July 31 is the 212th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 153 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about July 31st, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about July 31st in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World Ranger Day
- Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day
- National Raspberry Cake Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – July 31
1998: The British government bans landmines
The move came after the public pressurized the parliament to pass the Landmines Act.
1992: Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashes while approaching Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.
All 113 people onboard were killed in the crash.
1991: US and USSR sign Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
The treaty, also known as START I, limited the number of nuclear weapons and missiles the signatories could deploy. It came into force in December 1994, and expired 15 years later in 2009.
1981: First female president of the US National Bar Association is appointed
Arnette R. Hubbard became the first woman to preside over the US National Bar Association, the country’s largest group of association of African-American lawyers and judges.
1917: Third Battle of Ypres begins
Also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, the battle was part of World War I and took place between July 31 and November 6 for control of the Belgian city of Ypres.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, July 31
1965: J. K. Rowling, English author
1962: Wesley Snipes, American martial artist, actor, producer
1919: Primo Levi, Italian chemist, author
1912: Milton Friedman, American economist, Nobel Prize laureate
1884: Carl Friedrich Goerdeler, German politician
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, July 31
2012: Gore Vidal, American author, screenwriter, actor
1980: Mohammed Rafi, Indian actor, singer
1964: Jim Reeves, American singer-songwriter
1944: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French writer
1875: Andrew Johnson, American politician, 17th President of the United States
