On This Day in History — July 28

Highlights of July 28

• 2010 — In the deadliest air accident in Pakistan's history, Airblue Flight 202 crashed into the Margalla Hills north of Islamabad, killing all 152 aboard. Read more
• 2005 — Britain's costliest tornado struck Birmingham, injuring 39 people and causing £40 million of damage across the city. Read more
• 2005 — The Provisional Irish Republican Army announced the formal end of its armed campaign to overthrow British rule in Northern Ireland and create a united Ireland. Read more
• 2001 — At the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Australian Ian Thorpe became the first swimmer to win six gold medals at a single FINA world championship. Read more
• 1995 — Two followers of the Indian mystic Rajneesh were convicted of a 1985 plot to assassinate Charles Turner, the U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon. Read more
• 1976 — An earthquake registering 7.6 Mw, one of the deadliest in history, devastated Tangshan, China, and killed at least 240,000 people. Read more
• 1945 — A B-25 bomber crashed into the Empire State Building in New York City, killing 14 people and causing an estimated $1 million in damage. Read more
• 1940 — At the Salzburg Conference, Adolf Hitler demanded the replacement of much of Slovakia's cabinet. Read more
• 1939 — During the excavation of a 7th-century ship burial at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England, archaeologists discovered the Sutton Hoo helmet (pictured), widely associated with King Rædwald of East Anglia. Read more
• 1917 — In New York City, the NAACP and church and community leaders organized a silent march of at least 8,000 people to protest violence directed towards African Americans. Read more
• 1915 — U.S. Marines landed at Port-au-Prince to begin a nineteen-year occupation of Haiti. Read more
• 1911 — The Australasian Antarctic Expedition began with the departure of SY Aurora from London. Read more
• 1899 — A Category 1 hurricane (map pictured) made landfall in Azua Province in the Dominican Republic, destroying three large schooners at Santo Domingo; only one crew member on the three vessels survived. Read more
• 1866 — Aged 18, Vinnie Ream became the youngest artist and first woman to receive a United States government commission for a statue—that of Abraham Lincoln currently in the Capitol rotunda. Read more
• 1821 — Peruvian War of Independence: Argentine general José de San Martín declared the independence of Peru from the Spanish Empire. Read more
• 1540 — King Henry VIII of England had his chief minister Thomas Cromwell executed for treason and heresy. Read more
• 1148 — Crusades: The siege of Damascus ended in a decisive victory for the Muslims, leading to the disintegration of the Second Crusade. Read more

