What Happened on July 21

Books

2007 — Rowling's Final Potter Tale Sets 24-Hour Sales Record

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sold 15 million copies in its first day, making it the fastest-selling book in history.

J. K. Rowling, the creator of the boy wizard who has enchanted millions, saw the seventh and final installment of her series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fly off shelves at a record pace. Published at midnight, the book sold 15 million copies in its first 24 hours, making it the fastest-selling book in history, according to publisher figures. In the United States alone, 8.3 million copies were snapped up, while the United Kingdom accounted for 2.65 million. The Guinness World Record for most novels sold within 24 hours of release is now hers.

Rowling completed the manuscript in January at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, bringing an end to a literary phenomenon that has spanned a decade. To mark the launch, she held an all-night book signing at the Natural History Museum in London, where 1,700 guests chosen by ballot lined up for her signature. The event drew fans from across the globe, many in costume, eager to bid farewell to Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

Scholastic, the U.S. publisher, had shipped millions of copies in sealed boxes to bookstores nationwide, with retailers bracing for a weekend of frenzied sales. Rowling is scheduled to tour the United States in October, including a stop at Carnegie Hall in New York City, with tickets allocated by sweepstake.

• The novel sold 8.3 million copies in the US and 2.65 million in the UK within 24 hours of release.
• It holds the Guinness World Record for most novels sold within 24 hours of release.
• J. K. Rowling completed the novel in January 2007 at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.
• The launch was celebrated with an all-night book signing by Rowling at the Natural History Museum in London for 1,700 guests chosen by ballot.
• Rowling toured the US in October 2007, with an event at Carnegie Hall in New York City allocated by sweepstake.

World Affairs

1960 — Ceylon Woman Takes Oath as World's First

Sirimavo Bandaranaike, sworn in as prime minister of Ceylon, becomes the first democratically elected female head of government.

She is the first. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was sworn in as prime minister of Ceylon today, becoming the world's first democratically elected female head of government. The 44-year-old widow, who led her party to victory in July's general election, defeated Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake's United National Party. She also takes on the defence portfolio, making her the first woman in history to hold such a post.

Her opponents have dubbed her the 'Weeping Widow,' a reference to her succession of her assassinated husband, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, who was gunned down in 1959. Yet she has proved a formidable campaigner, rallying the rural masses with promises of nationalization and socialist reform. She will serve from 1960 to 1965, and she is expected to be a forceful presence on the world stage, breaking a barrier that has stood for millennia.

As chairperson of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, she has consolidated her authority, and she is expected to serve three terms as prime minister. Her victory is being hailed as a landmark for women everywhere, though she herself has said she is simply continuing her husband's work.

• Sirimavo Bandaranaike was elected prime minister of Ceylon in July 1960, defeating Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake's UNP.
• She was the first democratically elected female prime minister of a sovereign country, serving from 1960 to 1965.
• Bandaranaike also became the world's first female defence minister, holding that portfolio from 1960 to 1965.
• Her opponents dubbed her the 'Weeping Widow' after she succeeded her assassinated husband, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.
• She was chairperson of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party from 1960 to 1994 and served three terms as prime minister.

City Desk

1877 — Pittsburgh in Ruins After Rioters Burn Railroad Yards

An estimated 61 people, including women and children, were killed as strikers burned the Union Depot and 38 other buildings.

Much of central Pittsburgh lies in ashes tonight after rioters, inflamed by the railroad strike, burned and looted the city's railroad yards. The Union Depot and 38 other buildings at the Pennsylvania Railroad yards were put to the torch, and more than 120 locomotives and more than 1,200 rail cars were destroyed. An estimated 61 people, including women and children, were killed in the rioting, which has been the most violent and destructive of any city in the Great Strike.

Property losses are estimated at from $2 to $5 million, according to the railroad and a state report. The rioting erupted after strikers clashed with militia, and the mob soon turned to wholesale destruction. Fresh troops are expected to arrive on July 28, and it is hoped that peace will be restored within two days, allowing trains to resume. The city's commercial district is a scene of desolation, with smoke still rising from the ruins.

• An estimated 61 people, including women and children, were killed in the Pittsburgh riots.
• Strikers burned the Union Depot and 38 other buildings at the Pennsylvania Railroad yards.
• More than 120 locomotives and more than 1,200 rail cars were destroyed in Pittsburgh.
• Estimates of property losses ranged from $2 to $5 million, according to the railroad and a state report.
• Fresh troops arrived in Pittsburgh on July 28, and within two days peace was restored and trains resumed.

