31 July

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 31^st, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

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

Table of Contents

1. Global Celebrations
2. Historic Events
3. Famous Birthdays
4. Heartbreaking Deaths

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