31 July
What happened today in history?
- 1588 – Spanish Armada spotted off the coast of England.
- 1956 – Jim Laker becomes the first person to take all 10 wickets in a cricket Test match innings.
- 2012 – Michael Phelps takes his tally of Olympic medals to 22 – the highest total ever won by one person.
Who was born today?
- 1929 – Lynne Reid Banks – British writer (The Indian in the Cupboard).
- 1962 – Wesley Snipes – US actor (Blade, White Men Can’t Jump).
- 1965 – J. K. Rowling – British novelist (Harry Potter).
Who died today?
- 2009 – Bobby Robson – English footballer and manager.
- 2012 – Gore Vidal – American writer.
