On This Day in History — July 14

Highlights of July 14

• 2016 — A man deliberately drove a truck into crowds in Nice, France, resulting in 86 deaths. Read more
• 2014 — Lightning strikes started four fires in the Methow Valley in the U.S. state of Washington, collectively known as the Carlton Complex Fire. Read more
• 2003 — Valerie Plame's identity as a CIA operative was leaked to and published by journalist Robert Novak. Read more
• 1987 — More than 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain fell in a two-and-a-half-hour period in parts of Montreal, causing severe flooding. Read more
• 1960 — Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 1-11 ditched off Polillo Island in the Philippines, killing one person and injuring 44 others. Read more
• 1950 — Korean War: North Korean troops began attacking the headquarters of the American 24th Infantry Division in present-day Daejeon, South Korea. Read more
• 1916 — The Battle of Delville Wood began as an action within the Battle of the Somme, lasting until 3 September 1916. Read more
• 1902 — The medieval St Mark's Campanile in Venice collapsed, also demolishing the Loggetta del Sansovino. Read more
• 1902 — An expedition led by Peruvian explorer and farmer Agustín Lizárraga discovered the Incan city of Machu Picchu (pictured). Read more
• 1881 — While on the run from a death sentence, American outlaw Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sherriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Read more
• 1874 — A fire destroyed 812 structures and killed 20 people in Chicago, leading to reforms in the city's fire-prevention and firefighting efforts. Read more
• 1865 — A seven-man mountaineering team made the first ascent of the Matterhorn, marking the end of the golden age of alpinism. Read more
• 1798 — The Sedition Act became law, making it a federal crime to write, publish, or utter false or malicious statements about the U.S. federal government. Read more
• 1791 — The Priestley Riots, targeting religious dissenters such as Joseph Priestley, began in Birmingham, England. Read more
• 1789 — The Bastille, a fortress and prison in Paris, was stormed by a crowd during the flashpoint of the French Revolution. Read more
• 1455 — 1454–1466 Thirteen Years' War: The Battle for Kneiphof ended with a decisive victory for the Teutonic Order. Read more
• 1223 — Louis VIII (seal pictured) began his three-year reign as King of France. Read more

Events

• 2019 — A GippsAero GA8 Airvan crashes in Umeå, Sweden, killing all nine aboard. Read more
• 2016 — A man ploughs a truck into a Bastille Day celebration in Nice, France, killing 86 people and injuring another 434 before being shot by police. Read more
• 2015 — NASA's New Horizons probe performs the first flyby of Pluto, and thus completes the initial survey of the Solar System. Read more
• 2013 — Dedication of the statue of Rachel Carson, a sculpture of the environmentalist, in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Read more
• 2002 — French president Jacques Chirac escapes an assassination attempt from Maxime Brunerie during a Bastille Day parade at Champs-Élysées. Read more
• 2001 — Australian criminal Bradley John Murdoch murders British tourist Peter Falconio and abducts his girlfriend in the Northern Territory. Read more
• 2001 — Rus Flight 9633 crashes during takeoff from Chkalovsky Airport, killing all 10 people on board. Read more
• 1983 — Mario Bros. is released in Japan, beginning the popular Super Mario Bros franchise. Read more
• 1965 — Mariner 4 flyby of Mars takes the first close-up photos of another planet. The photographs take approximately six hours to be transmitted back to Earth. Read more
• 1960 — Jane Goodall arrives at the Gombe Stream Reserve in present-day Tanzania to begin her study of chimpanzees in the wild. Read more
• 1960 — Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 1-11 ditches off Polillo Island in the Philippines, killing one person and injuring 44. Read more
• 1958 — In the 14 July Revolution in Iraq, the monarchy is overthrown by popular forces led by Abd al-Karim Qasim, who becomes the nation's new leader. Read more
• 1957 — Rawya Ateya takes her seat in the National Assembly of Egypt, thereby becoming the first female parliamentarian in the Arab world. Read more
• 1951 — Ferrari take their first Formula One grand prix victory at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Read more
• 1950 — Korean War: beginning of the Battle of Taejon. Read more
• 1948 — Palmiro Togliatti, leader of the Italian Communist Party, is shot and wounded near the Italian Parliament. Read more
• 1943 — In Diamond, Missouri, the George Washington Carver National Monument becomes the first United States National Monument in honor of an African American. Read more
• 1942 — In the Wardha session of Congress, the "Quit India" resolution is approved, authorising Mahatma Gandhi to campaign for India's independence from Britain. Read more
• 1933 — In a decree called the Gleichschaltung, Adolf Hitler abolishes all German political parties except the Nazis. Read more
• 1933 — Nazi eugenics programme begins with the proclamation of the Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring requiring the compulsory sterilization of any citizen who suffers from alleged genetic disorders. Read more
• 1916 — World War I: Battle of Delville Wood begins as an action within the Battle of the Somme, lasting until 3 September 1916. Read more
• 1915 — Beginning of the McMahon–Hussein Correspondence between Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca and the British official Henry McMahon concerning the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Read more
• 1911 — Harry Atwood, an exhibition pilot for the Wright brothers, is greeted by president William Howard Taft after he lands his aeroplane on the South Lawn of the White House, having flown from Boston. Read more
• 1902 — Peruvian explorer and farmer Agustín Lizárraga discovers Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas". Read more
• 1902 — The Campanile in St Mark's Square, Venice collapses, also demolishing the loggetta. Read more
• 1900 — Armies of the Eight-Nation Alliance capture Tientsin during the Boxer Rebellion. Read more
• 1881 — American outlaw Billy the Kid is shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in the Maxwell House at Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Read more
• 1874 — The Chicago Fire of 1874 burns down 47 acres of the city, destroying 812 buildings, killing 20, and resulting in the fire insurance industry demanding municipal reforms from Chicago's city council. Read more
• 1865 — The first ascent of the Matterhorn is completed by Edward Whymper and his party, four of whom die on the descent. Read more
• 1853 — Opening of the first major US world's fair, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York City. Read more
• 1808 — The Finnish War: the Battle of Lapua is fought. Read more
• 1798 — The Sedition Act of 1798 becomes law in the United States making it a federal crime to write, publish, or utter false or malicious statements about the United States government. Read more
• 1791 — Beginning of Priestley Riots (to 17 July) in Birmingham targeting Joseph Priestley as a supporter of the French Revolution. Read more
• 1790 — Inaugural Fête de la Fédération is held to celebrate the unity of the French people and the national reconciliation. Read more
• 1789 — Storming of the Bastille in Paris. This event escalates the widespread discontent into the French Revolution. Bastille Day is still celebrated annually in France. Read more
• 1771 — Foundation of the Mission San Antonio de Padua in modern California by the Franciscan friar Junípero Serra. Read more
• 1769 — An expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá leaves its base in San Diego and sets out to find the Port of Monterey (now Monterey, California). Read more
• 1596 — Anglo-Spanish War: English and Dutch troops sack the Spanish city of Cádiz before leaving the next day. Read more
• 1456 — John Hunyadi and his forces defeat the Ottoman fleet on the Danube, allowing them to reinforce and supply the besieged city of Belgrade. Read more
• 1430 — Joan of Arc, taken by the Burgundians in May, is handed over to Pierre Cauchon, the bishop of Beauvais. Read more
• 1420 — Battle of Vítkov Hill, decisive victory of Czech Hussite forces commanded by Jan Žižka against Crusade army led by Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor. Read more
• 1223 — Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father, Philip II. Read more
• 982 — King Otto II and his Frankish army are defeated by the Muslim army of al-Qasim at Cape Colonna, Southern Italy. Read more

