On this day

31 July in history.

5 moments from 1790 to 2012: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

K2 (also known as Chogori ) from Broad Peak Base Camp

1954

K2 is climbed. Italian climbers Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli reached the top of K2, second only to Everest in height and one of the hardest mountains to climb.

Wikipedia: K2

Photo: Zacharie Grossen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

More from 31 July

  1. United States Patent and Trademark Office

    1790

    The first US patent

    Samuel Hopkins received the first patent issued by the United States, for a better way to make potash.

    Wikipedia: Samuel Hopkins (inventor)

    Photo: U.S. government / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Ranger 7

    1964

    Close-up pictures of the Moon

    Ranger 7 sent back thousands of close-up pictures before reaching the Moon's surface.

    Wikipedia: Ranger 7

    Photo: NASA Headquarters - GReatest Images of NASA (NASA-HQ-GRIN) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Lunar Roving Vehicle

    1971

    Driving on the Moon

    Apollo 15 astronauts drove the first Lunar Roving Vehicle across the Moon's surface.

    Wikipedia: Lunar Roving Vehicle

    Photo: NASA/Dave Scott; cropped by User:Bubba73 / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Michael Phelps

    2012

    Phelps sets the medal record

    Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic medal, more than anyone before him.

    Wikipedia: Michael Phelps

    Photo: Agência Brasil Fotografias / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.