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On This Day in History — July 31
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Highlights of July 31
- 2020 — A mid-air collision in Soldotna, Alaska, United States, killed seven people, including state representative Gary Knopp. Read more
- 2012 — The largest power outage in history occurred across 22 Indian states, affecting more than 620 million people, or about 9 percent of the world's population. Read more
- 2007 — The Troubles: Operation Banner, the British Armed Forces' operation in Northern Ireland, ended after 38 years with a military stalemate and ceasefire. Read more
- 2006 — Following intestinal surgery, Fidel Castro provisionally transferred the duties of the Cuban presidency to his brother Raúl. Read more
- 2002 — Hamas attackers detonated a bomb at the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, killing nine students and injuring about 100 more. Read more
- 2000 — Three years after being hit by a mudslide, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Hong Kong fully reopened. Read more
- 1991 — Soviet Special Purpose Police Unit troops killed seven Lithuanian customs officials in Medininkai in the most serious attack of their campaign against Lithuanian border posts. Read more
- 1975 — The Troubles: In a botched paramilitary attack, three members of the popular Miami Showband and two Ulster Volunteer Force gunmen were killed in County Down, Northern Ireland. Read more
- 1972 — The Troubles: Hours after the British Army's Operation Motorman brought an end to the self-declared autonomous area of Free Derry (Free Derry Corner pictured) in Northern Ireland, three car bombs exploded in the village of Claudy. Read more
- 1966 — The pleasure cruiser MV Darlwyne disappeared off the coast of Cornwall with the loss of all 31 people aboard. Read more
- 1954 — A team of Italian climbers became the first to reach the summit of K2, the world's second-highest mountain. Read more
- 1941 — The Holocaust: Under instructions from Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring authorised SS officer Reinhard Heydrich to handle preparations for the "Final Solution of the Jewish question". Read more
- 1924 — A private senator's bill by Herbert Payne to introduce compulsory voting in Australia became law. Read more
- 1917 — First World War: The Battle of Passchendaele began near Ypres, Belgium, with the Allies aiming to force German troops to withdraw from the Channel Ports. Read more
- 1874 — Patrick Francis Healy was inaugurated as president of Georgetown University, becoming the first African-American president of a predominantly white university in the United States. Read more
- 1777 — The Second Continental Congress passed a resolution commissioning the Marquis de Lafayette (pictured) as a major general in the American revolutionary forces. Read more
- 1667 — The Second Anglo-Dutch War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Breda. Read more
- 1009 — Sergius IV became the 142nd pope, succeeding John XVIII. Read more
Events
- 2020 — A De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser collide over Soldotna, Alaska, killing all seven people on board both aircraft, including state representative Gary Knopp. Read more
- 2014 — Gas explosions in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung kill at least 20 people and injure more than 270. Read more
- 2012 — Michael Phelps breaks the record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics. Read more
- 2008 — East Coast Jets Flight 81 crashes near Owatonna Degner Regional Airport in Owatonna, Minnesota, killing all eight people on board. Read more
- 2007 — Operation Banner, the presence of the British Army in Northern Ireland, and the longest-running British Army operation ever, comes to an end. Read more
- 2006 — Fidel Castro hands over power to his brother, Raúl. Read more
- 1999 — Discovery Program: Lunar Prospector: NASA intentionally crashes the spacecraft into the Moon, thus ending its mission to detect frozen water on the Moon's surface. Read more
- 1997 — FedEx Express Flight 14 crashes at Newark International Airport, injuring five. Read more
- 1992 — The nation of Georgia joins the United Nations. Read more
- 1992 — Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashes into a mountain north of Kathmandu, Nepal, killing all 113 people on board. Read more
- 1992 — China General Aviation Flight 7552 crashes during takeoff from Nanjing Dajiaochang Airport, killing 108. Read more
