From the foundational signing of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of enduring national symbols to major aerospace milestones and defining political shifts, this seven-day span captures the dynamic evolution of American society, governance, and identity across the centuries.
July 28
- The Bonus March Eviction (1932): U.S. Army troops under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, accompanied by Major Dwight D. Eisenhower and Major George S. Patton, forcibly attacked and burned the encampments of thousands of unemployed World War I veterans in Washington, D.C., who were demanding early payment of their promised war bonuses.
- Establishment of NASA (1958): The United States Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which was signed into law, formally establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to lead the nation’s civilian space exploration and aeronautics research.
July 29
- Congressional Apology for Slavery (2008): The U.S. House of Representatives formally and publicly apologized for the institution of slavery and subsequent Jim Crow laws that systematically discriminated against African Americans.
- Arrest of Confederate Spy Belle Boyd (1862): During the American Civil War, prominent Confederate spy Belle Boyd was arrested by Union troops and subsequently detained at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C.
July 30
- Adoption of the National Motto (1956): President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a joint resolution of Congress making “In God We Trust” the official national motto of the United States.
- Sinking of the USS Indianapolis (1945): Shortly after delivering components for the atomic bombs to Tinian, the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine, resulting in the loss of 883 lives—the U.S. Navy’s single greatest loss of life at sea from a single vessel sinking.
July 31
- Issuance of the First U.S. Patent (1790): Inventor Samuel Hopkins was issued the very first U.S. patent under the newly enacted patent statute for an improved method of making “potash” and pearl ash (fertilizer and chemical agents).
- Dedication of New York International Airport (1948): Idlewild Field in New York was officially dedicated as New York International Airport—a facility that would later be renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), growing into one of the busiest global transit hubs.
August 1
- Statehood for Colorado (1876): Colorado was officially admitted to the Union as the 38th U.S. state, earning the enduring nickname the “Centennial State” because its admission coincided with the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- Launch of MTV (1981): Music Television (MTV) began broadcasting in the United States, forever altering the American music and pop culture landscape by airing its iconic first music video, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
August 2
- Formal Signing of the Declaration of Independence (1776): Nearly a month after its adoption by the Continental Congress, the official parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence began to be signed by 56 members in Philadelphia.
- Sudden Death of President Warren G. Harding (1923): U.S. President Warren G. Harding died suddenly while visiting San Francisco on a western speaking tour, prompting widespread mourning and the swift succession of Vice President Calvin Coolidge.
August 3
- Columbus Sets Sail on His First Voyage (1492): Financially backed by Spain but steering an expedition that fundamentally reshaped world history and European contact with the Americas, Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos de la Frontera.
- Founding of the American Dental Association (1859): Twenty-six dentists met in Niagara Falls, New York, to officially establish the American Dental Association (ADA), setting professional standards and advancing oral healthcare across the country.