Courts

1925 — Scopes Found Guilty in Evolution Trial

John T. Scopes, the Dayton biology teacher, was fined $100 for violating the Butler Act by teaching evolution.

In the sweltering courtroom at Dayton, the jury returned its verdict: guilty. John T. Scopes, the high school biology teacher, was fined $100 for violating Tennessee's Butler Act, which forbids the teaching of human evolution. The trial, the first in American history to be nationally broadcast by radio, has drawn worldwide attention.

Scopes, who was defended by Clarence Darrow and a battery of lawyers, was prosecuted by Tom Stewart, with William Jennings Bryan assisting. Bryan had spoken at Scopes' commencement.

• Scopes was fined $100 (equivalent to $1,836 in 2025) after being found guilty on July 21, 1925.
• The trial was deliberately staged by Dayton businessmen, including George Rappleyea, to attract publicity to the town.
• Scopes later admitted to reporter William Kinsey Hutchinson that he had skipped the evolution lesson and never violated the law.
• The defense team included Clarence Darrow, Dudley Field Malone, John Neal, Arthur Garfield Hays, and Frank McElwee.
• The prosecution was led by Tom Stewart and included William Jennings Bryan, who had spoken at Scopes' high school commencement.

From the Provinces

365 — Sea Recedes, Cities Fall: Crete and Alexandria Smitten

A great earthquake near Crete loosed a wave that wrecked the eastern Mediterranean, devastating its chief cities.

The eastern Mediterranean lies in ruin. A great earthquake near Crete loosed a wave that smote the coasts, and the cities of Crete and Alexandria are devastated. Italy, Greece, and Palestine have also felt the blow, and the sea, it is said, withdrew and then returned with fury. In Alexandria, the waters swept over the quays and into the lower quarters, and many ships were dashed against the wharves. On Crete, whole towns are thrown down, and the ruins of Apollonia, long a port of the island, now lie half drowned beneath the waves. The temples and the walls of the old cities are broken, and the folk go about mourning their dead. The earth shook, and the sea rose, and the order of the world seemed undone. In the days since, the reports reaching this office speak of fires and of the cries of the injured. The harbours are choked with wreckage, and the merchants can no longer put to sea. The priests have been called upon to make offerings, for the omens were dire. The damage to the granaries and the aqueducts will be felt for many seasons, and the rulers of the affected lands are said to be sending aid. But the full count of the dead is not yet known, for the roads are broken and the messengers are slow.

• The earthquake and tsunami devastated Crete and Alexandria.
• The earthquake and tsunami also affected Italy, Greece, and Palestine.

Earthquake Desk

1952 — Kern County Quake Kills 12, Damage Set at $60 Million

A 7.3-magnitude quake at 4:52 a.m. killed 12 and caused $60 million in damage.

In the annals of California's seismic history, this morning's shock will hold a grim place. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck the southern San Joaquin Valley at 4:52 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, killing 12 and injuring hundreds. Property damage is estimated at $60 million.

• The 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck at 4:52 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, killing 12 and injuring hundreds.
• Property damage was estimated at $60 million, with the town of Tehachapi suffering the greatest loss of life.
• The earthquake occurred on the White Wolf Fault near Wheeler Ridge and was the strongest in California since 1906.
• Six aftershocks of magnitude 5 or greater struck on the same day; a M5.8 aftershock on August 22 killed two more and added $10 million in damage.
• Fearing aftershocks, many slept outdoors, leading to an outbreak of encephalitis from mosquito-borne viruses.

City Chronicle

1378 — Wool Workers Seize Florence, Name Michele di Lando

Armed wool workers seize Florence, install Michele di Lando as gonfaloniere, and hang the executioner.

Michele di Lando, a wool carder, now holds the highest office in Florence, gonfaloniere of justice, after thousands of armed wool workers besieged the Signoria this day and took the government by force. The rebels hanged the public executioner by his feet before the Palazzo Vecchio.

• On July 21, 1378, thousands of armed wool workers besieged the Signoria and hanged the public executioner by his feet in front of the Palazzo Vecchio.
• The rebels appointed wool carder Michele di Lando as gonfaloniere of justice, the city's highest executive office.
• They forced the Signoria to create three new guilds, granting political representation to previously unrepresented labourers.
• The three new guilds had a total membership of roughly 13,000 men, compared to 4,000-5,000 in the existing twenty-one guilds.
• The rebellion was sparked after the Signoria quadrupled the fee for guild admittance, turning the Sotto posti into opponents.

