July 12, 1817 – American philosopher Henry David Thoreau is born in Concord, Massachusetts.
July 14, 1913 – 38th U. S. President Gerald Ford is born in Omaha, Nebraska. He is the only person to serve as Vice President and President without ever being elected to those offices.
July 14, 1912 – American folksinger and social activist Woodie Guthrie is born in Okemah, Oklahoma.
July 18, 1918 – South African anti-apartheid leader and later that country’s President, Nelson Mandela, is born; he is the son of a tribal chieftain.