H. Truman & L. Johnson Shaking Hands

1965

President Johnson signs Medicare into law

Born on This Day

Emily Bronte

Emily Brontë

1818 - 1848

English author whose only novel, "Wuthering Heights," is a passionate story of love, obsession and revenge.

Large Scale Solar Power Unit Installed At Los Angeles Port Location Of Ocean Studies Company AltaSea

Arnold Schwarzenegger

1947 -

Austrian-born bodybuilder, fitness advocate and "The Terminator" action movie star. Elected to serve as California governor in 2003.

Kate Bush

Kate Bush

1958 -

English singer-songwriter known for blending rock, pop and experimental music. Hits include "Running Up That Hill."

Emily Brontë

Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Getty Images

Kate Bush

TV Times via Getty Images

2004

JUL

30

The cult-classic stoner comedy "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" is released. The Columbus, Ohio-based hamburger chain reportedly sees sales rise 30 percent the following week.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on July 30th

1619

First legislative assembly in America convenes in Jamestown

In Jamestown, Virginia, the first elected legislative assembly in the New World—the House of Burgesses—convenes in the choir of the town’s church. Earlier that year, the London Company, which had established the Jamestown settlement 12 years before, directed Virginia Governor Sir George Yeardley to summon a “General Assembly” elected by the settlers, with every free […]

1:04m read read

1777

New York’s first elected governor takes office

On July 30, 1777, Brigadier General George Clinton, takes office as the first elected governor of the independent state of New York. Clinton would go on to become New York’s longest-serving governor, as well as the longest-serving governor in the United States, holding the post until 1795, and again from 1801 to 1804. In 1805, […]

1:28m read read

George Clinton

1864

Union forces stopped at the Battle of the Crater

On July 30, 1864, at the Battle of the Crater, the Union’s ingenious attempt to break the Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia, by blowing up a tunnel that had been dug under the Rebel trenches fails. Although the explosion created a gap in the Confederate defenses, a poorly planned Yankee attack wasted the effort and […]

1866

The New Orleans Massacre

On July 30, 1866, during the turbulent Reconstruction era after the Civil War, white resistance to African American citizenship turns violent in New Orleans when a white mob kills dozens of African Americans gathering to support a political meeting. The New Orleans Massacre, also called the New Orleans Riot, happened at the New Orleans Mechanics […]

2:46m read read

1945

USS Indianapolis torpedoed

The USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.

Survivors of USS Indianapolis en route to the hospital following their rescue

1956

President Eisenhower signs “In God We Trust” into law

On July 30, 1956, two years after pushing to have the phrase “under God” inserted into the pledge of allegiance, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be the nation’s official motto. The law, P.L. 84-140, also mandated that the phrase be printed on all American paper currency. […]

1:56m read read

1966

The Troggs take their signature hit, “Wild Thing,” to #1

On July 30, 1966, the the three-chord masterpiece “Wild Thing” became a #1 hit for The Troggs, instantly earning a place in the rock ‘n’ roll canon. “Wild Thing” was written in 1965 by a New York songwriter named Chip Taylor (born James Voight, brother of the actor Jon Voight and uncle of actress Angelina […]

1:54m read read

1971

Fighter jet collides with passenger plane

A mid-air collision between a Boeing 727 and a fighter jet in Japan kills 162 people on July 30, 1971. The military plane was flying without radar. All Nippon Airways Flight 58 was traveling from Chitose Airport in Hokkaido to Tokyo, filled largely with members of a group dedicated to the assistance of war victims. […]

0:48m read read

1974

Under subpoena, Nixon surrenders Watergate tapes

Nixon releases recordings suspected to prove his guilt.

2:28m read read

Nixon Watergate

1976

Caitlyn Jenner wins Olympic decathlon

On July 30, 1976, American Caitlyn Jenner—who was competing as Bruce Jenner—wins gold in the men’s decathlon at the Montreal Olympics. Jenner’s 8,617 points set a world record in the event. The secret to Jenner’s success was preparation. In the 1970s, most decathletes trained with other decathletes. Jenner, however, trained with some of the world’s best athletes […]

1:28m read read

1999

“The Blair Witch Project” released in theaters

On July 30, 1999, The Blair Witch Project, a low-budget, independent horror film that will become a massive cult hit, is released in U.S. theaters. Shot with shaky, handheld cameras, the documentary-style movie told the story of three student filmmakers who disappeared into the woods and were never heard from again, although their footage was […]

1:42m read read

Heather Donahue In 'The Blair Witch Project'

2003

Last classic VW Beetle rolls off the line

It's the last of 21,529,464 Beetles built since WWII.

2:32m read read

Vintage car against white background

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us