Events

• 2022 — Catastrophic floods devastate Eastern Kentucky, resulting in 45 fatalities and causing damage to thousands of homes and businesses. Read more
• 2018 — Australian Wendy Tuck becomes the first female skipper to win the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Read more
• 2017 — Nawaz Sharif was disqualified from office for life by Supreme Court of Pakistan after finding him guilty of corruption charges. Read more
• 2011 — While flying from Seoul, South Korea to Shanghai, China, Asiana Airlines Flight 991 develops an in-flight fire in the cargo hold. The Boeing 747-400F freighter attempts to divert to Jeju International Airport, but crashes into the sea South-West of Jeju island, killing both crew members on board. Read more
• 2010 — Airblue Flight 202 crashes into the Margalla Hills north of Islamabad, Pakistan, killing all 152 people aboard. It is the deadliest aviation accident in Pakistan history and the first involving an Airbus A321. Read more
• 2005 — The Provisional Irish Republican Army calls an end to its thirty-year-long armed campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland. Read more
• 2002 — Nine coal miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, are rescued after 77 hours underground. Read more
• 2002 — Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise Flight 9560 crashes after takeoff from Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, Russia, killing 14 of the 16 people on board. Read more
• 2001 — Australian Ian Thorpe becomes the first swimmer to win six gold medals at a single World Championship meeting. Read more
• 1996 — The remains of a prehistoric man are discovered near Kennewick, Washington. Such remains will be known as the Kennewick Man. Read more
• 1984 — Olympic Games: Games of the XXIII Olympiad: The summer Olympics were opened in Los Angeles. Read more
• 1976 — The Tangshan earthquake measuring between 7.8 and 8.2 moment magnitude flattens Tangshan in the People's Republic of China, killing 242,769 and injuring 164,851. Read more
• 1974 — Spetsgruppa A, Russia's elite special force, was formed. Read more
• 1973 — Summer Jam at Watkins Glen: Nearly 600,000 people attend a rock festival at the Watkins Glen International Raceway. Read more
• 1965 — Vietnam War: U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson announces his order to increase the number of United States troops in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000. Read more
• 1962 — Beginning of the 8th World Festival of Youth and Students. Read more
• 1960 — The German Volkswagen Act comes into force. Read more
• 1957 — Heavy rain and a mudslide in Isahaya, western Kyushu, Japan, kills 992. Read more
• 1945 — A U.S. Army B-25 bomber crashes into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building killing 14 and injuring 26. Read more
• 1943 — World War II: Operation Gomorrah: The Royal Air Force bombs Hamburg, Germany causing a firestorm that kills 42,000 German civilians. Read more
• 1942 — World War II: Soviet leader Joseph Stalin issues Order No. 227. In response to alarming German advances, all those who retreat or otherwise leave their positions without orders to do so are to be tried in a military court, with punishment ranging from duty in a shtrafbat battalion, imprisonment in a Gulag, or execution. Read more
• 1939 — The Sutton Hoo helmet is discovered. Read more
• 1938 — Hawaii Clipper disappears between Guam and Manila as the first loss of an airliner in trans-Pacific China Clipper service. Read more
• 1935 — First flight of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Read more
• 1932 — During the Great Depression, U.S. president Herbert Hoover orders the United States Army to forcibly evict the "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans gathered in Washington, D.C. Read more
• 1917 — Anti-lynching movement: The Silent Parade takes place in New York City, in protest against murders, lynchings, and other violence directed towards African Americans. Read more
• 1915 — The United States begins a 19-year occupation of Haiti. Read more
• 1914 — World War I: In the culmination of the July Crisis, Austria-Hungary declares war on the Kingdom of Serbia and begins the Great War. Read more
• 1911 — The Australasian Antarctic Expedition began as the SY Aurora departed London. Read more
• 1896 — The city of Miami is incorporated. Read more
• 1883 — A moderate earthquake measuring magnitude 4.3–5.2 strikes the Italian island of Ischia, killing over 2,300 people. Read more
• 1868 — The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is certified, establishing African American citizenship and guaranteeing due process of law. Read more
• 1866 — At the age of 18, Vinnie Ream becomes the first and youngest female artist to receive a commission from the United States government for a statue (of Abraham Lincoln). Read more
• 1864 — American Civil War: In the Battle of Ezra Church, Confederate troops make a third unsuccessful attempt under General John Bell Hood to prevent Union forces led by General William T. Sherman from approaching Atlanta, Georgia. Read more
• 1854 — USS Constellation (1854), the last all-sail warship built by the United States Navy and current museum ship in Baltimore Harbor, is commissioned. Read more
• 1821 — José de San Martín declares the independence of Peru from Spain. Read more
• 1809 — Peninsular War: Sir Arthur Wellesley's British, Portuguese and Spanish army repulse a French force led by Joseph Bonaparte in the Battle of Talavera. Read more
• 1808 — Mahmud II became Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and Caliph of Islam. Read more
• 1794 — French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre and Louis Antoine de Saint-Just are executed by guillotine in Paris, France. Read more
• 1778 — Constitution of the province of Cantabria ratified at the Assembly Hall in Bárcena la Puente, Reocín, Spain. Read more
• 1656 — Second Northern War: Battle of Warsaw begins. Read more
• 1635 — Eighty Years' War: The Spanish capture the strategic Dutch fortress of Schenkenschans. Read more
• 1571 — La Laguna encomienda, known today as the Laguna province in the Philippines, is founded by the Spaniards as one of the oldest encomiendas (provinces) in the country. Read more
• 1540 — Henry VIII of England marries his fifth wife, Catherine Howard. Read more
• 1540 — Thomas Cromwell is executed after having been condemned untried, using a bill of attainder which Cromwell had used against his opponents. Read more
• 1402 — Ottoman-Timurid Wars: Battle of Ankara: Timur, ruler of Timurid Empire, defeats forces of the Ottoman Empire sultan Bayezid I. Read more
• 1364 — Troops of the Republic of Pisa and the Republic of Florence clash in the Battle of Cascina. Read more
• 484 — Pope Felix III excommunicated patriarch Acacius of Constantinople for his support of the Henoticon and his support of the removal of patriarch John Talaia, leading to the Acacian schism. Read more

