July 14th holds a unique place in history, marked by a series of impactful events that have shaped societies, influenced global policies, and altered the course of human lives.
From monumental political shifts and groundbreaking treaties to tragic incidents and cultural milestones, this date reflects the diverse tapestry of human experience.
This article delves into significant historical events that occurred on July 14th, presenting each with detailed background and context to illuminate their lasting effects on the world.
July 14th – On this Day in History
1223 – Louis VIII becomes King of France
On July 14, 1223, Louis VIII ascended the throne of France following the death of his father, Philip II Augustus. Louis VIII, also known as Louis the Lion, was notable for his military prowess and participation in the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in southern France.
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His reign, though brief, lasting only three years until his death in 1226, was marked by significant territorial consolidation and the strengthening of royal power within France.
1789 – Storming of the Bastille, beginning of the French Revolution
The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, is widely regarded as the symbolic start of the French Revolution. The Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, represented royal authority and the arbitrary power of the French monarchy.
Its capture by the revolutionaries not only provided them with much-needed arms and ammunition but also served as a powerful symbol of the people’s revolt against tyranny. The event is celebrated annually in France as Bastille Day, a national holiday commemorating the birth of the French Republic.
1790 – Fête de la Fédération in France
Exactly one year after the storming of the Bastille, on July 14, 1790, the Fête de la Fédération was celebrated. This festival was held throughout France to honor the French Revolution and promote unity among the French people.
The main event in Paris featured a grand ceremony on the Champ de Mars, where King Louis XVI swore allegiance to the new constitutional order, symbolizing a brief reconciliation between the monarchy and the revolutionary government.
1791 – Start of the Priestley Riots in Birmingham, England
On July 14, 1791, the Priestley Riots began in Birmingham, England. Named after Joseph Priestley, a prominent scientist and supporter of the French Revolution, the riots were fueled by opposition to his radical political and religious views.
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Mobs, incited by anti-reform and anti-Dissenters sentiments, attacked and burned several Dissenting chapels and homes, including Priestley’s own house and laboratory, forcing him to flee the city.
1798 – Signing of the Sedition Act in the United States
On July 14, 1798, the United States Congress passed the Sedition Act, part of the larger Alien and Sedition Acts. This legislation made it illegal to publish “false, scandalous, and malicious writing” against the government or its officials.
Seen as an infringement on First Amendment rights, the act was highly controversial and targeted the Jeffersonian Republicans, who were critical of the Federalist government led by President John Adams.
The act contributed to significant political mobilization against the Federalists and was later allowed to expire in 1801.
1853 – Commodore Matthew Perry’s first official visit to Japan
On July 14, 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry led a squadron of U.S. naval vessels into what is now Tokyo Bay, Japan. This visit marked the first official contact between the United States and Japan, breaking centuries of Japanese isolationist policy.
Perry’s mission, backed by the threat of naval force, was to open Japan to trade with the West. He delivered a letter from President Millard Fillmore, requesting trade relations, protection for shipwrecked sailors, and the opening of Japanese ports to U.S. ships.
Perry’s visit eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, which opened several Japanese ports to American trade and marked the beginning of Japan’s transformation into a modern state.
1865 – First ascent of the Matterhorn
The first successful ascent of the Matterhorn, one of the highest and most iconic peaks in the Alps, took place on July 14, 1865. Led by British climber Edward Whymper, the expedition marked a significant moment in the history of mountaineering. The climb, however, ended tragically when four members of the party fell to their deaths during the descent.
This event cast a shadow over the triumph of the ascent and highlighted the dangers of mountain climbing. It also led to improved safety measures in the sport and further cemented the Matterhorn as a symbol of both the beauty and peril inherent in high-altitude mountaineering.
1874 – Chicago Fire of 1874
A significant but often overlooked event in Chicago’s history, the fire of July 14, 1874, devastated a large area of the city. Although it was smaller than the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, this fire destroyed roughly 47 acres of the city’s central business district, including the loss of 812 buildings.
The fire resulted in the deaths of up to 20 people and once again highlighted the vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure and firefighting capabilities of the time.
The 1874 fire reinforced the need for better building materials and more effective urban planning and fire prevention strategies in Chicago and other rapidly growing American cities.
1881 – Billy the Kid is killed by Pat Garrett
On July 14, 1881, the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Born Henry McCarty but better known by his alias William H. Bonney, Billy the Kid was a notorious figure of the American Old West, reputed to have killed eight men.
His death marked the end of a series of dramatic escapes and violent confrontations associated with his criminal activities. The circumstances of his death have been the subject of much legend and controversy, contributing to the enduring myth of Billy the Kid as a symbol of the rugged and lawless frontier of the late 19th century.
1902 – Collapse of the Campanile in St Mark’s Square, Venice
The Campanile of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, suddenly collapsed on July 14, 1902. Originally built in the 9th century and reconstructed several times, the bell tower was a beloved landmark and one of the most recognizable symbols of Venice.
Thankfully, no one was killed in the collapse, but the event was a significant loss to Venetian architectural heritage.
The cause of the collapse was attributed to faulty foundations and long-term structural weaknesses. A new campanile was subsequently constructed in the same spot, closely replicating the original design, and was completed in 1912, exactly 1,000 years after the initial construction of the original structure.
