What Happened on July 31?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JULY 31
Explore the most important historical events that happened on July 31, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Christchurch
Year:
1856
Christchurch, New Zealand, is chartered as a city.
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Narrow-gauge railway
Year:
1865
The first narrow-gauge mainline railway in the world opens at Grandchester, Queensland, Australia.
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Patent
Year:
1790
The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.
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Second Continental Congress
Year:
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."
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Odawa
Year:
1763
Odawa Chief Pontiac's forces defeat British troops at the Battle of Bloody Run during Pontiac's War.
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Patrick Francis Healy
Year:
1874
Patrick Francis Healy became the first African-American inaugurated as president of a predominantly white university, Georgetown University.
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Russo-Japanese War
Year:
1904
Russo-Japanese War: Battle of Hsimucheng: Units of the Imperial Japanese Army defeat units of the Imperial Russian Army in a strategic confrontation.
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Bulgaria
Year:
1938
Bulgaria signs a non-aggression pact with Greece and other states of Balkan Antanti (Turkey, Romania, Yugoslavia).
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BIRTHS ON JULY 31
Discover famous people and historical figures born on July 31, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
John Swainson
Year of birth:
1925
John Swainson, Canadian-American jurist and politician, 42nd Governor of Michigan (died 1994)
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Carmel Quinn
Year of birth:
1925
Carmel Quinn, Irish singer, actress and writer (died 2021)
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Ahmet Ertegun
Year of birth:
1923
Ahmet Ertegun, Turkish-American songwriter and producer, founded Atlantic Records (died 2006)
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Stephanie Kwolek
Year of birth:
1923
Stephanie Kwolek, American chemist and engineer, invented Kevlar (died 2014)
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Hank Bauer
Year of birth:
1922
Hank Bauer, American baseball player and manager (died 2007)
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Hilary Putnam
Year of birth:
1926
Hilary Putnam, American mathematician, computer scientist, and philosopher (died 2016)
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Bernard Nathanson
Year of birth:
1926
Bernard Nathanson, American physician and activist (died 2011)
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Don Murray (actor)
Year of birth:
1929
Don Murray, American actor (died 2024)
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DEATHS ON JULY 31
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on July 31, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Hedley Verity
Year of death:
1943
Hedley Verity, English cricketer and soldier (born 1905)
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Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Year of death:
1944
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French pilot and poet (born 1900)
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Cho Ki-chon
Year of death:
1951
Cho Ki-chon, North Korean poet (born 1913)
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Robert A. Taft
Year of death:
1953
Robert A. Taft, American soldier and politician (born 1889)
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Francis Younghusband
Year of death:
1942
Francis Younghusband, British Army Officer, explorer and spiritual writer (born 1863)
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Udham Singh
Year of death:
1940
Udham Singh, Indian activist (born 1899)
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Hedd Wyn
Year of death:
1917
Hedd Wyn, Welsh language poet (born 1887)
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Francis Ledwidge
Year of death:
1917
Francis Ledwidge, Irish soldier and poet (born 1881)
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HOLIDAYS ON JULY 31
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on July 31 around the world.
Sovereignty Restoration Day
Lā Hae Hawaiʻi Day (Hawaii, United States), and its related observance: Sovereignty Restoration Day (Hawaiian sovereignty movement)
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Udham Singh
Martyrdom Day of Shahid Udham Singh (Haryana and Punjab, India)
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Abanoub
Christian feast day: Abanoub
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July 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: July 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Germanus of Auxerre
Christian feast day: Germanus of Auxerre
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Saint Neot (monk)
Christian feast day: Neot
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Ignatius of Loyola
Christian feast day: Ignatius of Loyola
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Heroes' Day
Warriors' Day (Malaysia)
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