July 31st
1498
Columbus arrived at the island of Trinidad.
1790
The first U.S. patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins of Vermont for a process of making fertilizer.
1875
Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, died in Carter Station, Tenn., at age 66.
1930
The radio mystery program The Shadow is aired for the first time.
1954
Mount Godwin-Austen (K2), the world's second-highest peak, was climbed for the first time, by an Italian team led by Ardito Desio.
1964
The U.S. space probe Ranger 7 transmitted pictures of the Moon’s surface.
1976
Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper" was released.
1981
A seven-week strike by major league baseball players ended.
2006
Fidel Castro hands over power temporarily to brother Raúl Castro.
Birthdays
80 Don Murray Actor
74 Geoffrey Lewis Actor
70 France Nuyen Actress
66 Susan Flannery Actress
66 Lobo Singer
65 Geraldine Chaplin Actress
63 Bob Welch Rock singer
62 Richard Griffiths Actor
58 Evonne Goolagong Cawley Tennis Hall of Famer
58 Barry Van Dyke Actor
57 Alan Autry Actor
56 James Read Actor
53 Michael Biehn Actor
51 Bill Berry Rock musician (R.E.M.)
51 Mark Cuban Owner of the Dallas Mavericks
47 Wesley Snipes Actor
46 Fatboy Slim Rock musician
45 Jim Corr Rock musician (The Corrs)
44 J.K. Rowling Author ("Harry Potter" books)
43 Dean Cain Actor
40 Ben Chaplin Actor
40 Loren Dean Actor
34 Annie Parisse Actress ("Law and Order")
32 Robert Telfer Actor
30 B.J. Novak Actor, writer ("The Office")
~ groogs Cigar Asylum Inmate