July 24, 1911 – American archeologist Hiram Bingham gets his first look at the ruins of Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca settlement in Peru that is now one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
July 24, 1915 – The steamer Eastland overturns at its dock in the Chicago River drowning between 800 and 850 passengers when apparently too many passengers gathered on one side causing the imbalance. The passengers were all employees of the Western Electric Company or family members headed for a company picnic on the shores of Lake Michigan.
July 26, 1953 – Fidel Castro begins his “26th of July Movement” to topple the dictatorship of Cuba by Fulgencio Batista. He is eventually successful when Batista flees Cuba on New Year’s Day 1959.
July 27, 1953 – The Korean War ends with the signing of an armistice at Panmunjom, Korea.