Born on July 14

• 2004 — Noah Clowney, American basketball player Read more
• 2003 — Haley Winn, American hockey player Read more
• 1997 — Neekolul, American internet personality Read more
• 1995 — Harrison Butker, American football player Read more
• 1995 — Kim In-hyeok, South Korean volleyball player (died 2022) Read more
• 1994 — Lucas Giolito, American baseball player Read more
• 1990 — Paulo Muacho, Portuguese politician Read more
• 1988 — Conor McGregor, Irish mixed martial artist Read more
• 1988 — Jérémy Stravius, French swimmer Read more
• 1987 — Adam Johnson, English footballer Read more
• 1987 — Dan Reynolds, American singer-songwriter Read more
• 1986 — Dan Smith, British singer, songwriter and record producer Read more
• 1985 — Darrelle Revis, American football player Read more
• 1985 — Phoebe Waller-Bridge, English actress and screenwriter Read more
• 1984 — Dagbjört Hákonardóttir, Icelandic politician Read more
• 1984 — Samir Handanović, Slovenian footballer Read more
• 1977 — Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden Read more
• 1975 — Tim Hudson, American baseball player Read more
• 1972 — Steph Bridge, British World Champion kitesurfer Read more
• 1971 — Bubba Ray Dudley, American professional wrestler Read more
• 1967 — Robin Ventura, American baseball player Read more
• 1966 — Matthew Fox, American actor Read more
• 1961 — Jackie Earle Haley, American actor and director Read more
• 1961 — Howard Lutnick, American businessman, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, secretary of commerce in the Trump administration Read more
• 1960 — Anna Bligh, Australian politician, 37th Premier of Queensland Read more
• 1960 — Kyle Gass, American musician, comedian, and actor Read more
• 1960 — Angélique Kidjo, Beninese singer-songwriter, activist and actress Read more
• 1960 — Jane Lynch, American actress (Glee), comedian, author, and game show host Read more
• 1952 — Bob Casale, American musician, member of Devo (died 2014) Read more
• 1950 — Bruce Oldfield, English fashion designer Read more
• 1950 — Andy Newmark, American session and touring drummer (Carly Simon, George Harrison; John Lennon) Read more
• 1949 — Tommy Mottola, American businessman and music publisher Read more
• 1948 — Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, Zulu king (died 2021) Read more
• 1947 — John Blackman, Australian radio and television presenter (died 2024) Read more
• 1947 — Navin Ramgoolam, Mauritius physician and politician, 3rd Prime Minister of Mauritius Read more
• 1945 — Jim Gordon, American rock drummer and convicted murderer (died 2023) Read more
• 1942 — Javier Solana, Spanish physicist and politician, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Read more
• 1941 — Maulana Karenga, American philosopher, author, and activist, created Kwanzaa Read more
• 1941 — Andreas Khol, German-Austrian lawyer and politician Read more
• 1940 — Susan Howatch, English author and academic Read more

