2024July

July 31: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

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Did you know that on this day, July 31, 1970, the Royal Navy stopped its issue of daily rum to its sailors?

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July 31st celebrates Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day and Avocado Day.

We are now on the 213th day of the year, congratulations for making it this far into 2024. There are 153 days remaining until the end of the year.

Here we’re going to find out what makes the last day of July an important day in history. You’ll learn about the historical events that happened on this day, as well as some notable facts and celebrity births.

Did you know that on this day in 1970, the Royal Navy stopped its issue of daily rum to its sailors? This was mainly due to problems of drunkenness aboard their naval vessels.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about July 31st in history!

Events

What memorable events happened on July 31 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2016

The first edition of the script for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” was published.

2012

Michael Phelps broke the world record for the most medals won at the Olympics.

With a total of six medals (four gold and two silver), he broke the previous record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina.

1999

NASA’s Lunar Prospector spacecraft was deliberately crashed into the Moon’s south pole.

Launched aboard an Athena II rocket on January 7, 1998, the Lunar Prospector’s primary goal was to map the moon’s polar regions and analyze the surface’s composition. It was thought that there might be hydrogen deposits at the Lunar south pole. Once the mission came to its end, the Lunar Prospector was crashlanded there in the hopes that its impact would shoot out a plume of the theorized hydrogen, confirming its existence. The crashlanding was a success, but unfortunately, no plume was visible, and the theory was ultimately rejected.

1995

Disney bought Capital Cities, ABC, and ESPN for $19 billion.

1992

The country of Georgia joined the United Nations shortly after the country became independent.

OTD in 1992: The country of Georgia joined the United Nations shortly after the country became independent.

1970

The Royal Navy began rationing rum.

Now known as “Black Tot Day,” sailors were only allowed two servings of rum daily, consisting of four parts water and one part rum.

1966

Christians burned Beatles records because of John Lennon’s negative comments about Jesus.

OTD in 1966: Christians burned Beatles records because of John Lennon's negative comments about Jesus.

1964

The Rolling Stones began the first of two concerts in Ireland.

Their performance started at 12:30 in the evening to a full house.

1959

Cliff Richard and The Drifters’ single “Living Doll” reached number one in the UK charts and stayed there for six weeks.

1856

Christchurch, New Zealand, became the colony’s first city by royal charter.

Christchurch’s name had already been decided before the first European colonist ships arrived in New Zealand. The name’s origin is unclear, but it’s commonly accepted that it was most likely named after Oxford University’s Christ Church College.

1790

Samuel Hopkins was awarded the first US patent.

Hopkins had invented a new way to get greater yields of higher quality potash, a basic form of potassium carbonate used to make soap, glass, gunpowder, and fertilizers. It was a pretty big deal back then, and both President George Washington and Thomas Jefferson signed the patent.

1786

The satirical book “Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect” by Robert Burns was published.

OTD in 1786: The satirical book "Poems

1498

Christopher Columbus discovered Trinity Islands.

1201

Nobleman John Komnenos the Fat attempted to steal the imperial throne from Alexios III Angelos.

The very short coup to take Constantinople was unsuccessful and led to John Komnenos’s death.

Famous Births

Is today your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Joey Richter. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1965

J. K. Rowling

British

Author

J. K. Rowling

Age:

58 years old

Born In:

England, UK

1988

Charlie Carver

American

Actor

Charlie Carver

Age:

35 years old

Born In:

California, USA

1979

B. J. Novak

American

Actor

B. J. Novak

Age:

44 years old

Born In:

Massachusetts, USA

1989

Joey Richter

American

Actor

Joey Richter

Age:

34 years old

Born In:

California, USA

Quotes

Every day brings a new quote – here are the most well-known quotes spoken or written on July 31st in history.

1844

The boundaries which divide life from death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe

American Writer

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Then why not find time today to celebrate the following special holidays.

July 31: Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day
United States

Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day

There are five main kinds of instrument families: strings, woodwind, brass, keyboards & percussion. But within those are countless instruments. So celebrate Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day by researching many of the wonderful instruments you never knew existed!

July 31: National Avocado Day
United States

National Avocado Day

We sure hope you’ve stocked up on your favorite brand of tortilla chips ahead of time because we’re celebrating National Avocado Day today! Don’t fret if making guacamole isn’t your thing as there are so many ways to eat avocados – try it on toast, a bagel, or even eat it with a spoon!

THe Fact Site’s

Fun Fact Of The Day

During the entire run of Gilligan’s Island, it was never revealed if “Gilligan” was his first or last name.

Birthday & Zodiac

For those of you who were born on July 31st, your zodiac sign is Leo.

Leo is the fifth zodiac sign ruled by the sun. The constellation for Leo represents the Nemean lion. In Greek mythology, the Nemean lion devastated the area of Nemea until Heracles eventually defeated the creature.

Ruby is the birthstone given to those who were born during July. The ruby is known as the king of gems and brings the bearer great fortunes, love, health, and wisdom. Along with sapphire, rubies are the second hardest natural gemstones.

If you were born on July 31st, you were likely conceived on the week of November 7th in the previous year.

A baby conceived on July 31, 2024, will likely be born around April 23, 2025.

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Fact Check

We have a thorough fact-checking process and a dedicated team verifying our content for accuracy. But occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. If you believe something to be incorrect, please leave us a message below.

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