What Happened on July 25?
July 25 is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day — a sweet excuse to celebrate ice cream — on the same date the world's first IVF baby was born in 1978, Louis Blériot flew the English Channel in 1909, and Puerto Rico became a U.S. commonwealth in 1952.
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1909 — Louis Blériot flies an airplane across the English Channel
French aviator Louis Blériot crossed the English Channel in 37 minutes on July 25, 1909 — proving airplanes could link nations by air. Read the full story →
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1952 — Puerto Rico becomes a self-governing U.S. commonwealth
On July 25, 1952, Puerto Rico adopted its own constitution and became a commonwealth — a unique political status linked to the United States. Read the full story →
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1956 — The ocean liner Andrea Doria sinks after a collision at sea
On the night of July 25, 1956, the Italian liner Andrea Doria collided with the Stockholm off Nantucket and sank eleven hours later. Read the full story →
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1965 — Bob Dylan plugs in at the Newport Folk Festival
On July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan shocked folk fans by playing electric guitar at Newport — splitting the music world overnight. Read the full story →
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1978 — Louise Brown becomes the world's first baby born through in vitro fertilization
On July 25, 1978, Louise Brown was born in England — the first human conceived in a laboratory dish and then placed in her mother's womb. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958) · Walter Payton (1954–1999) · Iman (1955) · Matt LeBlanc (1967)
Days & observances
National Hot Fudge Sundae Day · World Drowning Prevention Day · National Wine and Cheese Day · National Hire a Veteran Day