July 31

Scott Winters July 31, 2025 0 Comments

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1790 – The first U.S. patent was issued to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.

1792 – The cornerstone of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, PA, was laid. It was the first building to be used only as a government building.

1923 – The State of Michigan began a ferry service from Mackinac City to St. Ignace to connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The service continued until the Mackinac Bridge opened in 1957.

1928 – MGM’s “Leo the Lion” roared for the first time to introduced MGM’s first talking picture, “White Shadows on the South Seas.”

1931 – Experimental television station W2XAB (now WCBS) began broadcasting in New York, NY.

1948 – President Harry Truman helped dedicate New York International Airport at Idlewild Field. It was later renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in December of 1963.

1955 – Marilyn Bell of Toronto, Canada, became the youngest person to swim the English Channel at the age of 17.

1964 – The American space probe Ranger 7 transmitted pictures of the moon’s surface. The images were 1,000 times clearer than anything ever seen from earth-bound telescopes.

1971 – Apollo 15 astronauts become the first to ride in a vehicle on the moon in a lunar rover vehicle.

1981 – The seven-week baseball players’ strike came to an end when the players and owners agreed on the issue of free agent compensation.

1984 – Leeza Gibbons made her first appearance on TV’s “Entertainment Tonight”.

1988 – The last American Playboy Club closed in Lansing, MI.

1989 – The Game Boy handheld video game was released in the U.S.

1991 – President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

1995 – The Walt Disney Company purchased Capital Cities/ABC for $19 billion.

1998 – Nicolas Cage received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999 – The spacecraft Lunar Prospect crashed into the moon. It was on a mission to detect frozen water on the moon’s surface. The craft had launched on January 6, 1998.

2006 – Cuba’s Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother, Raul.

2007 – The iTunes Music Store reached 3 billion songs sold and 2 million feature length films sold.

2007 – The Boston Celtics obtained former MVP and 10-time All-Star Kevin Garnett in a 7-for-1 deal with Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the NBA’s biggest ever trade for one player.

2012 – Michael Phelps broke the record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics.

2016 – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a play by Jack Thorne with contributions by J.K. Rowling, was published worldwide at midnight.

BIRTHDAYS:

Susan Flannery – 86 years old (1939) – Actress (Played Stephanie Forrester on TV’s “The Bold and the Beautiful”, played Dr. Laura Spencer Horton on TV’s “Days of Our Lives”)

Lobo – 82 years old (1943) – Singer, songwriter

Geraldine Chaplin – 81 years old (1944) – Actress (“Dr. Zhivago”, “Nashville”, “Welcome to LA”, “Chaplin”)

Gary Lewis – 80 years old (1945) – Musician (Gary Lewis and the Playboys)

Karl Green – 78 years old (1947) – Bass guitarist, backup signer (Herman’s Hermits)

Evonne Goolagong Cawley – 74 years old (1951) – Tennis player

Barry Van Dyke – 74 years old (1951) – Actor (Played Lieutenant Detective Steve Sloan on TV’s “Diagnosis: Murder”)

Alan Autry – 73 years old (1952) – Actor (TV’s “In the Heat of the Night”)

Michael Biehn – 69 years old (1956) – Actor (“The Rock”, “Tombstone”, “The Abyss”, “Aliens”, “Terminator”, TV’s “Hill Street Blues”)

Bill Berry – 67 years old (1958) – Drummer (R.E.M.)

Wesley Snipes – 63 years old (1962) – Actor (“Blade” series, “Unstoppable”, “7 Seconds”, “White Men Can’t Jump”, “Demolition Man”, “The Fan”)

Fatboy Slim – 62 years old (1963) – Musician

J.K. Rowling – 60 years old (1965) – Author and one of the richest women in England (“Harry Potter” series)

Dean Cain – 59 years old (1966) – Actor (“Out of Time”, TV’s “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”, TV host “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”). Born in Mount Clemens, MI.

Ben Chaplin – 56 years old (1969) – Actor (“The Truth About Cats and Dogs”, “Birthday Girl”, “Murder by Numbers”)

Loren Dean – 56 years old (1969) – Actor (“Enemy of the State”)

Annie Parisse – 50 years old (1975) – Actress (TV’s “Law and Order”)

Will Champion – 47 years old (1978) – Drummer, backup vocalist (Coldplay)

B.J. Novak – 46 years old (1979) – Actor (TV’s “The Office”, “The Newsroom”)

TODAY IS:

National Avocado Day: A healthy and versatile ingredient, this tasty fruit is loaded with nutrients and can be used in a variety of delicious dishes.
National Chili Dog Day: Gather your friends around a big buffet of chili dog ingredients, and try making your very own chili to make sure you get the perfect dog for your tastebuds.
National Mutt Day: Forget about purebred dogs. On this day, National Mutt Day, mixed breeds and mutts are what it’s all about! History of National Mutt Day Although the word “mutt” can sometimes have a negative connotation in the English language, it simply means that the dog’s parents were not registered and were...
World Ranger Day: Help raise money and awareness for the dangerous but crucial job that park rangers engage in to keep us and our beautiful natural surroundings safe.
National Intern Day: Give some recognition and thanks to the hard-working, often unpaid or severely underpaid interns who sacrifice their free time for learning experiences.
National Raspberry Cake Day: Raspberry cheesecake, raspberry chocolate cake, raspberry vanilla cake…this wonderful berry goes with all kinds of cakes, so try baking one yourself.
Black Tot Day: In the annals of naval history, few traditions are as storied or as universally recognized as the daily rum ration of the British Royal Navy. This time-honored practice, which spanned over two centuries, came to an end on a day now known as Black Tot Day. This day is not...
National Jump for Jelly Beans Day: Dive into a burst of sweet variety, savoring chewy, vibrant confections that awaken taste buds with every bite.
Lifeguard Appreciation Day: Lifeguard Appreciation Day celebrates the people who protect swimmers at beaches, pools, lakes, and water parks. These trained professionals spend long hours in the sun, always alert and ready. They prevent accidents, pull struggling swimmers to safety, and give first aid when needed. Their sharp focus and quick actions can...
Shredded Wheat Day: Shredded Wheat Day celebrates those crunchy, pillow-shaped biscuits made from whole wheat. It honors a breakfast staple that fills bowls and fuels busy mornings. This day brings a burst of energy, encouraging everyone to enjoy simple, natural ingredients. It invites you to savor bite after bite, feeling the satisfying crunch and...
International Digital Adoption (DAP) Professionals Day: International Digital Adoption (DAP) Professionals Day celebrates experts who guide people through new digital tools. It spotlights the efforts of those who build and support seamless tech experiences. These professionals help teams embrace software, turning complex systems into simple tools. They ease transitions and boost productivity by keeping users confident...
Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day: Take some time to research the many varied and unique instruments in the world, and consider picking up an uncommon instrument yourself to expand your horizons.
Love Parks Week : Enjoy fresh air, beautiful scenery, and leisure activities that rejuvenate the mind and body in nature's embrace.