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31 July 2024
Holidays, observances, history and sky information for this date.
Holidays
No listed India public holiday for this date.
Observances
No UN observance in the current list for this date.
Selected anniversaries
Anniversary
2020 - A mid-air collision in Soldotna, Alaska, United States, killed seven people, including state representative Gary Knopp.Aviation accident in the United States
Anniversary
2012 - The largest power outage in history occurred across 22 Indian states, affecting more than 620 million people, or about 9 percent of the world's population.Widespread power outages in India
Anniversary
2007 - The Troubles: Operation Banner, the British Armed Forces' operation in Northern Ireland, ended after 38 years with a military stalemate and ceasefire.1960s–1998 conflict in Northern Ireland
Anniversary
2006 - Following intestinal surgery, Fidel Castro provisionally transferred the duties of the Cuban presidency to his brother Raúl.Leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2016
Anniversary
2002 - Hamas attackers detonated a bomb at the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, killing nine students and injuring about 100 more.Islamist Palestinian political and paramilitary organization
Historical events
History
2020 - A De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser collide over Soldotna, Alaska, killing all seven people on board both aircraft, including state representative Gary Knopp.Single engine STOL aircraft
History
2014 - Gas explosions in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung kill at least 20 people and injure more than 270.Industrial disaster in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
History
2012 - Michael Phelps breaks the record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics.American swimmer (born 1985)
History
2008 - East Coast Jets Flight 81 crashes near Owatonna Degner Regional Airport in Owatonna, Minnesota, killing all eight people on board.2008 aviation accident in Minnesota
History
2007 - Operation Banner, the presence of the British Army in Northern Ireland, and the longest-running British Army operation ever, comes to an end.1969–2007 British military operation in Northern Ireland during the Troubles
History
2006 - Fidel Castro hands over power to his brother, Raúl.Leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2016
History
1999 - Discovery Program: Lunar Prospector: NASA intentionally crashes the spacecraft into the Moon, thus ending its mission to detect frozen water on the Moon's surface.Solar system exploration program by NASA
History
1997 - FedEx Express Flight 14 crashes at Newark International Airport, injuring five.1997 aircraft accident in New Jersey
History
1992 - The nation of Georgia joins the United Nations.Country in Eastern Europe and West Asia
History
1992 - Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashes into a mountain north of Kathmandu, Nepal, killing all 113 people on board.1992 aviation accident in Nepal
Notable births
Born
2002 - Will Penisini, Australian-Tongan rugby league playerTonga rugby league footballer (born 2002)
Born
2000 - Kim Sae-ron, South Korean actress (died 2025)South Korean actress (2000–2025)
Born
1997 - Bobbi Althoff, American podcaster and influencerAmerican podcaster and TikToker (born 1997)
Born
1997 - Thomas Bryant, American basketball playerAmerican basketball player (born 1997)
Born
1995 - Lil Uzi Vert, American hip hop artistAmerican rapper and singer (born 1994 or 1995)
Notable deaths
Died
2026 - Glenn A. Baker, Australian journalist and author (born 1952)Australian journalist (1952–2026)
Died
2026 - Franco Baresi, Italian footballer (born 1960)Italian footballer (1960–2026)
Died
2026 - Jakob Butturff, American bowler (born 1994)American ten-pin bowler (1994–2026)
Died
2024 - Paul Bucha, United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (born 1943)United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
Died
2024 - Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian politician, political leader of Hamas (born 1962/1963)Palestinian politician (c.1962–2024)
Died
2022 - Fidel V. Ramos, 12th President of the Philippines (born 1928)President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998
Died
2022 - Bill Russell, NBA Hall of Fame player and coach (born 1934)American basketball player and coach (1934–2022)
Sky
Moon phase
Waning Crescent
21.7% illuminated
Lunar age: 25.0 days
Sun zodiac
Leo
8.77 degrees
Constellation: Cancer
Moon zodiac
Gemini
21.57 degrees
Constellation: Taurus
Astronomy events
No major astronomy event in the current calendar for this date.