Friday, July 31st. Day 212 of 2026
Happy Avocado Day !
1790: The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process
1932: The Nazi Party wins over 38 percent of Germany’s votes in the general election
1948: New York International Airport (later renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport) is dedicated
1971: Apollo 15 astronauts become ride the lunar rover on the moon
1988: Last Playboy Club closes in Lansing, Michigan
2006: In Cuba, Fidel Castro hands over power to his brother Raúl
2007: The presence of the British Army in Northern Ireland comes to an end
2012: Swimmer Michael Phelps becomes the greatest medal winner in Olympic history (19 overall, 15 gold)
2022: Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who helps plan the 9/11 attacks, is killed in a CIA drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan
News: Resident located after leaving Taylorsville Nursing and Rehab facility…Person in interest named in case of missing Hickory woman…Job Fair today in Alexander County…Ribbon Cutting and Open House for renovated building in uptown Taylorsville today…Rabies case confirmed in Caldwell County
Weather: Sunny and 85-87 today. Showers are likely later in weekend
Sports: Cougar ACHS Soccer participated in Statesville Jamboree on Saturday… Football Season Kicks Off three-weeks from tonight…More bad news from Panthers camp…Braves rally to win…MLB Trade Deadline is Monday
Happy Birthday: Lobo, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Mark Cuban, Wesley Snipes, J. K. Rowling, Dean Cain, Zac Brown, Kyle Larson
A Town has been abandoned https://nypost.com/2026/07/31/us-news/colorado-town-hartman-abandoned-after-all-public-officials-resign-drinking-water-ruled-health-hazard/
Word of the Day: anthropoid [an-thruh-poid] resembling man or ape, belonging or pertaining to the group of primates characterized by a relatively flat face, dry nose, small immobile ears, and forward-facing eyes. “She insulted him by saying he was barely an anthropoid.”
Quote of the Day: “Half of being smart is knowing what you are dumb about.”… Solomon Short