- 1992 — Space Shuttle program: Atlantis is launched on STS-46 to deploy the European Retrievable Carrier and the Tethered Satellite System. Read more
- 1991 — The United States and Soviet Union both sign the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the first to reduce (with verification) both countries' stockpiles. Read more
- 1988 — Thirty-two people are killed and 1,674 injured when a bridge at the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal collapses in Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia. Read more
- 1987 — A tornado occurs in Edmonton, Alberta, killing 27 people. Read more
- 1975 — The Troubles: Three members of a popular cabaret band and two gunmen are killed during a botched paramilitary attack in Northern Ireland. Read more
- 1973 — A Delta Air Lines jetliner, flight DL 723, crashes while landing in fog at Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts, killing 89. Read more
- 1972 — The Troubles: In Operation Motorman, the British Army re-takes the urban no-go areas of Northern Ireland. It is the biggest British military operation since the Suez Crisis of 1956, and the biggest in Ireland since the Irish War of Independence. Later that day, nine civilians are killed by car bombs in the village of Claudy. Read more
- 1971 — Apollo program: The Apollo 15 astronauts become the first to ride in a lunar rover. Read more
- 1970 — Black Tot Day: The last day of the officially sanctioned rum ration in the Royal Navy. Read more
- 1966 — The pleasure cruiser MV Darlwyne disappears off the Cornwall coast with the loss of all 31 aboard. Read more
- 1964 — Ranger program: Ranger 7 sends back the first close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than anything ever seen from earth-bound telescopes. Read more
- 1948 — At Idlewild Field in New York, New York International Airport (later renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport) is dedicated. Read more
- 1948 — USS Nevada is sunk by an aerial torpedo after surviving hits from two atomic bombs (as part of post-war tests) and being used for target practice by three other ships. Read more
- 1945 — Pierre Laval, the fugitive former leader of Vichy France, surrenders to Allied soldiers in Austria. Read more
- 1941 — The Holocaust: Under instructions from Adolf Hitler, Nazi official Hermann Göring orders SS General Reinhard Heydrich to "submit to me as soon as possible a general plan of the administrative material and financial measures necessary for carrying out the desired Final Solution of the Jewish question." Read more
- 1941 — World War II: The Battle of Smolensk concludes with Germany capturing about 300,000 Soviet Red Army prisoners. Read more
- 1938 — Bulgaria signs a non-aggression pact with Greece and other states of Balkan Antanti (Turkey, Romania, Yugoslavia). Read more
- 1938 — Archaeologists discover engraved gold and silver plates from King Darius the Great in Persepolis. Read more
- 1932 — The NSDAP (Nazi Party) wins more than 38% of the vote in German elections. Read more
- 1917 — World War I: The Battle of Passchendaele begins near Ypres in West Flanders, Belgium. Read more
- 1904 — Russo-Japanese War: Battle of Hsimucheng: Units of the Imperial Japanese Army defeat units of the Imperial Russian Army in a strategic confrontation. Read more
- 1874 — Patrick Francis Healy becomes the first African-American inaugurated as president of a predominantly white university, Georgetown University. Read more
- 1865 — The first narrow-gauge mainline railway in the world opens at Grandchester, Queensland, Australia. Read more
- 1856 — Christchurch, New Zealand, is chartered as a city. Read more
- 1790 — The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process. Read more
- 1777 — The U.S. Second Continental Congress passes a resolution that the services of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette "be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major-general of the United States." Read more
- 1763 — Odawa Chief Pontiac's forces defeat British troops at the Battle of Bloody Run during Pontiac's War. Read more
- 1741 — Charles Albert of Bavaria invades Upper Austria and Bohemia. Read more
- 1715 — Seven days after a Spanish treasure fleet of 12 ships left Havana, Cuba for Spain, 11 of them sink in a storm off the coast of Florida. A few centuries later, treasure is salvaged from these wrecks. Read more
