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Major Events
- 1837 – Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace, making it the official residence of the British monarch.
- 1923 – The Hollywood Sign was officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywood, Los Angeles. Originally it read “Hollywoodland.”
- 1977 – A major blackout hit New York City, leaving much of the city without power for nearly 25 hours.
- 1985 – Live Aid concerts were held in London and Philadelphia to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.
- 2016 – Theresa May became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding David Cameron.
Famous Birthdays
- Julius Caesar (100 BC–44 BC), Roman general and statesman
- Harrison Ford (born 1942), American actor known for Indiana Jones and Star Wars
- Patrick Stewart (born 1940), English actor famous for roles in Star Trek and X-Men
- Ken Jeong (born 1969), American actor and comedian, known for The Hangover
- Cameron Crowe (born 1957), American screenwriter and director of Almost Famous
Notable Deaths
- Frida Kahlo (d. 1954), Mexican painter known for her surreal self-portraits (b. 1907)
- Red Skelton (d. 1997), American comedian and entertainer (b. 1913)
- Roland Petit (d. 2011), French choreographer and ballet dancer (b. 1924)
Holidays
- Montenegro Statehood Day – Commemorating the 1878 recognition of Montenegro’s independence at the Congress of Berlin.
- International Rock Day – A fun, unofficial holiday celebrating all things rock music.
Fun Facts
- The Hollywood Sign originally cost $21,000 to build and was only intended to last 18 months.
- Live Aid raised over $125 million for famine relief and featured performances by Queen, U2, and Led Zeppelin.
- Queen Victoria was just 18 years old when she moved into Buckingham Palace.
- Frida Kahlo’s unique style blends folk art and personal symbolism, making her an icon of both feminism and Mexican culture.