MONDAY, July 31, 2023

1498 ― Christopher Columbus discovers island of Trinidad

1809 ― First practical railroad track (wooden, for horse-drawn cars), built in Pennsylvania

1813 ― British forces invade Plattsburgh, NY

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

1922 ― 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson rides world's 1st water skis (Minnesota)

1953 ― U.S. Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare created

1960 ― Elijah Muhammad, leader of Nation of Islam, calls for a Black state

1964 ― NASA's Ranger 7 takes 4,316 pictures before crashing on Moon

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

1981 ― Arnette Hubbard installed as first woman president of the National Bar Association

1990 ― Nolan Ryan becomes the 20th major league pitcher to win 300 games