What happened on July 23rd?

Good morning!

On this day in 1903, the Ford Motor Company sold its very first automobile. This sale marked the beginning of a revolution in transportation and the start of Henry Ford's goal to make cars accessible to the masses.

Here's what else happened on this day in history.

🚗Ford Motor Company Sold Its First Automobile in 1903

The sale of the first Model A took place shortly after the company was incorporated on June 16, 1903. The buyer, Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, received the car in July, making history as Ford's first customer. This sale was crucial for the fledgling company, which was operating on a tight budget and faced skepticism about its viability.

Henry Ford's vision extended beyond merely selling cars; he aimed to create an affordable automobile for the masses. The success of the Model A provided the foundation for future innovations, including the development of the moving assembly line and the iconic Model T.

A byproduct of Ford’s vision was to stimulate the modern middle class. Ford set the stage for industrialization to take off in the United States, which created high paying jobs in cities around the country. Individuals could raise their standard of living doing repeptitive, specialized tasks in a factory, and then they could use those wages to buy things such as…an automobile. In this sense, Ford not only made automobiles accessible to the masses, he also helped create more wealth for the masses so they could afford to buy these very same automobiles.

Read more in Fast Moving: Henry Ford’s Contributions to America.

⚠️1914: Austria-Hungary Issues Ultimatum to Serbia

Following Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, an intense diplomatic crisis erupted. The Austro-Hungarian government, aiming to suppress nationalist movements and assert its authority, demanded Serbia dismantle anti-Austrian organizations and allow Austro-Hungarian officials in judicial proceedings. Serbia's partial acceptance failed to satisfy these demands, prompting Austria-Hungary to declare war. This act swiftly escalated into World War I, drawing major powers into a global conflict through a web of alliances. Read more in What Caused World War 1? Political, Imperialistic, and Nationalistic Factors.

⚖️1945: Marshal Philippe Pétain of France Went on Trial for Treason

Once a national hero for his World War I leadership, Pétain faced severe charges for his collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II. As head of Vichy France, he cooperated with the German occupation, endorsed anti-Semitic policies, and aided in persecuting resistance movements. The trial, which captivated the French public, exposed Vichy France's betrayal. After examining the evidence, the court found Pétain guilty of treason and sentenced him to death. However, due to his age and past service, the government commuted the sentence to life imprisonment.

🛡️1952: Military Seized Power in Egypt

General Muhammad Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser led a coup to overthrow King Farouk, ending Egypt's monarchy. The Free Officers Movement, driven by nationalism, sought to combat corruption, economic issues, and British influence. Naguib took initial control, but Nasser soon became the leader. The coup established a republic, initiated land reforms, nationalized industries, and asserted Egypt's independence from British control. 

🔥1967: A Riot Began in Detroit

A police raid on the Blind Pig, an unlicensed bar, ignited widespread civil unrest in Detroit. Systemic racial discrimination, police brutality, and economic inequality fueled the five-day riot. Violent clashes, looting, and arson ensued, resulting in 43 deaths, thousands of injuries, over 7,000 arrests, and massive property damage. National Guard and federal troops intervened to restore order, highlighting deep racial tensions and sparking urgent calls for reform.

🗳️1997: Slobodan Milošević Became President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

His tenure came during intense ethnic conflicts and wars in the Balkans, including the Bosnian War and the Kosovo conflict. Milošević, already known for his nationalist policies as Serbia's leader, faced international condemnation for alleged war crimes and human rights abuses. His presidency exacerbated regional tensions, leading to NATO intervention in Kosovo and economic sanctions against Yugoslavia. Milošević's rule ended in 2000 after mass protests and his eventual arrest.

🚀1999: Eileen Collins Became the First Woman to Command a Space Shuttle Mission

Eileen Collins made history as the first woman to command a NASA space shuttle mission. Collins piloted the space shuttle Columbia during the STS-93 mission, which deployed the Chandra X-ray Observatory, a powerful telescope designed to observe X-rays from high-energy regions of the universe. Her leadership on this mission marked a significant milestone in gender equality in aerospace. It showed her exceptional skills and paved the way for future female astronauts.

🌟Born on This Day

1961: Woody Harrelson, Actor

Celebrated for his versatile roles in film and television, Woody has earned acclaim for his performances in movies like Natural Born Killers and The Hunger Games.

1967: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Actor

Known for his profound acting skills showcased in numerous acclaimed films, including Capote, for which he won an Academy Award.

💔Died on This Day

1885: Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States

Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, served from 1869 to 1877 and was a key Union general during the Civil War. Known for his military leadership, he played a crucial role in securing Union victories and ultimately accepting Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865.

2011: Amy Winehouse, British Singer-Songwriter

Amy Winehouse, the acclaimed British singer-songwriter, was known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, jazz, and R&B. She tragically passed away in 2011 at the age of 27, leaving behind a legacy marked by her influential album Back to Black and her impact on contemporary music.

2012: Sally Ride, US Astronaut

Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel into space, flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983. She passed away in 2012 and was a pioneering astronaut and an advocate for science education. She inspired young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in science and engineering.

Talk tomorrow!

Matt