Born on July 28

• 2003 — Malik Nabers, American football player Read more
• 2000 — Emile Smith Rowe, English footballer Read more
• 1999 — GloRilla, American rapper Read more
• 1996 — Harriet Dart, British tennis player Read more
• 1994 — Walker Buehler, American baseball player Read more
• 1994 — Hyojung, South Korean singer Read more
• 1993 — Harry Kane, English footballer Read more
• 1993 — Evan Rodrigues, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1993 — Cher Lloyd, English singer Read more
• 1992 — Spencer Boldman, American actor Read more
• 1990 — Soulja Boy, American rapper, producer, and actor Read more
• 1990 — Simone Pizzuti, Italian footballer Read more
• 1988 — Gunnar Nelson, Icelandic professional fighter and mixed martial artist Read more
• 1987 — Yevhen Khacheridi, Ukrainian-Greek footballer Read more
• 1987 — Pedro, Spanish footballer Read more
• 1987 — Christofer Ranzmaier, Austrian politician Read more
• 1986 — Alexandra Chando, American actress Read more
• 1986 — Lauri Korpikoski, Finnish ice hockey player Read more
• 1986 — Essence Carson, American basketball player Read more
• 1986 — Nolan Gerard Funk, Canadian actor Read more
• 1985 — Mathieu Debuchy, French footballer Read more
• 1985 — Dustin Milligan, Canadian actor, producer, and screenwriter Read more
• 1984 — Ali Krieger, American soccer player Read more
• 1984 — Zach Parise, American ice hockey player Read more
• 1984 — DeMeco Ryans, American football player and coach Read more
• 1984 — John David Washington, American actor and football player Read more
• 1983 — Sam Dastyari, Iranian-Australian politician Read more
• 1983 — Cody Hay, Canadian figure skater Read more
• 1983 — Ilir Latifi, Swedish-Kosovar mixed martial artist Read more
• 1982 — Cain Velasquez, Mexican-American mixed martial artist and wrestler Read more
• 1981 — Michael Carrick, English footballer and coach Read more
• 1981 — Willie Green, American basketball player and coach Read more
• 1979 — Henrik Hansen, Danish footballer Read more
• 1979 — Birgitta Haukdal, Icelandic singer-songwriter and producer Read more
• 1979 — Lee Min-woo, South Korean singer-songwriter and dancer Read more
• 1979 — Alena Popchanka, Belarusian-French swimmer and coach Read more
• 1978 — Kārlis Vērdiņš, Latvian poet Read more
• 1978 — Hitomi Yaida, Japanese singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
• 1977 — Aki Berg, Finnish-Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1977 — Manu Ginóbili, Argentinian basketball player Read more

