Historical Events
- Jul 1 55th Postmaster General: Robert E Hannegan of Mo takes office
- Jul 1 Allies troop land on Balikpapan
Greenberg's Return Game
Jul 1 First MLB superstar to return from WW II, Hank Greenberg homers in his 1st game (Detroit beats Philadelphia A's 9-5)
Event of Interest
Jul 3 James F. Byrnes becomes 49th US Secretary of State, succeeding Edward Stettinius
- Jul 4 Field Marshal Henry Maitland Wilson gives Britain's agreement to use the atomic bomb against Japan at the Combined Policy Committee in Washington D. C.
Election of Interest
Jul 5 Labour Party under Clement Attlee wins British parliamentary elections (results not declared until 26 July)
- Jul 5 World War II: Liberation of the Philippines declared
United Nations Charter
Jul 6 Nicaragua becomes 1st nation to ratify the Charter of the United Nations
- Jul 6 US President Harry Truman signs executive order establishing Medal of Freedom
Sports History
Jul 6 Washington Senator Rick Ferrell catches a record 1,722 games
PGA Championship
Jul 15 PGA Championship Men's Golf, Morraine CC: Byron Nelson wins 5th and final major title and 2nd PGA title; beats ex-MLB player Sam Byrd 4 & 3
Manhattan Project
Jul 16 1st test detonation of an atomic bomb, Trinity Site, Alamogordo, New Mexico as part of the US Manhattan Project
- Jul 16 Australian Services win 3rd Victory Test Cricket by 4 wickets
- Jul 16 Cruiser Indianapolis leaves San Francisco with atom bomb
Event of Interest
Jul 16 J. Robert Oppenheimer is present at the first test of the atomic bomb, Trinity, near Alamogordo, New Mexico
Potsdam Conference
Jul 17 Potsdam Conference: Harry Truman, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill hold 1st post-World War II meeting
Trial of Interest
Jul 23 Marshal Philippe Pétain, leader of the French Vichy collaborationist regime during World War II goes on trial
- Jul 24 WWII: Suicide attack by Japanese Kaiten manned torpedo sinks US Navy destroyer USS Underhill west of Guam; nearly half of the 234 crew was killed
- Jul 26 After Labour landslide in general election, Clement Attlee becomes British Prime Minister
Potsdam Declaration
Jul 26 Declaration of Potsdam: US, Britain and China demand the unconditional surrender of Japan during WWII
- Jul 26 Japanese government disregards US ultimatum
Nuclear Bombing of Nagasaki
Jul 26 Physicist Raemer Schreiber and Lieutenant Colonel Peer de Silva depart Kirtland Army Air Field to transport the plutonium core for the Fat Man bomb (bombing of Nagasaki) to the island of Tinian where the bomb is assembled
- Jul 26 US cruiser Indianapolis reaches Tinian with atom bomb
Election of Interest
Jul 26 Winston Churchill resigns as Britain's Prime Minister after election defeat
- Jul 27 Cubs purchase pitcher Hank Borowy from NY Yankees
- Jul 27 US Communist Party forms
- Jul 28 "Elevator girl" Betty Lou Oliver survives falling 75 stories after fog causes a US bomber plane to crash into the Empire State Building, breaking the cables supporting the elevator she was operating. This remains a world record for the longest survived elevator fall
- Jul 28 Japanese premier Suzuki disregards US ultimatum to surrender
Japanese History
Jul 28 Physicist Raemer Schreiber and Lieutenant Colonel Peer de Silva arrive on the Pacific island of Tinian with the plutonium core used to assemble the Fat Man bomb used in the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9
- Jul 28 US Army B-25 crashes into 79th floor of Empire State Bldg, 14 die
- Jul 28 US Senate ratifies United Nations charter 89-2
Sinking of the USS Indianapolis
Jul 30 After delivering the Atomic Bomb across the Pacific, the cruiser USS Indianapolis is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-58. 880 of the crew died, many after being attacked by sharks, the inspiration for the movie Jaws.
