In History, Today on July 31

On July 31, 1498, Christopher Columbus, on his third voyage, became the first European to discover the island of Trinidad.

The Spanish Armada was sighted off the coast of England, leading to the Battle of Gravelines, where the English navy defeated the Spanish fleet.

Aurangzeb was proclaimed the Mughal Emperor of India, marking the beginning of his reign.

Daniel Defoe, the English writer, was placed in a pillory for seditious libel after publishing a pamphlet criticizing the government.

The Battle of Bloody Run took place during Pontiac's War, where British forces were ambushed by Native American warriors.

The first U.S. patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer.

The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, began during World War I, resulting in heavy casualties and a prolonged stalemate.

The Nazi Party becomes the largest party in the German parliament after winning 230 seats in the Reichstag elections.

Hermann Göring instructed Reinhard Heydrich to prepare a plan for the 'Final Solution to the Jewish Question,' marking a significant step in the Holocaust.

NASA's Ranger 7 spacecraft transmitted the first close-up photographs of the Moon's surface, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.

Black Tot Day: The British Royal Navy issued the last daily rum ration to sailors, ending a 300-year-old tradition.

The United States and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I), a landmark arms control agreement.

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej signed a new constitution, marking a significant step towards democratic reform in the country.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, aimed at improving corporate governance and accountability, is signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush.

Fidel Castro temporarily hands over power to his brother Raúl Castro due to health issues.

Operation Banner, the British Army's longest continuous operation, officially ends in Northern Ireland after 38 years.

Michael Phelps becomes the most decorated Olympian of all time, winning his 19th Olympic medal at the London 2012 Games.

The United Nations Security Council endorses the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.