Major Events of July 1910: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from July 1910 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of July 1910: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jul 1910 Russia and Japan Sign Manchuria Treaty: On July 1st, 1910, Russia and Japan signed a diplomatic treaty defining their respective 'spheres of influence' in Manchuria and broader Asia. This agreement was part of the complex geopolitical maneuvering following the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, reflecting the strategic interests of both imperial powers in the region.
02 Jul 1910 Louise Laroche: Titanic Survivor Born: Louise Laroche, a notable survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster, was born on July 2, 1910. As one of the few remaining survivors of the tragic maritime event, her life story represents a remarkable connection to one of the most infamous shipwrecks in history.
03 Jul 1910 Second Annual Air Show at Bétheny Plain: The Second Annual Air Show at Bétheny Plain, located near Rheims, France, was a groundbreaking aviation event that showcased the rapid technological advancement of early 20th-century aviation. Spectators witnessed an extraordinary spectacle of up to 15 airplanes simultaneously flying in the sky, described poetically as 'circling the track like a flight of great birds'. However, the event was tragically overshadowed by the fatal accident involving aviator Charles Wachter. During his performance, Wachter's Antoinette VII monoplane suffered a catastrophic wing collapse, causing him to plummet 500 feet (150 m) to his death, serving as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in early aviation.
04 Jul 1910 Historic Heavyweight Boxing Match: Jack Johnson vs Jim Jeffries: On July 4, 1910, in Reno, Nevada, African-American heavyweight champion Jack Johnson defeated white challenger Jim Jeffries in a landmark boxing match. Johnson knocked out Jeffries in the 15th round, marking a significant moment in sports and racial history. The fight was highly anticipated as a symbolic racial confrontation, with Jeffries dubbed the 'Great White Hope' who was expected to reclaim the championship for white boxers.
05 Jul 1910 Racial Violence Following Johnson-Jeffries Boxing Match: In the aftermath of the Johnson-Jeffries boxing bout, cities across America prohibited film exhibitions of the fight. The event triggered significant racial tensions, resulting in at least ten deaths and widespread violence. In Washington, authorities arrested 236 people, predominantly African-Americans. At Ogden, Utah, racial confrontation escalated when three white men attempted to harass boxer Jack Johnson at a railway station, but were prevented by his trainer.
06 Jul 1910 U.S. Government Wins Landmark Suit Against Bleached Flour Manufacturers: In a significant legal victory for consumer protection, the United States government successfully prosecuted its first lawsuit against flour manufacturers using bleaching processes under the recently enacted Pure Food and Drug Act. This landmark case represented an important step in regulating food production standards and ensuring public health safety by challenging industrial practices that potentially compromised food quality.
07 Jul 1910 Jack Johnson Fight Film Banned: In a stark demonstration of racial tensions in early 20th century America, the fight footage between Jack Johnson (the first African American heavyweight boxing champion) and Jim Jeffries was systematically banned across multiple states and cities. Within just three days of the fight, screenings were prohibited, particularly in the southern United States, reflecting the deep-seated racial prejudices of the era.
08 Jul 1910 Savarkar's Dramatic Escape Attempt: Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent Indian independence movement leader, attempted a daring escape from British custody while aboard the mail ship S.S. Morea. He swam to Marseilles, briefly reaching French jurisdiction, but was quickly recaptured by three men from the ship and returned to British detention.
09 Jul 1910 First Airplane Flight Exceeding One Mile Altitude: On July 9, 1910, aviation pioneer Walter Brookins made history by becoming the first pilot to successfully fly an airplane to an altitude of over one mile (1.6 kilometers). This remarkable achievement was a significant milestone in early aviation, demonstrating the rapid technological progress and expanding capabilities of aircraft during the pioneering era of flight.
10 Jul 1910 Death of Johann Galle, Neptune Discoverer: Johann Gottfried Galle, the renowned German astronomer who first observed Neptune through a telescope in 1846, passed away on July 10, 1910. His groundbreaking astronomical discovery marked a significant milestone in planetary exploration, confirming mathematical predictions by Urbain Le Verrier about the existence of an unknown planet beyond Uranus.
11 Jul 1910 Death of Charles Stewart Rolls in Aviation Accident: Charles Stewart Rolls, a pioneering British aviator and co-founder of the Rolls-Royce automobile company, tragically died during a flying competition in Bournemouth, Dorset. At just 33 years old, Rolls was participating in an aerial event when his French-built biplane crashed, marking one of the earliest fatalities in the nascent field of aviation. His death was a significant loss to the early aviation community, as Rolls was known for his adventurous spirit and contributions to both automotive and aeronautical engineering.
12 Jul 1910 Record-Breaking Rainfall in Cherrapunji, India: Cherrapunji, located in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, India, experienced an extraordinary meteorological event with the heaviest recorded rainfall in 24 hours, measuring an unprecedented 838 millimeters (33.0 inches). This extreme precipitation event highlighted the region's reputation as one of the wettest places on Earth.
13 Jul 1910 Fatal German Airship Disaster in Leichlingen: On July 13, 1910, a tragic aviation accident occurred when the German dirigible Erbslöh catastrophically failed during a test flight, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members. The airship was in the early stages of preparation for potential passenger service when a gasoline-powered engine explosion occurred at an altitude of 480 meters (1,570 ft) over the town of Leichlingen. An engineer's log, recovered from the incident, noted the ship's altitude just five minutes after takeoff, providing a chilling final record of the crew's final moments.
