This Day in History

Viking 1 Lands on Mars

Continuing the theme of space exploration, Viking 1 successfully landed on Mars on July 20, 1976. This mission, part of NASA’s Viking program, was the first U.S. mission to land a spacecraft safely on the surface of Mars and return images of the surface. The primary objectives of the Viking missions were to obtain high-resolution […]

Neil Armstrong Walks on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon, famously declaring, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” This moment occurred during the Apollo 11 mission, an event watched by millions around the globe and marking a watershed in the space race between […]

America Bombs Rome

On July 19, 1943, in one of the more controversial actions of World War II, Allied forces led by the United States conducted a bombing raid on Rome, targeting military and industrial locations within the then-fascist capital. This was the first of several raids aimed at crippling fascist infrastructure but spared some culturally and historically […]

Seneca Falls Convention Begins

The Seneca Falls Convention, which commenced on July 19, 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York, was a watershed moment in the history of the United States. This groundbreaking gathering was orchestrated by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, two influential abolitionists and activists who sought to address the systemic inequalities faced by women. Their efforts […]

Rosetta Stone Found

On July 19, 1799, the Rosetta Stone was discovered by French soldiers who were rebuilding a fort in Egypt. This granodiorite stele inscribed with a decree issued in Memphis, Egypt, in 196 BC during the Ptolemaic dynasty became one of the most famous artifacts in archaeology. The text is written in three scripts: hieroglyphic, Demotic, […]

Video of Titanic Wreckage Released

The first detailed video footage of the Titanic wreckage released on July 18, 1986, captured the public’s imagination and brought a sense of closure to one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. The footage was taken by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) named Jason Jr., which was deployed from the research vessel Knorr. The images […]

FDR Nominated for Unprecedented Third Term

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s nomination for an unprecedented third term as U.S. President on July 18, 1940, marked a pivotal moment in American political history. The Democratic Party’s decision to nominate him broke a longstanding tradition established by George Washington, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms. This move came at a critical juncture as Europe […]

Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” is Published

“Mein Kampf” was written by Adolf Hitler during his imprisonment in Landsberg Prison, following the failed Beer Hall Putsch of November 1923. This attempted coup aimed to overthrow the Weimar Republic and establish a new government based on nationalist and fascist principles. Hitler’s incarceration provided him with the time and motivation to articulate his beliefs […]

Superpowers Meet in Space

On July 17, 1975, a significant moment in the history of the Space Race occurred as American and Soviet spacecraft docked in orbit during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. This mission marked the first international spaceflight, symbolizing a thaw in U.S.-Soviet relations and serving as a precursor to future cooperative efforts in space exploration. The handshake […]

Disneyland Opens

The Vision of Walt Disney Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland was born out of a desire to create a place where both children and adults could experience joy and wonder together. He wanted to build a park that was clean, safe, and filled with imaginative attractions. His dream took shape over several years, and despite […]