2003: The highest temperature ever recorded in the United Kingdom, 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) in Kent, England. It is the first time the United Kingdom has recorded a temperature over 100 °F (38 °C).
1993: Two earthquakes affect New Zealand. A 7.0 Mw shock (intensity VI (Strong)) on the South Island was followed nine hours later by a 6.4 Mw event (intensity VII (Very strong)) on the North Island.
1977: In Yonkers, New York, 24-year-old postal employee David Berkowitz ("Son of Sam") is arrested for a series of killings in the New York City area over the period of one year.
1949: U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs the National Security Act Amendment, streamlining the defense agencies of the United States government, and replacing the Department of War with the United States Department of Defense.
1948: Candid Camera makes its television debut after being on radio for a year as Candid Microphone.
1944: World War II: The Battle of Narva ends with a combined German-Estonian force successfully defending Narva, Estonia, from invading Soviet troops.
1944: World War II: The Battle of Guam comes to an effective end.
1932: A 5.1 kilograms (11 lb) chondrite-type meteorite breaks into at least seven pieces and lands near the town of Archie in Cass County, Missouri.
1864: After Uruguay's governing Blanco Party refuses Brazil's demands, José Antônio Saraiva announces that the Brazilian military will begin reprisals, beginning the Uruguayan War.
1813: Instituto Nacional, is founded by the Chilean patriot José Miguel Carrera. It is Chile's oldest and most prestigious school. Its motto is Labor Omnia Vincit, which means "Work conquers all things".
1809: Quito, now the capital of Ecuador, declares independence from Spain. This rebellion will be crushed on August 2, 1810.
1793: The Musée du Louvre is officially opened in Paris, France.