July 15

On July 28, 1976, the city of Tangshan in China’s Hebei Province experienced one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history. With a magnitude of at least 7.5, the quake leveled the industrial city, resulting in catastrophic loss of life and extensive destruction. This story unravels the harrowing events leading up to the quake, the immediate aftermath, and the long-term impact on China’s disaster management and urban planning.

On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner’s tragic death in Staten Island, New York, became a pivotal moment in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism. Garner, a 43-year-old African American man with health issues, died after being placed in a prohibited chokehold by NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Garner’s repeated pleas of “I can’t breathe” echoed through the nation, igniting widespread protests and fueling the Black Lives Matter movement. Despite legal setbacks, Garner’s death led to significant policy changes and ongoing advocacy for police reform and accountability.

On July 10, 2006, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 688, a Fokker F27 on a scheduled domestic flight from Islamabad to Multan, crashed shortly after takeoff from Benazir Bhutto International Airport. All 45 people on board were killed; investigators later pointed to an in‑service technical failure compounded by shortcomings in maintenance and oversight.