Today is July 30, and this one’s packed with invention, adventure, sports, and a little scandal. From insulin breakthroughs and paperback books to World Cup glory and leaked dragons… Let’s dive into the stories that shaped this unforgettable day.
🏁 1908 – The Great Race Ends in Paris
We start in 1908 — with the finish line of one of the longest and wildest races in history. The New York to Paris Auto Race came to a close after more than 22,000 miles across three continents. Only three teams made it. One even shipped their car across the Bering Strait! It wasn’t just a race — it was proof that cars could conquer the globe.
Would you have joined a race like this in 1908? Or tapped out somewhere in Siberia?
🛩️ 1909 – Wright Brothers Deliver First Military Plane
Just a year later, the Wright Brothers took another historic leap. On this day in 1909, they delivered the first military airplane to the U.S. Army. It flew for over an hour — and launched the age of aerial warfare. From bicycle shop to battlefield… the sky was no longer the limit.
💉 1921 – Insulin Isolated for the First Time
Medical history was made in Toronto. Frederick Banting and Charles Best successfully isolated insulin, giving hope to millions with diabetes. Before this, the disease was basically a death sentence. Their work earned a Nobel Prize — and saved countless lives.
Do you or someone you love rely on insulin today? This moment may have changed everything.
🎞️ 1928 – First Amateur Color Film Shown
In 1928, Kodak founder George Eastman showed off the world’s first amateur color motion pictures — to none other than Thomas Edison. Before this, home movies were black-and-white flickers. Now, color was coming… and it was dazzling.
🎬 Imagine seeing your childhood memories in color for the very first time!
⚽ 1930 – The First FIFA World Cup Final
We kick off the world’s favorite game in Montevideo, Uruguay. On this day in 1930, the very first FIFA World Cup Final was played — and Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2. There were homemade jerseys, muddy fields, and wild celebrations. That victory put Uruguay on the global sports map — and the World Cup on its path to legend.
What’s your favorite World Cup moment of all time?
📚 1935 – Paperback Books Hit the Shelves
Books went portable on this day thanks to Penguin Books. In 1935, they launched the first mass-market paperback — affordable, accessible, and perfect for everyday readers. Literature left the library and hit the subway, the beach, and your back pocket.
Who says great ideas can’t fit in your palm?
🇺🇸 1956 – “In God We Trust” Becomes U.S. Motto
In the heat of the Cold War, the U.S. adopted a new official motto: “In God We Trust.” It replaced the Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum, aiming to reflect the nation’s spiritual values during tense times. A motto might seem symbolic… but it often reveals the heart of the era.
🏆 1966 – England Wins the World Cup
In London’s Wembley Stadium, the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final reached a fever pitch. England defeated West Germany 4–2 in extra time. It remains their only World Cup win — and it’s still a national obsession.
“Some people are on the pitch… they think it’s all over!”
And for England — it was just beginning.
📜 2013 – Chelsea Manning Convicted
In a moment that sparked global headlines, Chelsea Manning — formerly Bradley Manning — was convicted on 17 charges of espionage. She had leaked classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks. To some, she was a whistleblower. To others, a traitor. Either way, the digital age of leaks had arrived.
📺 2017 – Game of Thrones Scripts Leaked
Even dragons couldn’t escape hackers. In 2017, HBO suffered a massive data breach. Stolen scripts and episodes from Game of Thrones were leaked online — sending fans (and executives) into a frenzy. Spoilers ran wild… and cybersecurity took center stage.
Were you spoiled before the finale? Or did you dodge the leaks?
🎂 Famous Birthdays on July 30
- 1947 — Arnold Schwarzenegger — Bodybuilder, action star, and California’s “Governator.”
- 1960 — Richard Linklater — Director of Boyhood and Before Sunrise.
- 1961 — Laurence Fishburne — Morpheus in The Matrix, and so much more.
- 1963 — Lisa Kudrow — Our favorite quirky friend, Phoebe Buffay.
- 1970 — Christopher Nolan — Director of Inception, Oppenheimer, and The Dark Knight trilogy.
- 1974 — Hilary Swank — Two-time Oscar winner for Million Dollar Baby and Boys Don’t Cry.
⚰️ Notable Deaths on July 30
- 1992 — Joe Shuster — Canadian co-creator of Superman.
- 1997 — Bao Dai — The last emperor of Vietnam.
- 2007 — Ingmar Bergman — Swedish filmmaker behind The Seventh Seal and Persona.
💍 Weddings & Divorces on July 30
- 2004 — Nicolas Cage married Alice Kim — who was 20 years his junior.
- 2007 — Britney Spears officially divorced Kevin Federline.
And that wraps up our slice of July 30! From football victories and film revolutions to paperback books and password breaches — this day had it all.