July 2025

Did your ancestors fight in the American Civil War? On this day in 1816, Union general George H. Thomas was born. Image: George H. Thomas / Library of Congress Thomas was born on July 31, 1816 in Newsom’s Depot, Virginia to John Thomas and Elizabeth Rochelle. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Thomas chose to stay with the U.S. Army despite his Virginian heritage. His decision to remain loyal to the Union caused… Read the full story

On this day in 1818, author Emily Brontë was born. Image: Brass plaque at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Haworth / dulhunk, Flickr CC BY 2.0 Emily was born on July 30, 1818 in Thornton, Yorkshire, England. She was the fifth of six children born to Patrick Brontë and Maria Branwell. When she was three, her mother died of cancer shortly after the birth of her younger sister, Anne. Four years later, her older… Read the full story

Do you enjoy the artwork of Vincent van Gogh? Today we remember the famous Dutch painter who died on this day in 1890 from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Image: Vincent van Gogh / Wikimedia Common Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 to an upper-middle class family. He was born exactly one year after the stillbirth of his parents’ first son, who was also named Vincent. Van Gogh had a close relationship with his… Read the full story

Today we remember former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis on what would have been her 96th birthday. Image: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis / Library of Congress She was born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on July 28, 1929 in Southhampton, New York to Wall Street stockbroker John Vernou Bouvier III and socialite Janet Norton Lee. Before marrying John F. Kennedy, she worked as an inquiring photographer at the Washington Times-Herald. The couple was first introduced by a mutual friend, journalist… Read the full story

Did your ancestors fight in the American Revolutionary War? On this day in 1750, American Revolutionary War General Henry Knox was born. Image: Henry Knox / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, CC0 Knox was born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 25, 1750. To help support his family, he left school at the age of 9 and began working at a bookstore. He educated himself by reading the books in the store and eventually was able to open… Read the full story

Today we remember pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart on what would have been her 128th birthday. Image: Amelia Earhart / San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive Amelia Mary Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. She was named after her two grandmothers, Amelia Josephine Otis and Mary Wells Earhart. From a young age, Amelia had an adventurist spirit. After Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic, she knew she wanted to be the first woman… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Woody Harrelson! Today the actor celebrates his 64th birthday. Image: Woody Harrelson / LBJ Library photo by Gabriel Cristóver Pérez Harrelson was born Woodrow Tracy Harrelson on July 23, 1961 in Midland, Texas. His father was a convicted contract killer and received a life sentence in 1979. Raised by a single mother, Harrelson grew up in a very religious Presbyterian household. He later attend Hanover College on a Presbyterian scholarship. In 1985,… Read the full story

On this day in 1849, American poet and activist Emma Lazarus was born. Lazarus is best remembered for the sonnet “The New Colossus,” and today, her iconic words, “Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled Masses yearning to breath free,” can still be found inscribed on a bronze plaque at the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Image: Emma Lazarus / Wikimedia Commons Lazarus was born on July 22, 1849 in New York City, New York… Read the full story

Today we remember author Ernest Hemingway, who was born on this day in 1899. Image: Ernest Hemingway / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Ernest Miller Hemingway was bon on July 21, 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois to Clarence Edmonds Hemingway, a physician, and Grace Hall, an opera singer and painter. During World War I, Hemingway enlisted with the Red Cross to become an ambulance driver. While at the Italian front, he was severely injured and… Read the full story

On this day in 1867, American socialite and philanthropist Margaret Brown was born. A survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, Brown was dubbed “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” by historians for her legendary tales of heroism during the disaster. Image: Margaret Brown / Library of Congress She was born Margaret Tobin in Hannibal, Missouri in a two-room cottage to John Tobin and Johanna Collins. In 1886, she married James Joseph “J.J.” Brown, a self-educated entrepreneur… Read the full story

Today we remember comedian Phyllis Diller, who was born on July 17, 1917 in Lima, Ohio. Image: Phyllis Diller / Allan Warren, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) The only daughter of Perry Marcus Driver and Frances Ada Romshe, Diller studied the piano for many years but decided against pursing a career in music. In 1939, she eloped with Sherwood Diller and together, the couple had six children (one died in infancy). She got her start in comedy… Read the full story

Are you a fan of old fashioned Hollywood musicals? Today we remember Ginger Rogers, who was born on this day in 1911. Image: Ginger Rogers / Wikimedia Commons Rogers was born Virginia Katherine McMath on July 16, 1911 in Independence, Missouri. She started her career in vaudeville after a win at a Charleston dance contest earned her a spot with a traveling vaudeville act. She became most famous for her musical and dance partnership with Fred… Read the full story