14 Jul 1910 Portuguese Naval Victory Against Pirates in Colowan: Portuguese colonial troops successfully defeated a significant pirate group after an intense two-day battle on the island of Colowan, located near Macao, a Portuguese colonial territory in China. This engagement demonstrated the Portuguese military's capability to protect its colonial interests and maritime trade routes in the region during the early 20th century.
15 Jul 1910 Alzheimer's Disease Named by Emil Kraepelin: In his seminal medical publication, Emil Kraepelin officially named the neurodegenerative disorder as 'Alzheimer's disease', recognizing the groundbreaking work of his colleague Alois Alzheimer in identifying and describing the condition.
16 Jul 1910 First Australian-Built Aircraft Takes Flight: John Robertson Duigan achieved a significant milestone in Australian aviation history by successfully flying the Duigan pusher biplane, which was the first aircraft constructed in Australia. This event marked an important moment in the country's technological and aerospace development.
17 Jul 1910 Uneventful Day in 1910: While no major historical events were recorded for July 17, 1910, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Daily life continued across the world, with people working, living, and experiencing their personal histories. The early 20th century was a period of significant global transformation, including technological advancements, social changes, and geopolitical shifts.
18 Jul 1910 Cy Young Achieves 500th Career Win: Major league baseball pitcher Cy Young reached a remarkable milestone by winning his 500th professional game, solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished pitchers in early 20th-century baseball. This achievement underscores Young's extraordinary durability and skill during the early years of professional baseball, when pitchers routinely completed entire games and had longer, more grueling careers.
19 Jul 1910 Lev Kamenev's Significant Political Speech in Russian Duma: Bolshevik theoretician Lev Kamenev delivered his first important speech in the Russian Duma, boldly expressing critical views and disapproval of the contemporary government. This speech marked an early moment in Kamenev's political career and highlighted the growing political dissent in pre-revolutionary Russia.
20 Jul 1910 Iowa Governor Indicted for Criminal Libel: Governor Beryl F. Carroll of Iowa was indicted by a grand jury on criminal libel charges, a significant legal and political event highlighting potential misconduct in state leadership.
21 Jul 1910 Death of Johan Peter Selmer, Norwegian Composer: Johan Peter Selmer, a prominent Norwegian composer and musical figure, died on July 21, 1910, at the age of 66. Selmer was known for his contributions to Norwegian classical music during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, helping to develop and promote the national musical identity of Norway during a period of cultural renaissance.
22 Jul 1910 Theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre: In a shocking art world event, Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece 'Mona Lisa' (La Giaconda) was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. This audacious theft would become one of the most famous art heists in history, capturing global attention and ultimately leading to the painting's recovery and increased worldwide recognition.
23 Jul 1910 Milan Tornado Catastrophe: On July 23, 1910, a devastating tornado struck the city of Milan, Italy, causing widespread destruction. The natural disaster claimed the lives of more than 60 people and resulted in millions of dollars in property damage, highlighting the destructive potential of severe weather events.
24 Jul 1910 Ottoman Empire Suppresses Albanian Revolt: The Ottoman Empire captures the city of Shkodër, effectively putting down the Albanian Revolt of 1910, demonstrating the empire's continued military control over its territories in the Balkans.
25 Jul 1910 Devastating Flash Flood in Diósd, Hungary: On July 25, 1910, a catastrophic flash flood struck the small Hungarian town of Diósd, causing rapid and destructive flooding along the Danube River. The sudden and intense downpour overwhelmed local drainage systems, leading to a tragic loss of life with at least 25 residents drowning in the unexpected deluge. The event highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities to extreme weather events and the unpredictable nature of localized meteorological phenomena.
26 Jul 1910 Stock Market Crash of 1910: On July 26, 1910, the New York Stock Exchange experienced a significant market downturn, with 110 out of 146 traded issues hitting record low prices for the year. This financial event signaled economic instability and potentially reflected broader economic challenges during the early 20th century.
27 Jul 1910 British Aviator Demonstrates Naval Air Vulnerability: On July 27, 1910, British aviator Claude Grahame-White conducted a groundbreaking demonstration of aerial military potential by flying his airplane over the Royal Navy fleet assembled at Mount's Bay. In a bold move, he deliberately buzzed the flagship of Admiral of the Fleet Sir William May, dramatically illustrating the significant defensive vulnerabilities of naval vessels against potential aerial attacks. This event was a pivotal moment in military aviation history, highlighting the emerging strategic importance of aircraft in naval warfare.
28 Jul 1910 First Flight of the Bristol Boxkite: The Bristol Boxkite, a pioneering British-manufactured aircraft produced by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, made its inaugural flight. This milestone represented a significant moment in early British aviation history, demonstrating the country's emerging capabilities in aeronautical engineering and design.
29 Jul 1910 Slocum Massacre: Racial Violence in Texas: The Slocum Massacre begins, a horrific two-day race riot in Texas where over 100 African Americans were brutally murdered by white residents, representing a deeply tragic episode of racial violence and systemic racism in early 20th century America.
30 Jul 1910 First Flight of the Bristol Boxkite: The Bristol Boxkite, a pioneering British manufactured airplane developed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, successfully completed its inaugural flight. This milestone represented a significant advancement in early 20th-century aviation technology and British aerospace engineering.
31 Jul 1910 Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen Arrested for Murder: Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen was arrested by Inspector Walter Dew of Scotland Yard for the murder of his wife, Belle Crippen, after being captured while attempting to flee to Canada aboard the SS Montrose. This high-profile case became a sensational criminal investigation that captured international attention and demonstrated early advances in transnational law enforcement.