- 1703 — Daniel Defoe is placed in a pillory for the crime of seditious libel after publishing a politically satirical pamphlet, but is pelted with flowers. Read more
- 1667 — The treaty of Breda ends the second Anglo-Dutch War and grants England in possession of New Amsterdam. Read more
- 1658 — Aurangzeb is proclaimed Mughal emperor of India. Read more
- 1655 — Russo-Polish War (1654–67): The Russian army enters the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Vilnius, which it holds for six years. Read more
- 1618 — Maurice, Prince of Orange disbands the waardgelders militia in Utrecht, a pivotal event in the Remonstrant/Counter-Remonstrant tensions. Read more
- 1498 — On his third voyage to the Western Hemisphere, Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to discover the island of Trinidad. Read more
- 1492 — All remaining Jews are expelled from Spain when the Alhambra Decree takes effect. Read more
- 1451 — Jacques Cœur is arrested by order of Charles VII of France. Read more
- 1423 — Hundred Years' War: Battle of Cravant: A Franco-Scottish army is defeated by the Anglo-Burgundians at Cravant on the banks of the river Yonne. Read more
- 1201 — Attempted usurpation by John Komnenos the Fat for the throne of Alexios III Angelos. Read more
- 1009 — Pope Sergius IV becomes the 142nd pope, succeeding Pope John XVIII. Read more
- 781 — The oldest recorded eruption of Mount Fuji (Traditional Japanese date: Sixth day of the seventh month of the first year of the Ten'o (天応) era). Read more
- 768 — Antipope Constantine II is arrested by primicerius Christopher and Lombard troops sent to aid him by king Desiderius. Read more
- 432 — Election of pope Sixtus III following the death of pope Celestine I four days prior. Read more
- 398 — End of the Gildonic rebellion after Gildo's forces are defeated by forces loyal to Western Roman Emperor Honorius under Gildo's brother Mascezel and Gildo's subsequent death. Read more
Born on July 31
- 2003 — Calvin Ramsay, Scottish footballer Read more
- 2002 — João Gomes, Brazilian singer Read more
- 2002 — Will Penisini, Australian-Tongan rugby league player Read more
- 2000 — Kim Sae-ron, South Korean actress (died 2025) Read more
- 1998 — Rico Rodriguez, American actor Read more
- 1997 — Bobbi Althoff, American podcaster and influencer Read more
- 1997 — Thomas Bryant, American basketball player Read more
- 1995 — Lil Uzi Vert, American hip hop artist Read more
- 1993 — Linus Ullmark, Swedish professional hockey player Read more
- 1992 — José Fernández, Cuban-American baseball player (died 2016) Read more
- 1992 — Ryan Johansen, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1992 — Kyle Larson, American race car driver Read more
- 1991 — Réka Luca Jani, Hungarian tennis player Read more
- 1989 — Victoria Azarenka, Belarusian tennis player Read more
- 1989 — Alexis Knapp, American actress Read more
- 1988 — Alex Glenn, New Zealand rugby league player Read more
- 1988 — A. J. Green, American football player Read more
- 1988 — Charlie Carver, American actor and writer Read more
- 1987 — Michael Bradley, American soccer player Read more
- 1986 — Evgeni Malkin, Russian ice hockey player Read more
- 1986 — Brian Orakpo, American football player Read more
- 1985 — Daniel Ciofani, Italian footballer Read more
- 1985 — Rémy Di Gregorio, French cyclist Read more
- 1982 — Anabel Medina Garrigues, Spanish tennis player Read more
- 1982 — DeMarcus Ware, American football player Read more
- 1981 — Titus Bramble, English footballer Read more
- 1981 — Vernon Carey, American football player Read more
- 1981 — Paul Whatuira, New Zealand rugby league player Read more
- 1980 — Mikko Hirvonen, Finnish race car driver Read more
- 1980 — Mils Muliaina, New Zealand rugby player Read more
- 1979 — Jaco Erasmus, South African-Italian rugby player Read more
- 1979 — J. J. Furmaniak, American baseball player Read more
- 1979 — Per Krøldrup, Danish footballer Read more
- 1979 — Carlos Marchena, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1979 — B. J. Novak, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Read more
- 1978 — Zac Brown, American country singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
- 1978 — Will Champion, English drummer (Coldplay)
- 1978 — Nick Sorensen, American football player and sportscaster Read more
- 1978 — Justin Wilson, English race car driver (died 2015) Read more
- 1976 — Joshua Cain, American guitarist and producer Read more
