30 July 1197

A Wednesday in history

Weekday

Wednesday

Season

Summer (N. Hemisphere)

Century

12th century

Records

351

  1. 2023

    In Pakistan, IS–KP kill over 60 people in a suicide bombing at a political rally in Khar.

    Source
  2. 2018

    Emmerson Mnangagwa (pictured) was elected to his first full term as president, having served as leader since the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état.

    Source
  3. 2014

    More than 150 people died after heavy rains triggered a landslide in the village of Malin in Maharashtra, India.

    Source
  4. 2012

    A train fire killed 32 passengers and injured 27 on the Tamil Nadu Express in Andhra Pradesh, India.

    Source
  5. 2006

    Lebanon War: The Israeli Air Force attacked a three-story building near the Lebanese village of Qana, killing at least 28 civilians, including 16 children.

    Source
  6. 1990

    British Conservative member of Parliament Ian Gow was killed outside his home in a car bombing by the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

    Source
  7. 1981

    Amid a widespread economic crisis and food shortages in Poland, up to 50,000 people, mostly women and children, took part in the largest of nationwide hunger demonstrations in Łódź.

    Source
  8. 1975

    American labor-union leader Jimmy Hoffa disappeared after last being seen outside a restaurant near Detroit.

    Source
  9. 1966

    In London, the England national football team won the FIFA World Cup, winning the final against West Germany 4–2 after extra time.

    Source
  10. 1950

    At the height of a political crisis known as the royal question, four workers were shot dead by the Belgian Gendarmerie at a strike in Grâce-Berleur.

    Source
  11. 1930

    In Montevideo, the Uruguay national football team (team pictured) won the inaugural FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final.

    Source
  12. 1916

    World War I: German agents sabotaged U.S.-made munitions in New York Harbor that were to be supplied to the Allies.

    Source
  13. 1871

    The boiler of the Staten Island Ferry Westfield II exploded at South Ferry in New York City, killing at least 45 people.

    Source
  14. 1865

    Off the coast of Crescent City, California, the steamer Brother Jonathan struck an uncharted rock and sank, killing 225 people; its cargo of gold coins was not retrieved until 1996.

    Source
  15. 1811

    Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (depicted), a leader of the Mexican War of Independence, was executed by Spanish forces in Chihuahua City, Mexico.

    Source
  16. 1724

    Bach's chorale cantata Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält, a paraphrase of Psalm 124 based on a 1524 hymn by Justus Jonas, was first performed in Leipzig.

    Source

Photo archive

24 historic images from this day — tap to open the gallery.

What was life like?

Prices, jobs, food, music and everyday routine — the world as it felt to live in.

Sources & fact check

Every claim is traced to primary sources, archives, universities and the press — with an explicit confidence rating. Dossiers are generated once and cached permanently.