What happened on July 7th?

Hey! Ready to jump into July 7th with me? This date is marked by a multitude of significant moments, but one event that stands out is the beginning of the Hoover Dam's construction in 1930.

This awe-inspiring feat of engineering not only transformed the American landscape but also became a symbol of hope and resilience during the Great Depression.

Read about other interesting events that happened on this day in history:

⚡ 1930: Building of Hoover Dam Began

The construction of the Hoover Dam began on April 20, 1931, during the Great Depression. It was built on the Colorado River along the border between the states of Arizona and Nevada, near Boulder City, Nevada. The dam was intended to provide flood control, irrigation water, and hydroelectric power to the southwestern United States.

The project was a monumental engineering feat, employing thousands of workers from across the country. It was overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, with the primary contractor being Six Companies, Inc. The initial construction involved diverting the Colorado River through tunnels and cofferdams to allow the construction of the dam itself on the dry riverbed.

The dam's completion had significant impacts on the region, including the creation of Lake Mead and the generation of hydroelectric power that helped spur economic development in the area.

⚓ 1770: A Russian Fleet Destroyed an Ottoman Fleet in the Battle of Çeşme

During the Russo-Turkish War, a Russian fleet decisively defeated the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Çeşme. The Russian fleet, commanded by Count Alexei Orlov, launched a night attack using fireships, which destroyed the Ottoman fleet anchored at Çeşme Bay. This defeat not only crippled Ottoman naval power but also shifted the balance of naval strength in the Mediterranean, opening the region to increased Russian influence and signaling a turning point in Ottoman maritime dominance.

✍️ 1807: The First of the Treaties of Tilsit Was Signed between France and Russia

Napoleon Bonaparte and Tsar Alexander I signed the first Treaty of Tilsit. This treaty was a result of negotiations between Emperor Napoleon I of France and Tsar Alexander I of Russia following the French victories at the battles of Eylau and Friedland. The treaty ended the war between the two empires and established an alliance, with Russia agreeing to join the Continental System, Napoleon's blockade against Britain. The agreement also led to significant territorial changes, including the creation of the Duchy of Warsaw from Polish lands taken from Prussia.

🏝️ 1898: The United States Formally Annexed the Hawaiian Islands

In 1898, the United States formally annexed the Hawaiian Islands. The annexation followed a period of significant political and economic influence by American settlers and businesses in Hawaii. The Newlands Resolution, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President William McKinley, officially made Hawaii a U.S. territory. This move was strategically motivated, providing the U.S. with a vital naval base at Pearl Harbor. This played a crucial role in the country's military presence in the Pacific. The annexation marked the end of the Hawaiian monarchy and the islands' transition into American governance.

🪖 1917: British Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps Was Officially Established

In 1917, the British Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) was officially established. This was a pioneering move, as it marked the first time women were formally allowed to serve in the British Army. The WAAC members, known as "Waacs," took on various non-combatant roles such as clerks, cooks, telephonists, and mechanics, which freed up men to fight on the front lines during World War I. Read more about WWI in What Caused World War 1? Political, Imperialistic, and Nationalistic Factors.

🍞 1928: Pre-Sliced Bread First Went on Sale

Pre-sliced bread, a revolutionary convenience, was first sold by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri. People recognized the convenience of pre-sliced bread which led to its rapid adoption and eventual making of the phrase "the best thing since sliced bread," a popular idiom to describe excellent new ideas or inventions. This innovation quickly became a household staple. Read how sliced bread came to be the necessity that it is today in: A Slice of Genius: Uncovering Who Invented Sliced Bread.

⚔️ 1937: Chinese and Japanese Troops Clashed in the Second Sino-Japanese War

Chinese and Japanese troops clashed at the Marco Polo Bridge near Beijing, marking the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War. This incident stemmed from tensions over Japanese military presence in and around Beijing under previous agreements. The conflict significantly weakened China, led to severe atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre, and set the stage for Japan's deeper involvement in World War II, ultimately affecting the global dynamics of the war. Read about other significant events of WWII in WW2 Timeline and Dates.

🪖 1969: U.S. Troops Begin Withdrawal from South Vietnam

In 1969, U.S. troops began their withdrawal from South Vietnam. This marked the start of a process aimed at ending American involvement in the Vietnam War. This withdrawal was part of President Richard Nixon's "Vietnamization" strategy, which sought to transfer combat responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces and reduce the U.S. military presence in the region. Read more about the Vietnam War in Interchange: Legacies of the Vietnam War and our newsletters from May 18th and June 28th.

🌟 Born on This Day in History

1907: Robert A. Heinlein, Author

Robert A. Heinlein, a pioneering science fiction writer, is known for his influential works such as Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers, which explored complex social, political, and scientific themes.

1940: Ringo Starr, British Musician

Ringo Starr is a British musician best known as the drummer for the Beatles, one of the most influential bands in music history. He contributed to the Beatles' success with his unique drumming style and later enjoyed a successful solo career with hits like Photograph and It Don't Come Easy.

💔 Died on This Day in History

1307: Edward I, King of England

Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots was a formidable English king known for his military campaigns and legal reforms. Edward I wasn’t the only English monarch known for reforms; read all about the English monarchs that came before and after him in The Kings and Queens of England: English Monarchs Timeline from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.

1865: Mary Surratt, US Businesswoman

Mary Surratt was executed for her involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. She was the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government.

1901: Johanna Spyri, Swiss Writer

Johanna Spyri was the author of Heidi, a classic children's novel that has been translated into numerous languages and remains beloved worldwide. Heidi not only became a cornerstone of children's literature but also inspired numerous adaptations, including films, television series, and animations, and helped to shape perceptions of Swiss culture internationally.

1903: Kid Curry, Outlaw

Kid Curry, a notorious member of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch, was infamous for his involvement in numerous robberies and gunfights in the American West. The Wild West was infested with outlaws that were even more dangerous than Kid Curry's. Don’t miss out on the other ones! Read about them and Kid Curry in The Most Famous Outlaws of the Wild West: Jesse James to Robert Leroy Parker.

1930: Arthur Conan Doyle, British Author

Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, was a prolific writer whose works continue to captivate readers. His contributions to literature and the detective genre are legendary.

That’s it for today! See you tomorrow with other interesting facts from the past!

Matt