Died on July 14

• 2025 — B. Saroja Devi, Indian actress (born 1938) Read more
• 2025 — Andrea Gibson, American poet and activist (born 1975) Read more
• 2025 — John MacArthur, American evangelical preacher (born 1939) Read more
• 2025 — Fauja Singh, British-Indian centenarian marathon runner Read more
• 2024 — Jacoby Jones, American football player (born 1984) Read more
• 2022 — Ivana Trump, Czech-American socialite and model (born 1949) Read more
• 2020 — Rosa, Spanish-born cow on French television (born 2001) Read more
• 2017 — Maryam Mirzakhani, Iranian mathematician (born 1977) Read more
• 2005 — Cicely Saunders, English hospice founder (born 1918) Read more
• 2000 — Pepo, Chilean cartoonist; creator of Condorito (born 1911) Read more
• 1998 — Richard McDonald, American businessman, co-founded McDonald's (born 1909) Read more
• 1993 — Léo Ferré, Monacan singer-songwriter, pianist, and poet (born 1916) Read more
• 1991 — Constance Stokes, Australian painter (born 1906) Read more
• 1986 — Raymond Loewy, French-American industrial designer (born 1893) Read more
• 1984 — Ernest Tidyman, American author and screenwriter; Academy Award winner for The French Connection (born 1928) Read more
• 1984 — Philippe Wynne, American soul singer (The Spinners) (born 1941) Read more
• 1980 — Carlos López Moctezuma, Mexican actor (born 1909). Read more
• 1974 — Carl Spaatz, American World War II general; commander of the Strategic Air Forces in Europe (born 1891) Read more
• 1970 — Preston Foster, American actor (born 1900) Read more
• 1968 — Konstantin Paustovsky, Russian author and poet (born 1892) Read more
• 1967 — Tudor Arghezi, Romanian author and poet (born 1880) Read more
• 1966 — Julie Manet, French painter and art collector (born 1878) Read more
• 1965 — Adlai Stevenson II, American soldier and politician, 5th United States Ambassador to the United Nations (born 1900) Read more
• 1954 — Jacinto Benavente, Spanish author and playwright, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1866) Read more
• 1939 — Alphonse Mucha, Czech painter and illustrator (born 1860) Read more
• 1937 — Julius Meier, American businessman and politician, 20th Governor of Oregon (born 1874) Read more
• 1936 — Dhan Gopal Mukerji, Indian-American author and scholar (born 1890) Read more
• 1918 — Quentin Roosevelt, American lieutenant and pilot (born 1897) Read more
• 1917 — Octave Lapize, French cyclist (born 1887) Read more
• 1910 — Marius Petipa, French dancer and choreographer (born 1818) Read more
• 1907 — William Henry Perkin, English chemist and academic (born 1838) Read more
• 1904 — Paul Kruger, South African politician, 5th President of the South African Republic (born 1824) Read more
• 1881 — William H. Bonney aka Billy the Kid, American gunfighter and outlaw (born 1859 or 1860) Read more
• 1876 — John Buckley, English soldier, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1813) Read more
• 1856 — Edward Vernon Utterson, English lawyer and historian (born 1775) Read more
• 1850 — August Neander, German historian and theologian (born 1789) Read more
• 1840 — Sir George Pocock, 1st Baronet, English politician and peer (born 1765) Read more
• 1834 — Edmond-Charles Genêt, French-American diplomat (born 1763) Read more
• 1827 — Augustin-Jean Fresnel, French physicist and engineer, reviver of wave theory of light, inventor of catadioptric lighthouse lens (born 1788) Read more
• 1817 — Germaine de Staël, French philosopher and author (born 1766) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Blessed Angeline of Marsciano; Christian feast day: Gaspar de Bono; Christian feast day: Camillus of Lellis (Roman Catholic Church, except in the United States); Christian feast day: Deusdedit of Canterbury; Christian feast day: Francis Solanus; Christian feast day: Blessed Ghébrē-Michael; Christian feast day: John Keble (Church of England); Christian feast day: Samson Occom (Episcopal Church (United States); Christian feast day: July 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Bastille Day (France and dependencies); International Non-Binary People's Day; Republic Day (Iraq); Victoria Day (Sweden). The birthday of Crown Princess Victoria is an official flag flying day in Sweden.; North Korean Defectors' Day (in South Korea)

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