Died on July 28

• 2025 — Laura Dahlmeier, German biathlete, Olympic champion (born 1993) Read more
• 2024 — John Anderson, Scottish television personality, teacher and coach (born 1931) Read more
• 2024 — Doug Creek, American baseball player (born 1969) Read more
• 2024 — Reyes Moronta, Dominican baseball player (born 1993) Read more
• 2024 — Francine Pascal, American author (born 1932) Read more
• 2022 — Bernard Cribbins, British actor (born 1928) Read more
• 2021 — Dusty Hill, American musician (born 1949) Read more
• 2020 — Junrey Balawing, Filipino record holder (born 1993) Read more
• 2018 — Wanny van Gils, Dutch footballer (born 1959) Read more
• 2016 — Émile Derlin Zinsou, Beninese politician (born 1918) Read more
• 2016 — Mahasweta Devi, Indian Bengali fiction writer and socio-political activist (born 1926) Read more
• 2015 — Jan Kulczyk, Polish businessman (born 1950) Read more
• 2015 — Edward Natapei, Vanuatuan politician, 6th Prime Minister of Vanuatu (born 1954) Read more
• 2015 — Clive Rice, South African cricketer and coach (born 1949) Read more
• 2014 — Alex Forbes, Scottish footballer and manager (born 1925) Read more
• 2014 — Alakbar Mammadov, Azerbaijani footballer and manager (born 1930) Read more
• 2013 — Mustafa Adrisi, Ugandan general and politician, 3rd Vice President of Uganda (born 1922) Read more
• 2013 — Eileen Brennan, American actress and singer (born 1932) Read more
• 2013 — Rita Reys, Dutch jazz singer (born 1924) Read more
• 2013 — William Scranton, American captain and politician, 13th United States Ambassador to the United Nations (born 1917) Read more
• 2013 — Ersilio Tonini, Italian cardinal (born 1914) Read more
• 2012 — Colin Horsley, New Zealand-English pianist and educator (born 1920) Read more
• 2012 — Sepp Mayerl, Austrian mountaineer (born 1937) Read more
• 2012 — William F. Milliken Jr., American race car driver and engineer (born 1911) Read more
• 2011 — Abdul Fatah Younis, Libyan general (born 1944) Read more
• 2009 — Jim Johnson, American football player and coach (born 1941) Read more
• 2007 — Karl Gotch, Belgian-American wrestler and trainer (born 1924) Read more
• 2007 — Jim LeRoy, American soldier and pilot (born 1961) Read more
• 2006 — David Gemmell, English author (born 1948) Read more
• 2004 — Francis Crick, English biologist and biophysicist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1916) Read more
• 2004 — Tiziano Terzani, Italian journalist and author (born 1938) Read more
• 2003 — Valerie Goulding, Irish activist and politician (born 1918) Read more
• 2002 — Archer John Porter Martin, English chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1910) Read more
• 2001 — Ahmed Sofa, Bangladeshi poet, author, and critic (born 1943) Read more
• 2000 — Abraham Pais, Dutch-American physicist and historian (born 1918) Read more
• 1999 — Trygve Haavelmo, Norwegian economist and mathematician, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1911) Read more
• 1998 — Zbigniew Herbert, Polish poet and author (born 1924) Read more
• 1998 — Lenny McLean, English boxer, actor, and author (born 1949) Read more
• 1998 — Consalvo Sanesi, Italian racing driver (born 1911) Read more
• 1997 — Rosalie Crutchley, English actress (born 1920) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Alphonsa Muttathupadathu (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church); Christian feast day: Botvid; Christian feast day: Jaime Hilario Barbal; Christian feast day: Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel, Henry Purcell (Episcopal Church commemoration); Christian feast day: Johann Sebastian Bach, Heinrich Schütz, George Frederick Handel (Lutheran commemoration); Christian feast day: Nazarius and Celsus; Christian feast day: Pedro Poveda Castroverde; Christian feast day: Pope Victor I; Christian feast day: Samson of Dol; Christian feast day: July 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval (Canada); Fiestas Patrias, celebrates the independence of Peru from Spain by General José de San Martín in 1821.; Liberation Day (San Marino); Ólavsøka Eve (Faroe Islands); World Hepatitis Day

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