Surrender of Pierre Laval
Jul 31 Pierre Laval, fugitive former leader of Vichy France, surrenders to Allied soldiers in Austria
Famous Birthdays
Debbie Harry (78 years old)
Jul 1 American singer (Blondie - "Heart of Glass"; " The Tide Is High"; "Call Me"), and actress (Hairspray), born in Miami, Florida
- Jul 1 Mike Burstyn, Israeli-American actor (De Mike Bustyn Show), born in New York City
- Jul 2 James Fulkerson, American composer of theatrical and electro-acoustic music, and trombonist, born in Streator, Illinois
- Jul 3 Iain MacDonald-Smith, English yachtsman (Olympic gold Flying Dutchman 1968), born in Oxford, England
- Jul 3 Michael Cole, American actor (Pete-Mod Squad), born in Madison, Wisconsin
- Jul 3 Michael Martin, British politician and Speaker of the House of Commons (2000-09), born in Glasgow (d. 2018)
- Jul 4 Steinar Amundsen, Norwegian sprint canoeist (Olympic gold K-4 1000m 1968; World C'ship gold 1970, 75), born in Bærum, Norway (d. 2022)
- Jul 5 Dick Scoppettone, American rocker (Harpers Bizarre), born in Santa Cruz, California
- Jul 5 Ebbe Skovdahl, Danish soccer manager (Brøndby IF, Benfica, Aberdeen), born in Copenhagen, Denmark (d. 2020)
- Jul 5 Humberto Benítez Treviño, Mexican politician and Attorney General of the Republic of Mexico, born in Zacualpan, Mexico
- Jul 5 Jeffrey Kramer, American actor (Ted Stein-Struck by Lightning), born in New York City
- Jul 5 Jim Fuller, American college football coach and athletics administrator (coach 1977-83; AD 2003-08 Jacksonville State University), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
- Jul 6 Burt Ward, American actor (Robin-Batman), born in Los Angeles, California
- Jul 6 Rik Elswit, American rocker (Dr Hook & Medicine Show-In the Right Place), born in California
- Jul 6 Rodney Matthews, English fantasy artist and illustrator, born in Paulton, England
- Jul 7 Matti Salminen, Finnish bass player (King Philipp - "Don Carlos"), born in Turku, Finland
- Jul 7 Michael Ancram, British politician and aristocrat (Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party), born in London, England
- Jul 8 Micheline Calmy-Rey, Swiss politician (President of Switzerland 2007 and 2011; Head of Department of Foreign Affairs, 2003-11), born in Sion, Switzerland
- Jul 8 Ricky Wolff, South African keyboardist, sax player and singer (The Flower Pot Men; White Plains - "My Baby Loves Lovin'"), born in Pretoria, South Africa
- Jul 9 Dean Koontz, American sci-fi author (Star Quest, Beastchild), born in Everett, Pennsylvania
- Jul 9 Lewis F. Payne Jr., American politician (Rep-D-Virginia), born in Amherst, Virginia
- Jul 9 Root Boy Slim [Foster MacKenzie III], American entertainer, born in Asheville, North Carolina (d. 1993)
- Jul 10 Jean-Marie Poiré, French film director, born in Paris
- Jul 10 John Motson, British football broadcaster (10 x FIFA World Cups; 10 x UEFA European C'ships; 29 x FA Cup finals; BBC, Talksport), born in Salford, England (d. 2023)
- Jul 10 Peter Michalica, Slovak violinist, born in Kremnica, Slovakia
- Jul 10 Ron Glass, American actor (Barney Miller, Frank's Place), born in Evansville, Indiana (d. 2016)
- Jul 10 Toni Fritsch, Austrian soccer forward (9 caps; Rapid Vienna) and American football kicker (Super Bowl 1971 Dallas Cowboys; Pro Bowl 1979), born in Petronell-Carnuntum, Austria (d. 2005)
Virginia Wade (78 years old)
Jul 10 English tennis player (US Open 1968, Australian Open 1972, Wimbledon 1977), born in Bournemouth, England
