THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008

Today is Thursday, July 31, the 213th day of 2008. There are 154 days left in the year.

1498 _ Christopher Columbus discovers island of Trinidad

1777 _ Marquis de Lafayette, 19, made major-general of Continental Army

1912 _ U.S. government prohibits movies and photos of prize fights (censorship)

1922 _ 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson rides world's first water skis (Minn.)

1942 _ German SS gases 1,000 Jews in Minsk, Belorussia

1960 _ Elijah Muhammad, leader of Nation of Islam, calls for a black state

1962 _ Federation of Malaysia formed

1964 _ Al Parker glides 644 miles without any motor

1966 _ Alabamans burn Beatle products due to John Lennon's anti-Jesus remark

1988 _ Willie Stargell became 200th man inducted in Baseball's Hall of Fame