Garry Davis, founder of the World Government of World Citizens and early proponent of a borderless world, died. His renunciation of U.S. citizenship to promote world peace became a notable activist statement.
đź“Ť Williston, Vermont, United States
The 2012 Summer Olympics officially opened in London with a globally acclaimed ceremony celebrating British culture. It was the third time London hosted the Games, a record for any city.
đź“Ť London, United Kingdom
Carlos Castaneda, Peruvian-American author famous for his series of books on shamanism and Yaqui mysticism, died. His works sparked debate over the boundary between anthropology and fiction.
đź“Ť Los Angeles, California, United States
James Mason, distinguished English actor known for roles in *A Star is Born*, *Lolita*, and *North by Northwest*, passed away. He was praised for his versatility and distinctive voice across decades of film.
đź“Ť Lausanne, Switzerland
Rexford Tugwell, U.S. economist and member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal 'Brain Trust,' died. He was instrumental in shaping agricultural and economic policy during the Great Depression.
đź“Ť Green Valley, Arizona, United States
NASA’s Apollo 15 Lunar Module, named Falcon, successfully landed on the Moon with astronauts David Scott and James Irwin, marking the fourth human moon landing and the first with a Lunar Roving Vehicle.
📍 Hadley–Apennine region, Moon
AntĂłnio de Oliveira Salazar, long-time authoritarian ruler of Portugal and architect of the Estado Novo regime, died. His rule left a lasting impact on Portuguese politics and colonial history.
đź“Ť Lisbon, Portugal
Frank Loesser, celebrated Broadway composer and lyricist behind musicals such as *Guys and Dolls* and *How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying*, died. His influence shaped postwar musical theater.
đź“Ť New York City, United States
Vincent Massey, Canada’s first native-born Governor General, died. He significantly promoted Canadian culture, arts, and national identity during the postwar era.
đź“Ť London, Ontario, Canada
The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed at Panmunjom, ceasing active combat in the Korean War. It established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), but no formal peace treaty was ever signed.
đź“Ť Panmunjom, Korean Demilitarized Zone
North Korea, China, and the United Nations Command signed an armistice to end fighting in the Korean War, halting one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Cold War era.
đź“Ť Panmunjom, Korean Demilitarized Zone
The signing of the Korean War armistice was broadcast to a global audience, signaling a halt in the first major Cold War conflict. The ceasefire reshaped East Asian geopolitics and U.S.–China relations.
đź“Ť Panmunjom, Korean Demilitarized Zone
Gertrude Stein, American avant-garde writer and art collector known for works like 'Tender Buttons' and her Paris salons, died. She was a central figure in literary modernism and friend to Hemingway and Picasso.
đź“Ť Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Antonio Machado, Spanish poet known for his deep reflections on time and Spanish identity, died in exile during the Spanish Civil War. His works remain central to Spanish literary heritage.
đź“Ť Collioure, France
Australia’s first licensed radio station, 2SB (later 2BL), began regular broadcasts in Sydney. This marked the official start of Australian radio, influencing national communication and culture.
đź“Ť Sydney, Australia
Otto von Bismarck, architect of German unification and the first Chancellor of the German Empire, died. His Realpolitik diplomacy reshaped Europe in the 19th century and influenced modern statecraft.
đź“Ť Friedrichsruh, Germany
William Lowndes Yancey, a prominent secessionist leader and advocate for slavery in the American South, died during the Civil War. He played a key role in the lead-up to the Confederacy's formation.
đź“Ť Montgomery, Alabama, United States
Giuseppe Piazzi, Italian astronomer and mathematician who discovered Ceres, the first known asteroid, died. His discovery helped expand understanding of the solar system and minor planetary bodies.
đź“Ť Naples, Italy
Tadeusz Kościuszko, a military engineer and national hero of Poland, Lithuania, and the United States, died. He fought in the American Revolutionary War and led the Kościuszko Uprising against Russian domination in Poland.
đź“Ť Solothurn, Switzerland
Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period, died in Leipzig. His music profoundly influenced Western classical traditions, including works like the Brandenburg Concertos and The Well-Tempered Clavier.
đź“Ť Leipzig, Germany