Hong Kong Desk

2019 — 45 Injured as White-Clad Mob Attacks Protesters in Yuen Long

Suspected triad members storm Yuen Long station as police stay away, dealing a blow to public confidence.

Forty-five people were injured in Yuen Long tonight when white-clad suspected triad members indiscriminately attacked people inside the station, leaving the platform strewn with the wounded. Police were absent during the attack, and local police stations were shuttered, prompting suspicion that the assault was coordinated with the force.

• On 21 July 2019, white-clad suspected triad members indiscriminately attacked people inside Yuen Long station.
• Police were absent during the Yuen Long attack, and local police stations were shuttered.
• The Yuen Long attack was seen as a turning point, crippling public confidence in the police.
• Suspicion arose that the Yuen Long attack was coordinated with police due to their absence.
• The attack occurred while a standoff between protesters and police was taking place on Hong Kong Island.

Local Front

1918 — German U-boat Shells Nauset Beach

Imperial German U-boat attacks barges and aircraft near Orleans, Massachusetts, on July 21, 1918.

An Imperial German Navy U-boat opened fire on a small convoy of barges and defending aircraft near Orleans, Massachusetts, on July 21, 1918. The shelling struck Nauset Beach, the only U.S. soil hit by foreign fire in the war.

• The German submarine shelled Nauset Beach, the only U.S. site hit by foreign munitions during World War I.
• The shells were apparently aimed at barges close off shore near Orleans, Massachusetts.
• This was the first time a foreign nation had fired artillery on U.S. soil since the Siege of Fort Texas in 1848.
• The attack occurred on July 21, 1918, when an Imperial German Navy U-boat opened fire on a small convoy of barges and defending aircraft.

Foreign Desk

1946 — Mob Lynches Bolivian President, Hangs Body in La Paz Streets

Gualberto Villarroel killed by rioters after weeks of unrest; junta of strikers takes interim control.

The body of President Gualberto Villarroel hung from a lamppost in La Paz's Plaza Murillo this afternoon, desecrated by a mob that had stormed the Palacio Quemado after weeks of unrest. Rioters lynched the president and dragged his corpse through the streets before stringing it up publicly.

Earlier, MNR deputy Paz Estenssoro ordered the palace phones cut from the military, saying, "It doesn't matter, screw them. Let's go." The violence followed a teachers' strike on July 8 for a pay raise from $12.50 to $20 a month, and police gunfire on July 10 that killed three and wounded eleven in the same plaza.

• Teachers in La Paz went on strike on 8 July 1946 demanding a salary increase from $12.50 to $20 a month.
• On 10 July, police dispersed student protests in Plaza Murillo with rifle and machine gun fire, leaving 3 dead and 11 wounded.
• On 21 July, MNR deputy Paz Estenssoro ordered cutting off Palacio Quemado phones from the military, saying 'It doesn't matter, screw them. Let's go.'
• President Gualberto Villarroel was lynched and hanged on 21 July 1946, ending weeks of unrest in La Paz.
• A junta of striking groups chaired by independent magistrates took interim control after Villarroel's death.

Science Desk

1959 — First Mathematical Olympiad Opens in Romania

Seven Warsaw Pact nations sent teams to the first International Mathematical Olympiad, where contestants under 20 solve six problems for up to 42 points.

The first International Mathematical Olympiad opened in Romania, launching a contest that will pit the brightest pre-university minds of the Eastern Bloc against each other. Seven Warsaw Pact nations sent teams to compete in the inaugural event, held over two days with six problems total. Each contestant gets four-and-a-half hours daily to solve three problems, each worth 7 points for a maximum of 42. Calculators are banned. Awards go to roughly the top 50 percent of individual scorers, with no official team standings. Contestants must be under 20 and not enrolled at any university. The problems demand pure reasoning, not computation.

• The first IMO was held in Romania in 1959, initially for eastern European member countries of the Warsaw Pact.
• The competition consists of six problems held over two consecutive days, with three problems each day.
• Contestants have four-and-a-half hours each day to solve three problems, each worth 7 points for a maximum total of 42 points.
• Calculators are banned, and protractors were banned relatively recently.
• Awards are given to approximately the top-scoring 50% of individual contestants, with no official team recognition.