First Manned Flight to Land on the Moon July 16, 1969 Apollo 11 is launched, landing on the Moon four days later. Neil Armstrong became the first person to step onto the lunar surface six hours after landing on July 21, with Buzz Aldrin following him shortly thereafter. Aldrin would later joke that while Armstrong was ...

Edsel July 15, 1957 The first official day of production of the Edsel, the automobile that would come to symbolize failure in popular culture.

Storming of the Bastille July 14, 1789 The Bastille prison in Paris is attacked by a mob demanding weapons and the release of political prisoners, during the early days of the French Revolution. July 14 is celebrated as Bastille Day.

New York City Blackout July 13, 1977 Lightning strikes send millions of NYC residents into darkness. 4,500 people were arrested and $61 million of damage occurred in the ensuing riots.

July 8, 1971 The iconic Coca-Cola television ad "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" premieres. The radio version of the ad had aired the previous February. The radio version was such a hit, that radio listeners called in and asked to hear the commercial, enticing Coca-Cola to do a TV version. After the TV ad, ...