- Jul 11 Patrick Joseph McGrath, Catholic bishop
- Jul 11 Robin Muyser, Dutch bassist (Les Baroques - "Such A Cad"), born in Baarn, Netherlands
- Jul 12 Chuck Daellenbach, American-Canadian tubist (Canadian Brass, 1970-present), born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin
- Jul 12 Dimitar Penev, Bulgarian soccer defender (90 caps; CSKA Sofia 329 games) and manager (Bulgaria 55 games, CSKA Sofia), born in Mirovyane, Bulgaria
- Jul 12 Leopoldo Mastelloni, Italian actor (Inferno), born in Naples, Kingdom of Italy
- Jul 13 Ashley Mallett, Australian cricket spin bowler (38 Tests, 132 wickets, best 8/59; South Australia), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2021)
- Jul 13 Jean-Pierre Plooij, Dutch writer and playwright (Duvelsmoer verhalen; Patience; Bird House), born in the Netherlands (d. 1994)
- Jul 14 Jim Gordon, American drummer, studio musician (Derek and the Dominos), and murderer, born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2023) [1] [2]
- Jul 14 Maxine Waters (Williard), American jazz (The Waters), and session vocalist (Thriller; The Bodyguard), born in Beaumont, Texas
- Jul 14 Peter Klatzow, South African pianist, composer (Inyanga; Still-life with Moonbeams), and educator, born in Springs, Transvaal, Union of South Africa (d. 2021)
- Jul 15 Jürgen Möllemann, German politician (d. 2003)
- Jul 15 Peter Lewis, American rock guitarist and vocalist (Moby Grape), born in Los Angeles, California
- Jul 16 Barry Dudleston, English cricket batsman (Leicestershire CCC, Gloucestershire CCC, Rhodesia) and umpire (2 Tests, 4 ODIs), born in Bebington, England
- Jul 16 Diana Warwick, Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe, Labour member of the House of Lords
- Jul 16 Jos Stelling, Dutch film director (Pointsman), born in Utrecht, Netherlands
- Jul 17 Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia, born in Claridge's, London
- Jul 17 Eric McCredie, Scottish pop bassist (Middle Of The Road - "Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep Cheep"), born in Patrick, Glasgow, Scotland (d. 2007)
- Jul 17 Fenneken Fockema Andreae, Dutch actress (Sea Gull)
- Jul 18 Danny McCulloch, English rocker (Animals), born in London, England
- Jul 18 James William Guercio, American music producer (Chicago; Moondog), born in Chicago, Illinois
- Jul 19 Edwin Schlossberg, American designer, author and husband of Carolyn Kennedy, born in New York City
- Jul 19 George Dzundza, American actor (The Deer Hunter, Law & Order), born in Rosenheim, Germany
- Jul 20 Betty Burfeindt, American golfer (Women's PGA C'ship 1976), born in New York City
- Jul 20 Jake Scott, American College Football Hall of Fame safety (Uni of Georgia; 5×Pro Bowl; 2×First-team All-Pro; Super Bowl 1972 [MVP], 73; Miami Dolphins), born in Greenwood, South Carolina (d. 2020)
- Jul 20 John Lodge, British bassist, vocalist, and songwriter (The Moody Blues - "I'm Just A Singer"; "Gemini Dream"), born in Birmingham, England
- Jul 20 Johnny Loughrey, Irish singer, born in Newtownstewart, Northern Ireland (d. 2005)
- Jul 20 Kim Carnes, American rock vocalist ("Bette Davis Eyes"), born in Pasadena, California
- Jul 20 Larry Craig, American politician (Senator-R-Idaho 1991-2009, Rep-R-Idaho, 1981-91), born in Council, Idaho
- Jul 21 Alton Maddox, NY African American activist/attorney (Tawana Brawley case)
