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)