On July 28th, various significant events happened throughout history. Let's first examine the important events from the past, followed by a brief overview of current noteworthy events. Specifically, we will focus on the major historical occurrences on July 28th during the Modern History era.
Every year on July 28, the world observes World Hepatitis Day (WHD) with the common objective of raising awareness about the worldwide impact of viral hepatitis and advocating for significant change. The theme for 2023 is "We're not waiting." The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus. Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.
2. WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAY:
World Nature Conservation Day is observed on July 28 to create awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting the environment and its natural resources. It’s an important occasion to educate people about the challenges of climate change and the necessity of conservation of natural resources.
3. BUFFALO SOLDIERS DAY:
Buffalo Soldiers Day on July 28th commemorates the formation of the first regular Army regiments comprising African American soldiers in 1866.
4. INDEPENDENCE OF PERU:
Peru was a Spanish colony for over 300 years. The first major uprising against Spanish rule occurred in 1780, led by José Gabriel Condorcanqui, who was known as Tupac Amaru II. The independence movement gained momentum in the early 1800s, and in 1821, José de San Martín declared Peru's independence. The Spanish forces were finally defeated in 1824, at the Battle of Ayacucho. Peru officially became an independent nation on July 28, 1821.
5. PHOTOGRAPHY OF THR FIRST TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE:
The first photograph of a total solar eclipse was taken by Johann Julius Friedrich Berkowski on July 28, 1851, in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia).
6. OUTSET OF FIRST WORLD WAR:
The outbreak of the First World War (also known as World War I) occurred on July 28, 1914, in response to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife, Sophie, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The assassination was carried out by a Bosnian Serb nationalist named Gavrilo Princip and set off a chain reaction of alliances and conflicts among the major powers of Europe.
7. FOURTEEN AMENDMENTS OF THE USA CONSTITUTION:
The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was officially ratified on July 9, 1868. Nearly three weeks later, on July 28, 1868, Secretary of State William Seward issued a proclamation affirming that the Fourteenth Amendment was a fully integrated part of the Constitution, with no reservations.
8. BONUS ARMY MARCH
During the Great Depression, thousands of World War I veterans, known as the Bonus Army, marched to Washington, D.C., demanding early payment of their military bonuses, which were due to be paid in 1945, which were evicted by the U.S. Army from their campsite, causing injuries and public outcry and a poignant event reflecting veterans' struggles of Bonus Marchers.
9. TERMINATION OF ARMED CAMPAIGN BY IRA:
On July 28, 2005, the Ireland Republican Army Council announced the end of its armed campaign which lasted over 30 years to free Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom's rule. The announcement was made in a statement that said - IRA had completely and unambiguously ended its armed campaign and that it would not engage in any future military activity and would support the democratic process and will use its influence to promote peace and reconciliation.
10. THE TANGSHAN EARTHQUAKE:
One of the most devastating earthquakes recorded in history hit an industrial city of China Tangshan. It happened on July 28, 1976, and is known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5 to 7.8 and caused massive destruction. The death toll was immense, with over 240,000 people believed to have lost their lives, and many others were injured. The catastrophe led to significant advances in earthquake research and preparedness worldwide. The memory of this tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of being ready for natural disasters.
11. WORLD HEADLINES OF 28 JULY 2023:
A) NIGER COUP:
In 2023, on July 27th, Niger experienced a military coup led by Colonel Assimi Goita and his team, resulting in the arrest of President Mohamed Bazoum and other officials. This event was widely condemned by countries worldwide, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union. Despite the coup plotters' claim that they will hold elections within 18 months, it remains uncertain if they will follow through with this promise. The coup has sparked concerns about Niger's stability as it is a critical ally in the fight against terrorism in the area. The coup did not receive the support of the majority of Nigerians and is expected to further alienate the military from the Nigerian population, complicating the country's stability. This coup in Niger serves as a reminder of how democracy remains fragile in Africa and highlights the importance of holding free and fair elections. The international community should continue to put pressure on the coup plotters to return to constitutional order and hold elections as soon as possible.
B) Singapore has executed a woman for the first time in nearly two decades. Saridewi Djamani, a 45-year-old Singaporean woman, was convicted in 2018 of trafficking more than 30 grams of heroin. She is the first woman to be hanged since 2004.
