What Happened on July 28?

July 28 is National Milk Chocolate Day — sweet and creamy — on the same date World War I began in 1914, Peru proclaimed independence in 1821, and a B-25 bomber crashed into the Empire State Building in 1945.

• 1821 — Peru proclaims independence from Spain

  On July 28, 1821, General José de San Martín proclaimed Peru's independence in Lima's main square — a milestone in South America's liberation. Read the full story →

• 1866 — Congress legalizes the use of the metric system in the United States

  On July 28, 1866, President Andrew Johnson signed the Metric Act — making it legal to use metric weights and measures in America. Read the full story →

• 1914 — Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, opening World War I

  On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand — triggering a chain reaction across Europe. Read the full story →

• 1932 — U.S. Army troops disperse the Bonus Army of veterans in Washington

  On July 28, 1932, soldiers with tear gas and cavalry cleared World War I veterans camped in Washington demanding early payment of promised bonuses. Read the full story →

• 1945 — A B-25 bomber crashes into the Empire State Building

  On July 28, 1945, fog caused a U.S. Army bomber to hit the Empire State Building in New York City, killing 14 people. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929–1994) · Beatrix Potter (1866–1943) · Drew Barrymore (1975) · Manu Ginóbili (1977)

Days & observances

National Milk Chocolate Day · World Hepatitis Day · National Waterpark Day · World Nature Conservation Day