On This Day - What Happened on July 1 | Britannica

This Day in History: July 1

Featured Biography

Diana, princess of Wales
British princess
1971
Missy Elliott
American rapper and music producer
1961
Diana, princess of Wales
British princess
1934
Sydney Pollack
American director, producer, and actor
1916
Olivia de Havilland
American actress
1818
Ignaz Semmelweis
Hungarian physician

More Events On This Day

2020
United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a controversial trade pact that took effect in 1994, was replaced by the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead
2004
Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire
Iconic American motion-picture and stage actor Marlon Brando, the most celebrated of the method actors, died at age 80. Test your knowledge of movie stars
© 1951 Warner Brothers, Inc.; photograph from a private collection
2002
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court—established to prosecute and adjudicate individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity—began sittings.
© aniel127001/Dreamstime.com
1997
Hong Kong
The crown colony of Hong Kong officially reverted to Chinese sovereignty, ending 156 years of British rule. Watch an overview of Hong Kong
© Wilfredo Rodríguez (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
1979
Sony Walkman
Sony began selling its Walkman, a portable cassette player; an international sensation, the device changed the way people listened to music. Sort fact from fiction in our gadgets and technology quiz
Courtesy of Sony Electronics Inc.
1968
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
The United States, the United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R., and 59 other states signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in an attempt to halt the spread of nuclear weapons. Take our weapons and warfare quiz
© AP/IAEA
1963
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The U.S. Postal Service instituted the Zone Improvement Plan Code, commonly known as the ZIP Code.
1903
Miguel Indurain
The first Tour de France began, and the race went on to become cycling's most prestigious and difficult event. Sort fact from fiction in our Tour de France quiz
AP
1863
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg, one of the most important battles of the American Civil War, began. Who won which Civil War battle?
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (LC-USZC4-2088)
1690
William III at the Battle of the Boyne
In the Battle of the Boyne, King William III of England defeated former king James II, who was attempting to take back the throne. Match the battle with the war in our quiz
Photos.com/Jupiterimages
1535
Hans Holbein the Younger: Sir Thomas More
Sir Thomas More went on trial for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. Sort fact from fiction in our quiz of famous Englishmen
Photos.com/Getty Images