1912 – Birth of Woody Guthrie, American singer-songwriter
Woody Guthrie, born on July 14, 1912, in Okemah, Oklahoma, became one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His songs, often inspired by his experiences during the Great Depression, articulated the struggles and hopes of ordinary Americans.
Guthrie is best known for songs like “This Land Is Your Land,” which has become an unofficial national anthem advocating inclusivity and social justice.
His music influenced many other musicians and songwriters across various genres, particularly in the folk and protest movements of the 1960s. Guthrie’s legacy includes not only his vast catalog of music but also his influence on artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
1933 – Outlawing of all political parties in Germany except the Nazi Party
On July 14, 1933, Germany took a significant step towards totalitarian rule when the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, declared itself the only legal political party in the country.
This action came as part of a larger strategy known as Gleichschaltung, which aimed at consolidating power and normalizing the ideological control of the state.
The law against the formation of new parties effectively stifled opposition and marked the end of any potential democratic resistance within the political system of Germany, cementing the authoritarian structure of the Nazi regime.
1958 – Overthrow of the monarchy in Iraq
The Iraqi Revolution on July 14, 1958, resulted in a coup that overthrew the Hashemite monarchy established under King Faisal II.
Orchestrated by Brigadier General Abdul Karim Qasim and Colonel Abdul Salam Arif, the coup was primarily a response to widespread dissatisfaction with the monarchy’s pro-Western stance and failure to address social and economic inequalities.
The revolution marked the end of British influence in Iraq and led to the declaration of a republic. This event significantly altered the political landscape of the Middle East and set the stage for a series of conflicts and power struggles that would shape Iraq’s future.
1965 – Mariner 4 flyby of Mars takes the first close-up photos of another planet
On July 14, 1965, NASA’s Mariner 4 spacecraft made history by conducting the first successful flyby of Mars, capturing the first close-up photographs of another planet. These images revealed craters and details of the Martian surface, providing invaluable data that challenged earlier assumptions about Mars having Earth-like conditions.
This mission was a monumental achievement in space exploration, significantly advancing our understanding of Mars and fueling further interest in exploring the Red Planet. Mariner 4’s success paved the way for future missions to Mars and other celestial bodies.
1966 – Richard Speck murders eight student nurses in Chicago
On the night of July 14, 1966, one of the most horrifying mass murders in American history took place when Richard Speck brutally killed eight student nurses in their group residence in Chicago. Speck, who broke into their dormitory, systematically tortured, assaulted, and murdered the young women, leaving only one survivor who managed to hide during the rampage.
This crime shocked the nation and brought about significant changes in the security measures in hospitals and other institutions. Speck’s subsequent trial was highly publicized, and he was convicted and sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to life in prison.
1976 – Abolition of capital punishment in Canada
On July 14, 1976, Canada formally abolished the death penalty for murder, treason, and other capital offenses, marking a significant shift in the country’s criminal justice system. The decision followed a lengthy debate on the morality and effectiveness of capital punishment and was part of a broader movement towards more humane forms of punishment.
Since the last execution in 1962, public opinion had gradually shifted against the death penalty, influenced by arguments about human rights and the risk of wrongful convictions. The abolition of capital punishment in Canada reflects a commitment to justice that respects the dignity and value of every human life, reinforcing the country’s stance on human rights.
1987 – Agreement on the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer
The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty signed on July 14, 1987, was a landmark agreement aimed at protecting the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
The treaty was a response to scientific discoveries that showed how chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogenated ozone-depleting substances were creating a thinning in the ozone layer, notably resulting in the Antarctic ozone hole.
The protocol is considered one of the most successful international agreements and has been universally ratified; its implementation has led to significant decreases in the atmospheric concentration of the most harmful chemicals.
1995 – Naming of the MP3 file format
On July 14, 1995, the “.mp3” file extension was chosen as the standard for the MPEG Audio Layer III file format. This decision marked a pivotal moment in digital music, as MP3 became the predominant format for digital audio compression, allowing for efficient storage and transfer of music files over the internet.
The development of MP3 technology facilitated a shift in how music was distributed and consumed, leading to the rise of digital music players and online music streaming services. This format revolutionized the music industry, impacting everything from copyright laws to the business models of music distribution.
2000 – Bastille Day solar flare causes a geomagnetic storm on Earth
The Bastille Day Event, a powerful solar flare that occurred on July 14, 2000, was one of the largest solar radiation events since satellite monitoring began. This massive X-class flare emitted a stream of charged particles that struck Earth’s magnetic field, causing a geomagnetic storm that resulted in spectacular aurora displays far beyond the polar regions.
The event also disrupted satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids. This solar flare highlighted the vulnerabilities of modern technological systems to space weather phenomena and spurred enhancements in solar observation and the development of more robust protective measures for critical infrastructure.
2016 – Terrorist attack in Nice, France, on Bastille Day
On July 14, 2016, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in Nice, France, during Bastille Day celebrations. A lone attacker drove a large truck through a crowd of people gathered on the Promenade des Anglais to watch fireworks, killing 86 and injuring over 400.
The attack was one of several extremist incidents in France around that time, deeply shaking the nation and the world. It prompted a national and global reassessment of security measures for public events, leading to increased security protocols and a heightened focus on preventing vehicle-ramming attacks as a form of terrorism.