Major Events of July 1924: 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 1924 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of July 1924: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jul 1924 Full-Time Airmail Service Begins: A fleet of airplanes now operate continuously to transport mail, dramatically reducing transcontinental mail delivery time from approximately 70 hours to just 35 hours between New York and San Francisco.
02 Jul 1924 Marconi's Breakthrough in Wireless Transmission: On July 2, 1924, renowned inventor Guglielmo Marconi presented a groundbreaking lecture at the Royal Society of Arts in London, detailing his innovative beam system of short-wave wireless transmission. Marconi explained that his new technology could transmit significantly more words per day between distant countries, and do so more economically, potentially leading to a substantial reduction in global telegraphic communication rates.
04 Jul 1924 Creation of the Caesar Salad in Tijuana: On July 4th, 1924, Italian-born restaurateur Caesar Cardini invented the now-famous Caesar salad at his restaurant, Caesar's, located in Tijuana, Mexico. The creation was inspired by the bustling holiday weekend when many Americans crossed the border to legally purchase alcohol during Prohibition. Cardini improvised the dish using ingredients he had on hand, creating a culinary innovation that would become a global sensation.
05 Jul 1924 1924 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony: The opening ceremonies of the VIII Summer Olympiad were conducted at Colombes Stadium in Paris, France. This marked an important moment in international sports, bringing together athletes from around the world in a celebration of athletic competition and international cooperation.
06 Jul 1924 Mexican Presidential Election of 1924: A presidential election was held in Mexico, with Plutarco Elías Calles of the Partido Laborista Mexicano winning a decisive victory. Calles secured 84.1% of the vote, receiving 1,340,634 votes, while his opponent Angel Flores garnered 252,599 votes (15.9%), signaling a strong mandate for Calles.
07 Jul 1924 Tragedy in the Coolidge Family: Calvin Coolidge Jr., the 16-year-old son of President Calvin Coolidge, passes away at 10:30 in the morning, a deeply personal tragedy for the presidential family that would profoundly affect the president.
08 Jul 1924 1924 Democratic National Convention Deadlock: The 1924 Democratic National Convention was marked by intense political division and prolonged balloting between two leading candidates: Alfred E. Smith and William G. McAdoo. The convention was characterized by a contentious and protracted nomination process, with delegates locked in a fierce battle. After 93 ballots, Smith attempted a strategic compromise by offering to withdraw if McAdoo would do the same, but McAdoo rejected the proposal. On the 94th ballot, McAdoo briefly took the lead with 395 votes compared to Smith's 364.5, with John W. Davis emerging as a potential compromise candidate. The marathon session continued into the early morning hours, adjourning at 4:00 a.m., highlighting the deep internal divisions within the Democratic Party.
09 Jul 1924 Panama Receives Diplomatic Recognition from Colombia: On July 9, 1924, Colombia officially extended diplomatic recognition to Panama, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. This recognition came more than two decades after Panama's secession from Colombia in 1903, a separation that was notably facilitated by the United States' strategic interests in the region. The diplomatic acknowledgment represented a crucial step in healing historical tensions and normalizing bilateral relations following the controversial separation.
10 Jul 1924 Paavo Nurmi's Olympic Double Victory: Finnish long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi achieved an extraordinary feat at the 1924 Paris Olympics by winning both the 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter races within just one hour, demonstrating remarkable endurance and athletic prowess. Known as the 'Flying Finn', Nurmi's performance is considered one of the most impressive displays of athletic skill in Olympic history.
11 Jul 1924 World Energy Council Founding: The World Energy Council was established during a landmark conference in London, with over 1,700 delegates attending, marking a significant moment in global energy collaboration and policy development.
12 Jul 1924 Kleenex Trademark Application Filed: On July 12, 1924, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation submitted its original trademark application for Kleenex, a disposable facial tissue that would revolutionize personal hygiene and become a household name. This marked a significant moment in consumer product branding and personal care innovation.
13 Jul 1924 Dominican Republic Presidential Inauguration: Horacio Vasquez is inaugurated as president of the Dominican Republic, officially marking the end of the United States' administrative control of the island. This event signifies an important moment of political sovereignty and self-governance for the Dominican Republic.
14 Jul 1924 Nobel Prize Recipient James W. Black Born: James W. Black, a renowned Scottish pharmacologist who would later become a Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, was recognized on this date. Black is known for groundbreaking work in pharmacology, particularly in developing beta-blockers and drugs that revolutionized treatment of heart disease and ulcers.
15 Jul 1924 Release of Éamon de Valera from Prison: The Irish Free State released Éamon de Valera and other political prisoners, marking a significant moment in Irish political history. This event signaled a potential easing of tensions and a step towards reconciliation in the aftermath of the Irish Civil War.