On this day in 1606, Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn was born. An artist during the Dutch Golden Age, today Rembrandt is considered to be one of the greatest and most important Dutch painters in history. Image: Rembrandt van Rijn / Wikimedia Commons Rembrandt was born on July 15, 1606 in Leiden, Dutch Republic, which is now the Netherlands. He was the ninth child born to Harmen Gerritszoon van Rijn, a miller, and Neeltgen Willemsdochter… Read the full story

On this day in 1912, American folk singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. Image: Woody Guthrie / Library of Congress Guthrie was named after Woodrow Wilson, who was then the Democratic candidate for President. He faced family tragedies early in his life, including the death of his sister in a fire. His mother, suffering from Huntington’s disease, was also later institutionalized. By the age of 14, Guthrie was left to fend for… Read the full story

Today marks the 258th birthday of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. Image: John Quincy Adams / Wikimedia Commons Adams was born on July 11, 1767 in Braintree, Massachusetts to John and Abigail Adams. He was named after his mother’s maternal grandfather, Colonel John Quincy. The city of Quincy, Massachusetts was named after the Colonel. As a young boy, Adams witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill from the top of Penn’s Hill above… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Nikola Tesla! Today marks what would have been the inventor’s 169th birthday. Image: Nikola Tesla / Library of Congress Tesla was born on July 10, 1856 in the village of Smiljan in the Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia) to Serbian parents. His father and his maternal grandfather were Orthodox priests. Although his father wished for him to also enter the priesthood, Tesla was firmly interested in the sciences. After arriving in American in 1884, Tesla worked briefly as an… Read the full story

On this day in 1819, American inventor Elias Howe was born. Remembered for patenting the first practical sewing machine, Howe’s invention revolutionized the manufacturing of garments. Image: Elias Howe / Wikimedia Commons Howe was born on July 9, 1819 in Spencer, Massachusetts to Dr. Elias Howe, Sr. and Polly Bemis. At 16, Howe began an apprenticeship in a textile factory. However, the Panic of 1837 cost Howe his job. He later began working at a machinist’s shop, where… Read the full story

Today actor Kevin Bacon celebrates his 67th birthday! Image: Kevin Bacon / Genevieve, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) The actor and musician was born on July 8, 1958 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Edmund Norwood Bacon and Ruth Holmes. His father was a prominent architect and served as the Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Sometimes called the “Father of Modern Philadelphia,” the elder Bacon’s vision helped shape much of today’s Philadelphia. Bacon made… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Ringo Starr! Today the legendary musician turns 85. Image: Ringo Starr / Library of Congress The Beatles drummer was born Richard Starkey in Liverpool, England on July 7, 1940. He was in and out of hospitals for much of his childhood. After contracting tuberculosis in 1953, he was admitted to a sanitarium where he stayed for two years. To help stimulate his motor activity and relieve boredom, Starr was encouraged to join… Read the full story

Declaration of Independence, Goddard broadside / Library of Congress Every year on July 4th, the United States celebrates Independence Day to commemorate the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document declared the freedom and independence of the 13 American colonies from British rule under King George III. On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress gathered at the Pennsylvania State House to unanimously adopt the Declaration of Independence. The document… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Tom Cruise! Today the star turns 63. Image: Tom Cruise / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) The popular movie star was born Thomas Cruise Mapother, IV on July 3, 1962 in Syracuse, New York. After making notable appearances in the films Taps and The Outsiders, Cruise went on to star in two highly successful films Risky Business and Top Gun, cementing his status as a major Hollywood superstar. Since then, Cruise has headlined… Read the full story

On this day in 1903, Olav V of Norway was born. Nicknamed “the People’s King,” Olav was immensely popular during his reign for his down-to-earth style. Image: Olav V of Norway / National Library of Norway The Norwegian monarch was born with the name Alexander Edward Christian Frederik on July 2, 1903 at Appleton House at the royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England. He was the only child of Prince Carl of Denmark and Princess Maud, the… Read the full story

Today we remember Diana, Princess of Wales, on what would have been her 64th birthday. Image: Diana, Princess of Wales / Wikimedia Commons She was born Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961 in Park House, Sandringham, Norfolk. She was the fourth of five children born to Edward John Spencer, and his first wife, Frances Ruth Roche. Her parents divorced when she was a child and her father received custody of the children. After her father… Read the full story