 2 for 6 weeks, which equalled the record for the most weeks at number 2 without ever topping the chart, as set by Father Abraham ~ The Smurf Song (1978). I’m Too Sexy was kept off number 1 position by (Everything I Do) I Do It for You ~ Bryan AdamsYouTube video: Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy (1991)

2003 ~ AOL TiME WARNER disbanded Netscape Communications Corporation on the 15th day of July in 2003. The Mozilla Foundation was established on the same day.

Today in History for July 15th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

2012RiCK SPRiNGFiELD the Australian rock star from the 1980s, and actor from America’s longest-running American soap opera General Hospitaldropped into a Boronia restaurant, in the Outer Eastern suburb of Melbourne, for a bite to eat, then got up and spontaneously sang three songs on Sunday the 15th of July. See the Rick Springfield full story

Rick Springfield singing guitar Cove Steakhouse Wine Bar Grill Alchester Village Boronia restaurant
Rick Springfield’s spontaneous performance of “Jessie’s Girl” at Cove Steakhouse Wine Bar & Grill in Alchester Village, Boronia ~ 15 July 2012 (YouTube)

JULY 14 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1862 ~ GUSTAV KLiMT the Austrian painter and graphic artist, was born on the 14th day of July in 1862 (died in 1918 aged 55). The 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Gustav Klimt, was celebrated on Saturday 14th July 2012, with Google providing a Google Doodle dedication on the search engine homepage. “Adele Bloch-Bauer I” by Gustav Klimt  is the 4th most expensive painting ever sold in the world ($135 million), as of July 2012. See the current List of most expensive paintings

Adele Bloch-Bauer I oil painting Gustav Klimt sold $135 million gold paint woman
“Adele Bloch-Bauer I” 1907 oil painting by Gustav Klimt, sold for a record $135 million in 2006 to the Neue Galerie in New York, making it the most expensive painting in world for about 4 months. As of 2012 this painting is the 4th most expensive painting sold in the world.

1865 ~ The 1st ascent of the MATTERHORN was made by English illustrator and climber EDWARD WHYMPER on the 14th day of July in 1865.

Matterhorn Zmutt valley snow mountain waterfall alpine flowers Alps Switzerland Italy
The Matterhorn view from Zmutt valley in Switzerland (photo by Jeff Pang on Wikipedia)

1944Margaret Pomeranz (AM) the Australian film critic, producer and television personality was born on the 14th July 1944.

1946JOHN WOOD the Gold Logie Award winning Australian actor, best known for his role as Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon in Blue Heelers was born on the 14th day of July in 1946.

1947JOHN BLACKMAN the Australian radio and television presenter, was born on the 14th day of July in 1947. John Blackman is best known for his rich, dulcet, velvety tones in his voice-over work, as mentioned on his website: www.Blackman.com.au, and also known for his wonderful work on Hey Hey It’s Saturday from 1971 to 2010, as announcer and character voice-over as popular characters; Dickie Knee, The Angel, Doctor Ben Dover, Charlie Who, Mrs Macgillicuddy and others.

Dickie Knee on Hold John Blackman Hey Hey it's Saturday TV show voice over puppet blue hat cap mobile phone personalised message funny
Get a “Dickie on Hold” by John Blackman from the Hey Hey it’s Saturday TV show, with a Dickie Knee voice over personalised message

1952BOB CASALE aka BOB 2, the American guitarist in DEVO, was born on the 14th day of July in 1952.

1960KYLE GASS the American actor, singer and guitarist from TENACiOUS D, was born on the 14th day of July in 1960.

1966ELLEN REiD the Canadian pianist and vocalist from CRASH TEST DUMMiES, was born on the 14th day of July in 1966.

1966BRiAN SELZiCK the American author and illustrator, was born on the 14th day of July in 1966.

1969The UNiTED STATES $500, $1,000, $5,000 & $10,000 BiLLS were officially withdrawn from circulation on the 14th day of July in 1969.

1972 ~ DEBORAH MAiLMAN the Australian actress was born on the 14th day of July in 1972.

1987Dan Reynolds the American musician and frontman of Imagine Dragons was born on the 14th day of July in 1987.

Today in History for July 14th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

JULY 13 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1919 – The British airship R34 landed in Norfolk, England on the 13th July 1919, completing the 1st airship return journey across the Atlantic in a 182 hour flight.

1923 – The Hollywood Sign was officially dedicated in the hills above HollywoodLos Angeles, California on the 13th July 1923. It originally read Hollywoodland  but the 4 last letters were dropped after the sign was renovated in 1949.

1942 – Harrison Ford the American actor was born on the 13th July 1942.

1961 – Tim Watson the Australian footballer was born on the 13th July 1961.

1985 – The Live Aid benefit concert took place in LondonPhiladelphiaSydney and Moscow on the 13th July 1985.

1990 – An earthquake with its epicenter in Afghanistan on the 13th July 1990, resulting in the greatest number of fatalities in a mountaineering accident in High Asian mountains when an avalanche killed 43 climbers in Camp I on Pik Lenina (Lenin Peak).

2013 ~ CORY MONTEiTH the Canadian actor and singer died on the 13th May 2013 aged 31 (born 1982). Cory Monteith was best known for his role as Finn Hudson in the Glee television series from 2009 until he died in 2013.

Today in History for July 13th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

JULY 12 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1543 – King Henry VIII of England married his 6th and last wife, Catherine Parr on the 12th July 1543, at Hampton Court Palace.

1776 – Captain James Cook began his 3rd voyage on the 12th July 1776.

1806 – Liechtenstein was given full sovereignty on the 12th July 1806, after its accession to the Confederation of the Rhine.

1861 – Anton Arensky the Russian pianist, composer, and educator was born on the 12th July 1861 (died 1906).

1895 – Buckminster Fuller the American architect, engineer, author and designer of the Montreal Biosphère was born on the 12th July 1895 (died 1983).

1937 – Bill Cosby the American comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter was born on the 12th July 1937.

1943 – Christine McVie the English singer-songwriter and keyboard player from Fleetwood Mac was born on the 12th July 1943.

1950 – Eric Carr the American drummer from Kiss was born on the 12th July 1950 (died 1991).

1951 – Cheryl Ladd the American actress was born on the 12th July 1

1952 – Liz Mitchell the Jamaican singer from Boney M. was born on the 12th July 1952.

1962 – The Rolling Stones performed their 1st concert on the 12th July 1962, at the Marquee Club in London, England, United Kingdom.

1962 – Dan Murphy the American singer-songwriter and guitaris  from Soul Asylum was born on the 12th July 1962.

1969Tom Kapinos the American television executive producer and screenwriter best known for his creation of Californication was born on the 12th July 1969.

1971 – The Australian Aboriginal Flag was flown for the 1st time on the 12th July 1971.

1992 ~ TOTALLY WiLD, the Australian children’s television series first went to air on Network Ten on the 12th day of July in 1992. Totally Wild celebrated their 20th anniversary of production on the 12th July 2012.

Today in History for July 12th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…