- Jul 21 Barry Richards, South African cricket batsman (4 Tests, 2 x 100, 2 x 50, HS 140; Natal, Gloucestershire CCC, Hampshire CCC, South Australia), born in Durban, South Africa
- Jul 21 Geoff Dymock, Australian cricket left-arm fast bowler (21 Tests, 78 wickets; 15 ODIs), born in Maryborough, Queensland
- Jul 21 John Lowe, English darts player (BDO world champion 1979, 87, 93), born in New Tupton, Derbyshire
- Jul 21 Leigh Lawson, English actress (Fire & Sword, Charlie Boy), born in Atherston, England
- Jul 21 Lydia Shum, Hong Kong comedian and actress (d. 2008)
- Jul 21 Rosalie “Rosie” Hamlin, American singer-songwriter (Rosie and The Originals – “Angel Baby”), born in Klamath Falls, Oregon (d. 2017)
- Jul 23 Edward Gregson, British composer of orchetsral, choral, brass, and wind ensemble music, born in Sunderland, England
- Jul 23 Harold Hennep, Arubian-Dutch actor (Plus Echo), born in Aruba
- Jul 24 Azim Premji, Indian soap and technology business magnate (Wipro), and philanthropist, born in Bombay, British India (now Mumbai, India)
- Jul 25 Jim Price, America session and touring horn player, and arranger (Rolling Stones; Bonnie and Delaney; Joe Cocker), born in Fort Worth, Texas
Helen Mirren (78 years old)
Jul 26 English actress (The Queen, The Madness of King George), born in London, England
- Jul 26 Linda Harrison, American actress (Bracken's World, Planet of Apes), born in Berlin, Maryland
Jim Davis (78 years old)
Jul 28 American cartoonist and creator of the comic strips "Garfield" and "U.S. Acres", born in Marion, Indiana
- Jul 29 Joe Beck, American session and jazz guitarist (Don Sebesky; Gil Evans; Gato Barbieri; Esther Phillips), and bandleader, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2008)
- Jul 29 Michelle Angelo, American actress (Funny Girl), born in Kingsville, Texas
- Jul 29 Mike Garson, American session and touring rock and jazz pianist (David Bowie, 1972-2006; Mick Ronson; Smashing Pumpkins), born in New York City
- Jul 30 David Sanborn, American jazz saxophonist (David Letterman Show), born in Tampa, Florida
- Jul 30 Patrick Modiano, French novelist (Nobel 2014), born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France
- Jul 31 Bill Weld, American politician (Governor (R) Massachusetts 1991-97), born in Smithtown, New York
- Jul 31 Charlotte Diamond, Canadian Juno Award-winning children's singer-songwriter ("I Am A Pizza"), born in Richmond, British Columbia
Famous Weddings
Groucho Marx
Jul 21 Master of quick wit and widely considered one of the best comedians of the modern era Groucho Marx (54) weds Kay Marvis
Famous Deaths
John Curtin (1885-1945)
Jul 5 Victoria, 14th Prime Minister of Australia (Labor: 1941-45), dies of heart disease at 60
- Jul 7 Salomėja Nėris [Salomėja Bačinskaitė-Bučienė], Lithuanian poet, dies of cancer at 40
- Jul 12 Boris Galerkin, Russian mathematician (b. 1871)
- Jul 12 Wolfram von Richthofen, German-Nazi military officer (fighter pilot - WWI; Chief of Staff -Spanish civil war; Luftwaffe field marshal - WWII), dies as a prisoner of war in an army hospital of a brain tumor at 49
- Jul 17 Ernst Busch, German field marshal (WWII), dies at 60
- Jul 19 George Barbier, American actor (Tarzan's Revenge, Wife vs Secretary), dies at 80
- Jul 20 Arthur Seccull, South African cricketer (Test v England 1896), dies
- Jul 20 Paul Valéry [Ambroise Paul Toussaint Jules Valéry], French author, philosopher and poet (La Jeune Parque), dies at 73
