Judi’s Reviews > On This Day: The History of the World in 366 Days > Status Update

JULY 31

Jim Reeves killed in plane crash

1964 Country singer Jim Reeves died today when his plane crashed into a hillside a few miles from Nashville, Tennessee. He was 40. "Gentleman Jim" Reeves shot to fame in the late 50s with his hit single "He'll Have to Go" He followed this up with "Welcome to My World", "I Love You Because" and "I Won't Forget You", all top ten records. Reeves set out to be a baseball star...

JULY 30

1930 In the first ever World Cup final, Uruguay beats Argentina 4-2.

Spanish invasion receives calm British reception

1588 the armada of 130 ships set by King Philip II of Spain to attempt an invasion of England was sighted today off Cornwall. The English fleet under Charles Howard, Baron Howard of Effingham, is confident of success, however. Howard has 197 ships with about 16,000 men, most of them seasoned sailers, at his disposal. His commanders seem equally nonchalant.

JULY 28

1794 In Paris, Maximillien Robespierre goes to the guillotine himself, having presided over the Reign of Terror in which at least 25,000 were beheaded.

JULY 27

Shah of Iran dies in Cairo

1980 The deposed Shah of Iran died in Cairo's Maadi Military Hospital today at the age of 60. The cause of death was internal bleeding and heart failure as a result of infection and lymphatic cancer. On his deathbed the Shah had requested to be buried ultimately in Tehran, named his eldest son, Prince Reza, as rightful heir to the Peacock Throne and prayed for the overthrow of ...

JULY 26

1863 Death of Sam Houston, American soldier, president and Texan leader after whom the city of Houston is named.

JULY 25

Coal is transported by locomotion

1814 Killingworth is the latest colliery to experiment with locomotives for transporting coal out of mines. Their chief mechanic, George Stevenson, has built an engine that can draw eight loaded carriages bearing 30 tons of coal at four miles per hour (6.4 kph). Stephenson got the idea for Blucher after seeing the "steam boiler on wheels" built by Matthew Murray for ...

JULY 24

1824 The world's first public opinion poll is carried out in Delaware.

JULY 23

I brought it all to life. I moved the whole world into a 20-ft [6.5-m] screen. I was a greater discoverer than Columbus. I condensed history into three hours and made them live it.

D. W. Griffith, pioneer US film-maker who introduced the techniques of flash-back, crosscut, close-up and long shot, and who died today, 1948.

JULY 22

1832 Death of American impresario Florenz Ziegfeld, founder of the Ziegfeld Follies.