July 21, Scopes ‘Monkey Trial’ Verdict

American teacher John Thomas Scopes (1900 – 1970) (2nd from left) stands in court during his trial for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in his high school science class, Dayton, Tennessee, 1925. Scopes’ case became nationally known as the “Scopes Monkey Trial.” (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Today is Sunday, July 21, the 203rd day of 2024. There are 163 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On July 21, 1925, the so-called “Monkey Trial” concluded in Dayton, Tennessee, with John T. Scopes being found guilty of violating state law by teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution. (The conviction was later overturned.)

Also on this date:

In 1861, during the Civil War, the First Battle of Bull Run was fought near Manassas, Virginia. This battle resulted in a victory for the Confederacy.

In 1944, American troops landed on Guam during World War II. About three weeks later, the island was captured from the Japanese.

In 1954, the Geneva Conference concluded with agreements that divided Vietnam into northern and southern parts.

In 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin launched from the Moon aboard the lunar module’s ascent stage to dock with the command module.

In 1970, the construction of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt was completed.

In 1972, the Irish Republican Army carried out 22 bombings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, killing nine people and injuring 130 in what became known as “Bloody Friday.”

In 2002, Ernie Els won the British Open, the first sudden-death finish in the tournament’s 142-year history.

In 2008, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic (RA’-doh-van KA’-ra-jich), one of the world’s largest fugitives for war crimes, was arrested by Serbian security forces on the outskirts of Belgrade. (He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a UN court in 2019 after being convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.)

In 2011, the 30-year space shuttle program came to an end when Atlantis landed at Cape Canaveral, Florida, after the 135th shuttle flight.

In 2012, Erden Eruc became the first person to complete a single-handed, single-handed journey around the world.

In 2021, public health officials reported that life expectancy in the U.S. fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II. The decline was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the buzz surrounding “Barbenheimer” reached its peak when the films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” hit theaters, with critical acclaim and critical acclaim for both films resulting in the fourth-highest weekend box office of all time.

Birthday today:

Singer Yusuf Islam (also known as Cat Stevens) is 76.
Cartoonist Garry Trudeau is 76.
Author Michael Connelly is 68.
Comedian Jon Lovitz is 67.
Retired football player Brandi Chastain is 56 years old.
Rock-soul singer Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz and the Tantrums) is 54.
Actress/singer Charlotte Gainsbourg is 53.
Actor Justin Bartha is 46.
Actor Josh Hartnett is 46.
Reggae singer Damian Marley is 46.
Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings is 45 years old.
Former MLB All-Star pitcher CC Sabathia (suh-BATH’-ee-uh) is 44.
Singer Blake Lewis (“American Idol”) is 43.
Latin American singer Romeo Santos is 43.
Actor Betty Gilpin is 38.
Actor Juno Temple is 35.
Actor Rory Culkin is 35.
Manchester City football star Erling Haaland is 24.