Today is Thursday, July 7, the 188th day of 2011. There are 177 days left in the year.

1768 ― Firm of Johann Buddenbrook founded, in Thomas Mann's novel

1838 ― Central American federation is dissolved

1865 ― Four Lincoln assassination conspirators, including Mary Surratt, hanged

1891 ― Travelers cheque patented

1937 ― Japanese and Chinese troops clash, which will become WW II

1960 ― USSR shoots down a U.S. aircraft over Barents sea

1968 ― Rock group ``The Yardbirds" disband

1981 ― First solar-powered aircraft, Solar Challenger, crosses English Channel

1987 ― Lt. Colonel Oliver North began public testimony at Iran-Contra hearing

1988 ― Soviet Union launches Phobos 1 to probe Martian moon (unsuccessful)