On this day
1st July
Birthday of the world's biggest circulation magazine
The world's most widely circulated magazine launched this day in 1879. The bimonthly churns out over 62 million copies in over 303 languages.
2nd July
We're remembering Ernest Hemingway
Nobel Prize-winning author of A Call To Arms, bullfight fanatic, stogie chomper deep sea fisherman, decorated First World War hero, master of the knife
3rd July
Pitcairn Ahoy!
This day, in 1767, 15-year-old Midshipman Robert Pitcairn, on board the British sloop (a small square-rigged sailing warship) HMS Swallow, sighted the
4th July
Fourth of July
There's not many days more patriotic around the world than America's Independence Day. It's a celebration marking the day in 1776 when the Declaration
5th July
Happy Birthday NHS
Launched this day in 1948, today is the birthday of the greatest of all great British institutions, the NHS. The National Health Service provides a comprehensive
6th July
International Kissing Day
Today has been declared a day for kissing, so grab your loved ones and pucker your lips, it's time to celebrate with a show of affection.
7th July
World Chocolate Day
World Chocolate Day is, as its name suggests, is celebrated globally every year on this day. However, this is confused by the United States, which in a
8th July
The Wall Street Journal's birthday
The origins of the Wall Street Journal lie in a series of bulletins that were issued throughout the working day and delivered by hand to traders on the
9th July
Tom Hanks' birthday
It's the birthday of Tom Hanks, star of a magnificent portfolio of movies including Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away and the Toy Story series.
10th July
Ημέρα της Piña Colada!
Σήμερα είναι η εθνική ημέρα της Piña Colada! Και επειδή πλέον, έπειτα από πολλά χρόνια, μπορείτε
11th July
Mojito Day
The internet powers-that-be have appointed 11th July Mojito Day - and who are we to argue? The Mojito is one Cuban classic that's just made for a hot summer's
12th July
The Rolling Stones' first gig
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart and Dick Taylor, billed as The Rollin' Stones, played their first gig on this day in 1962, at the
13th July
Hollywood Sign's birthday
Way back in 1923, a bunch of California realtors established a company to sell property up in the Hollywood Hills. At the then-astronomical cost of $21,000,
14th July
Bastille Day (La Fete Nationale)
Vive la Revolution. July 14th calls for a celebration of all things French, so roll out the croissant pastry, slice the baguette and fill the cheese platter
15th July
The discovery of Alaska
On this day a Russian expedition, led by Aleksei Chirikov and Vitus Bering, became the first Europeans to reach Alaska. (Bering would give his name to
16th July
National Cherry Day
Such National day celebrations tend to originate in America, but we're proud to report this fruity celebration is a British initiative, instigated by the
17th July
Punch Magazine's birthday
Although it now only survives as a cartoon library and website, Punch was once one of the best-known magazines of all time - and one of the only successful
18th July
Hunter S. Thompson's birthday
The father of Gonzo journalism, sports writer, novelist, caner, and scourge of politicians and hypocrites, Hunter S. Thompson, of Fear and Loathing in
19th July
Daiquiri Day
Today bars the world over will be celebrating National Daiquiri Day, and as the original, non-slushified Daiquiri is one of our very favourite cocktails,
20th July
Men first walked on the moon
Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, two-thirds of the crew of the Apollo 11 mission, achieved this extraordinary feat on this day back in 1969, watched by
21st July
Legal Drinking Age Day
You can drive a car, carry a gun, go to war, get married and have children but you can't purchase alcohol under the age of 21 in the USA – something
22nd July
Anniversary of the Loch Ness Monster's fame
The sighting of the Loch Ness Monster by Mr and Mrs Spicer on this day in 1933 is our particular favourite as he was actually out of the loch.
23rd July
Today is Haile Selassie's birthday
Haile Selassie, African statesman, global icon and the last emperor of Ethiopia, was born today in 1892.
24th July
Ημέρα της Tequila
Today is National Tequila Day in the USA, and so by extension simply Tequila Day in other agave loving countries. Bars around the world will be knocking
25th July
Admiral Nelson lost an arm
Not only did Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson lose the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on this day in 1797, but he lost his arm as well.
26th July
Anniversary of Eva Peron's death
María Eva Duarte de Perón died on this day in 1952, aged 33, leaving in her wake a whole wealth of movies, musicals, Madonna songs, not to mention poems
27th July
Sleepy Head Day
Oh, those crazy Finns! In Finland, today is Sleepy Head Day, when the last person still in bed in a house is awoken with a shock of cold water - either
28th July
Peruvian Independence Day
The next couple of days are huge in Peru as the nation gets two days off work to commemorate the country's liberation from the Spanish empire. On this
29th July
Van Gogh died
One of the greatest painters of all time, Vincent Van Gogh, creator of Sunflowers, Irises and some haunting self-portraits, tragically shot himself on
30th July
Penguin Books' birthday
The paperback revolution began on this day in 1935 with the publication of ten Penguin books.
31st July
Black Tot Day
On this day in 1970, the British Navy retired one of its longest-standing traditions – the midday rum ration, or tot.
