On this day: July 14
1789 – Bastille Day
On July 14, 1789, the French Revolution began with the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris. The Bastille was a symbol of the monarchy’s tyranny, and its fall marked the start of the revolution that would ultimately lead to the overthrow of the French monarchy and the establishment of a republic. The storming of the Bastille is now celebrated as Bastille Day, a national holiday in France.
1863 – New York City Draft Riots
On July 14, 1863, the New York City Draft Riots began. The riots were sparked by anger over the newly implemented draft laws, which allowed wealthy individuals to avoid military service by paying a fee. The riots quickly escalated into a week-long period of violence, with mobs attacking African Americans and wealthy individuals throughout the city. The riots were eventually put down by federal troops, but not before hundreds of people were killed and many more injured.
1914 – World War I Begins
On July 14, 1914, World War I began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo. The assassination set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of war between the major European powers. The war would last for four years and result in the deaths of millions of soldiers and civilians.
1965 – Mariner 4 Spacecraft Flies by Mars
On July 14, 1965, the Mariner 4 spacecraft flew by Mars, becoming the first spacecraft to successfully transmit close-up images of another planet. The images sent back by Mariner 4 revolutionized our understanding of Mars and paved the way for future missions to the red planet.
2000 – Death of Sirimavo Bandaranaike
On July 14, 2000, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world’s first female head of government, passed away in Sri Lanka. Bandaranaike served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka three times, from 1960 to 1977 and again from 1994 to 2000. She was a trailblazer for women in politics and left a lasting impact on the political landscape of Sri Lanka.