16 Jul 1924 London Conference on German Reparations: An international conference convened in London to discuss and negotiate Germany's post-World War I reparation payments, a critical economic and diplomatic issue of the interwar period. Representatives from major European powers sought to establish a sustainable framework for Germany's financial obligations following the Treaty of Versailles.
17 Jul 1924 Australia Introduces Compulsory Voting: On July 17, 1924, Australia made a groundbreaking democratic reform by passing the Commonwealth Electoral (Compulsory Voting) Act 1924. Proposed by Tasmanian Nationalist senator Herbert Payne, this legislation mandated voting in federal elections, making Australia one of the first nations to implement mandatory electoral participation.
18 Jul 1924 Tragic Death of U.S. Vice Consul Robert Imbrie in Tehran: U.S. Vice Consul Robert Imbrie was brutally murdered by an angry mob in Tehran, Iran. The incident occurred after Imbrie photographed a well in the city's bazaar that was believed to be the site of a miracle. Local tensions escalated when some members of the crowd accused him of poisoning the well. Despite being initially beaten and taken to a hospital, the mob followed and continued their assault, ultimately leading to Imbrie's death. This event highlighted the volatile cultural and political tensions in Iran during the early 20th century.
19 Jul 1924 Napalpí Massacre in Argentina: On July 19, 1924, a tragic and brutal massacre occurred in the Napalpí region of Argentina, where approximately 400 indigenous Toba people were systematically killed by Argentine police and local ranchers. This event represents a horrific example of state-sanctioned violence against indigenous populations, highlighting the systemic discrimination and brutality faced by native communities during this period.
20 Jul 1924 Diplomatic Crisis in Persia Following Vice-Consul's Murder: Tensions escalate in Tehran, Persia (Iran) when a religious mob, inflamed by unfounded rumors of poisoning, kills American vice-consul Robert Imbrie. The incident leads to the imposition of martial law, highlighting the volatile religious and political climate of the time.
23 Jul 1924 Washington State Flag Officially Unveiled: On July 23, 1924, the first official flag of the state of Washington was ceremonially unveiled at the Washington Secretary of State's office in Olympia. This significant moment marked an important milestone in the state's visual representation and symbolic identity, providing a unique emblem that would represent Washington's heritage and spirit.
24 Jul 1924 Founding of FIDE - World Chess Federation: On July 24, 1924, the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), or World Chess Federation, was officially established in Paris, France. This international organization would go on to become the primary governing body for competitive chess worldwide, standardizing rules, organizing global championships, and promoting chess as a professional and intellectual sport.
25 Jul 1924 Greece Expels Armenian Population: On July 25, 1924, the Greek government announced the mass expulsion of approximately 50,000 Armenians from its territory. This event was part of the broader population exchanges and ethnic tensions following the Greco-Turkish War and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The expulsion represented a significant demographic and humanitarian crisis for the Armenian community, forcing them to leave their established homes and communities.
27 Jul 1924 VIII Olympic Games Close in Paris: The Games of the VIII Olympiad concluded in Paris, France, marking the end of a significant international sporting event. These Olympics were notable for being the first truly modern Olympic Games, featuring increased international participation and setting new standards for athletic competition.
28 Jul 1924 Brazilian Army Rebel Withdrawal from São Paulo: In a strategic and surprising move, rebels affiliated with the Brazilian Army quietly withdrew from São Paulo on July 28, 1924. The rebels managed to evacuate their position for five hours without detection by government forces, demonstrating a remarkable level of stealth and tactical planning. This event was part of the broader São Paulo Civil War, a significant uprising against the Brazilian government during the 1920s.
29 Jul 1924 Paul Runyan Wins PGA Golf Championship: Paul Runyan emerged victorious in the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Golf Championship on July 29, 1924, marking a significant milestone in his early professional golf career. This win would help establish Runyan as a notable golfer of his era, known for his exceptional short game skills.
30 Jul 1924 Leopold and Loeb Murder Trial Concludes: On July 30, 1924, the prosecution concluded its case in the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder trial. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy University of Chicago students, were charged with the brutal murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks in a shocking crime that captured national attention. The defendants, who believed they could commit the perfect murder, were ultimately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional 99 years. While Leopold was eventually paroled in 1958, Loeb met a violent end when he was murdered in a prison shower room in January 1936, marking a tragic conclusion to one of the most sensational criminal cases of the early 20th century.
31 Jul 1924 Australia Introduces Compulsory Voting: On July 31, 1924, the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1924 was given royal assent by King George V, establishing a groundbreaking democratic reform that mandated compulsory voting for all eligible Australian citizens in national elections. This landmark legislation made Australia one of the first modern democracies to require citizens to participate in the electoral process, with potential fines for those who do not vote without a valid reason.