Died on July 31
- 2026 — Glenn A. Baker, Australian journalist and author (born 1952) Read more
- 2026 — Franco Baresi, Italian footballer (born 1960) Read more
- 2026 — Jakob Butturff, American bowler (born 1994) Read more
- 2024 — Paul Bucha, United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (born 1943) Read more
- 2024 — Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian politician, political leader of Hamas (born 1962/1963) Read more
- 2023 — Angus Cloud, American actor (born 1998) Read more
- 2022 — Fidel V. Ramos, 12th President of the Philippines (born 1928) Read more
- 2022 — Bill Russell, NBA Hall of Fame player and coach (born 1934) Read more
- 2020 — Alan Parker, English filmmaker (born 1944) Read more
- 2019 — Harold Prince, Broadway producer and director, who received more Tony awards than anyone else in history (born 1928) Read more
- 2018 — Tony Bullimore, British sailor and businessman (born 1939) Read more
- 2017 — Jeanne Moreau, French actress (born 1928) Read more
- 2016 — Chiyonofuji Mitsugu, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 58th Yokozuna (born 1955) Read more
- 2016 — Seymour Papert, South African mathematician (born 1928) Read more
- 2015 — Alan Cheuse, American writer and critic (born 1940) Read more
- 2015 — Howard W. Jones, American surgeon and academic (born 1910) Read more
- 2015 — Billy Pierce, American baseball player and sportscaster (born 1927) Read more
- 2015 — Roddy Piper, Canadian wrestler and actor (born 1954) Read more
- 2015 — Richard Schweiker, American soldier and politician, 14th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (born 1926) Read more
- 2014 — Warren Bennis, American scholar, author, and academic (born 1925) Read more
- 2014 — Nabarun Bhattacharya, Indian journalist and author (born 1948) Read more
- 2014 — Jeff Bourne, English footballer (born 1948) Read more
- 2014 — Wilfred Feinberg, American lawyer and judge (born 1920) Read more
- 2013 — Michael Ansara, Syrian-American actor (born 1922) Read more
- 2013 — Michel Donnet, English-Belgian general and pilot (born 1917) Read more
- 2013 — John Graves, American captain and author (born 1920) Read more
- 2013 — Trevor Storer, English businessman, founded Pukka Pies (born 1930) Read more
- 2012 — Mollie Hunter, Scottish author and playwright (born 1922) Read more
- 2012 — Alfredo Ramos, Brazilian footballer and coach (born 1924) Read more
- 2012 — Gore Vidal, American novelist, screenwriter, and critic (born 1925) Read more
- 2012 — Tony Sly, American musician, singer-songwriter (born 1970) Read more
- 2009 — Bobby Robson, English footballer and manager (born 1933) Read more
- 2009 — Harry Alan Towers, English-Canadian screenwriter and producer (born 1920) Read more
- 2005 — Wim Duisenberg, Dutch economist and politician, 1st President of the European Central Bank (born 1935) Read more
- 2004 — Virginia Grey, American actress (born 1917) Read more
- 2003 — Guido Crepax, Italian author and illustrator (born 1933) Read more
- 2001 — Francisco da Costa Gomes, Portuguese general and politician, 15th President of Portugal (born 1914) Read more
- 2001 — Friedrich Franz, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (born 1910) Read more
- 2000 — William Keepers Maxwell Jr., American editor, novelist, short story writer, and essayist (born 1908) Read more
- 1997 — Bảo Đại, Vietnamese emperor (born 1913) Read more
Holidays & observances
Christian feast day:
Abanoub; Christian feast day:
Blessed Cecília Schelingová; Christian feast day:
Blessed Solanus Casey; Christian feast day:
Fabius; Christian feast day:
Germanus of Auxerre; Christian feast day:
Giustino de Jacobis; Christian feast day:
Helena of Skövde; Christian feast day:
Ignatius of Loyola; Christian feast day:
Neot; Christian feast day:
July 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Earliest day on which the Feast of Kamál (Perfection) can fall, while August 1 is the latest; observed on the first day of the eighth month of the Baháʼí calendar. (Baháʼí Faith); End of the Trinity term (sitting of the High Court of Justice of England); Lā Hae Hawaiʻi Day (Hawaii, United States), and its related observance:
Sovereignty Restoration Day (Hawaiian sovereignty movement); Martyrdom Day of Shahid Udham Singh (Haryana and Punjab, India); Treasury Day (Poland); Warriors' Day (Malaysia)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “July 31”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.