July 28: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, triggering a chain reaction that plunged the entire globe into World War I.
About July 28
July 28 is a day of seismic shifts in world history, none more devastating than the 1914 declaration of war by Austria-Hungary against Serbia. This single announcement, culminating the tense July Crisis, officially ignited the Great War, a conflict that would redraw borders and claim millions of lives across the globe.
Yet this date also marks profound milestones in liberation and civil rights. In 1821, General José de San Martín formally proclaimed Peru's independence from Spanish rule, a moment still celebrated today as Fiestas Patrias. Decades later in 1868, the United States certified the 14th Amendment, establishing birthright citizenship and guaranteeing due process—a cornerstone of American civil rights. And in a stark contrast to those strides, 1932 saw President Herbert Hoover order the U.S. Army to forcibly evict desperate World War I veterans, known as the Bonus Army, who had gathered in Washington to demand early payment of service bonuses.
The day also shines with cultural and athletic triumphs. The 1984 Summer Olympics opened in Los Angeles to widespread international celebration, while the 1939 discovery of the magnificent Sutton Hoo helmet gave the world a breathtaking glimpse into Anglo-Saxon England. It is a date that reminds us how a single summer day can hold the weight of empires, the birth of nations, and the enduring human spirit.
Holidays & Observances on July 28
- Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval (Canada)
- Fiestas Patrias, celebrates the independence of Peru from Spain by General José de San Martín in 1821.
- Liberation Day (San Marino)
- Ólavsøka Eve (Faroe Islands)
- World Hepatitis Day
Fun & National Days on July 28
- National Hamburger Day — Fire up the grill and stack your favorite toppings high to honor America's most beloved handheld meal.
- World Nature Conservation Day — Take a moment to appreciate the Earth and commit to small, daily actions that protect our planet's fragile ecosystems.
- National Waterpark Day — Grab your swimsuit and plunge down thrilling slides or float lazily along a river to beat the summer heat.
- Buffalo Soldiers Day — Reflect on the bravery and legacy of the African American regiments who served valiantly on the western frontier.
- National Milk Chocolate Day — Treat yourself to a velvety, creamy bar of milk chocolate and let a little sweetness melt the day's stress away.
- National Soccer Day — Lace up your cleats, grab a ball, and hit the pitch to celebrate the world's most popular and beautiful game.
On This Day in History
- 1402 — Timur's Timurid forces decisively defeated Sultan Bayezid I's Ottoman army at the Battle of Ankara, shifting the balance of power in the region.
- 1794 — French Revolutionary leaders Maximilien Robespierre and Louis Antoine de Saint-Just met their end at the guillotine in Paris, ending the Reign of Terror.
- 1821 — General José de San Martín officially declared Peru's independence from Spain, a pivotal moment in South America's fight for freedom.
- 1866 — At just 18 years old, Vinnie Ream became the youngest and first female artist to receive a U.S. government commission, creating a statue of Abraham Lincoln.
- 1868 — The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was certified, establishing birthright citizenship and guaranteeing due process under the law.
- 1896 — The city of Miami was officially incorporated, setting the stage for its explosive growth into a major international metropolitan hub.
- 1914 — Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, transforming the July Crisis into the devastating global conflict known as World War I.
- 1932 — President Herbert Hoover ordered the U.S. Army to forcibly evict the Bonus Army, a gathering of World War I veterans demanding bonus payments.
- 1939 — Archaeologists discovered the iconic Sutton Hoo helmet, offering an unprecedented and stunning glimpse into early Anglo-Saxon England.
- 1976 — A massive earthquake flattened the Chinese city of Tangshan, resulting in over 242,000 deaths and marking one of the deadliest disasters of the century.
- 1984 — The Games of the XXIII Olympiad officially opened in Los Angeles, marking a triumphant return for the United States to the global sporting stage.
- 2005 — The Provisional Irish Republican Army formally ended its thirty-year armed campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland, pivoting to peaceful politics.
Famous Birthdays on July 28
- 1866 — Beatrix Potter, English writer and illustrator whose beloved children's books, featuring Peter Rabbit, became timeless classics.
- 1887 — Marcel Duchamp, French-American painter and sculptor whose radical readymades redefined modern art and challenged traditional aesthetics.
- 1929 — Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, American journalist and socialite who served as an iconic First Lady, captivating the world with her elegance.
- 1945 — Jim Davis, American cartoonist who created Garfield, the lasagna-loving comic strip cat syndicated in newspapers worldwide.
- 1952 — Vajiralongkorn, King of Thailand who ascended the throne in 2016, continuing the Chakri dynasty as a prominent monarch.
- 1954 — Hugo Chávez, Venezuelan colonel and politician who served as President, implementing sweeping socialist reforms before his death.
- 1969 — Alexis Arquette, American actress and transgender activist who appeared in numerous films and championed LGBTQ+ visibility.
- 1974 — Alexis Tsipras, Greek politician who served as Prime Minister during the country's severe debt crisis, leading the left-wing Syriza party.
- 1977 — Manu Ginóbili, Argentinian basketball legend who won four NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal with his electrifying play.
- 1993 — Harry Kane, English footballer and captain who ranks among the world's top strikers, known for his prolific goal-scoring.