CLEVELAND HISTORY

AC/DC Performs at World Series of Rock (July 28, 1979): AC/DC performed at Cleveland’s Lakefront Stadium as part of the World Series of Rock concert series, sharing the stage with Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, Journey, Thin Lizzy, and Scorpions. The event drew tens of thousands of fans and showcased Cleveland’s prominence in rock music culture during the 1970s.

Dr. Sam Sheppard’s Arrest (July 30, 1954): Following the widely publicized murder of his wife, Marilyn Sheppard, Dr. Sam Sheppard was arrested at his Bay Village home. The sensational case sparked national attention, raising critical questions about media influence on trials and due process. His eventual acquittal helped shape future standards for fair trials in the U.S.

Dedication of St. Theodosius Cathedral (July 31, 1913): St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral, located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, was officially dedicated. Known for its distinctive onion domes and Byzantine architecture, the cathedral became a spiritual and cultural anchor for Cleveland’s growing Russian immigrant population.

First Major League Game at Municipal Stadium (July 31, 1932): Cleveland Municipal Stadium hosted its first Major League Baseball game when the Cleveland Indians played the Detroit Tigers. Although the Indians lost 4–3, the event marked the start of the stadium’s role as a key venue for professional sports and large-scale public events in the city.

First CP&A Railroad Stockholder Meeting (August 1, 1849): The Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula Railroad held its first official stockholder meeting, with Alfred Kelley serving as acting president. This meeting laid the groundwork for future rail development in Northeast Ohio, eventually contributing to the region’s integration into the national transportation network.

WORLD HISTORY

Start of World War I (July 28, 1914):
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, marking the beginning of World War I. This event set off a cascade of military alliances and mobilizations across Europe, leading to one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Over 30 nations eventually became involved, resulting in more than 16 million deaths.

Tangshan Earthquake in China (July 28, 1976):
A devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Tangshan in northeastern China, killing an estimated 242,000 people and injuring hundreds of thousands more. Entire neighborhoods were flattened in seconds, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters of the 20th century.

England Wins the FIFA World Cup (July 30, 1966):
England claimed its first and only FIFA World Cup title by defeating West Germany 4–2 in extra time at Wembley Stadium in London. Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick in the final, a record that still stands, and the victory remains a celebrated moment in English sports history.

Abolition of Slavery in Jamaica (August 1, 1838):
Slavery officially ended in Jamaica when the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came fully into effect. While the act passed years earlier, August 1 marked the beginning of complete freedom for formerly enslaved people across the British colony, a milestone still commemorated as Emancipation Day.

Calvin Coolidge Becomes U.S. President (August 3, 1923):
After the sudden death of President Warren G. Harding, Vice President Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th President of the United States. He took the oath of office at his family home in Vermont, administered by his father, a notary public.