National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for July 31, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
July 31, 2026 celebrates National Mutt Day, plus 5 more. National Mutt Day encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs. This fur-eindly celebration is so popular, we celebrate twice a year--July 31st and December 2nd.
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Add National Avocado Day on July 31st to your menu of delicious food holidays to celebrate. Avocados are so versatile you can use them for everything from the appetizer to main dishes. Get ready to clear the table for an entire meal to make sure you enjoy this delicious food in style.
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The last Friday in July provides an opportunity to embrace new ideas and toss out old ways on National Get Gnarly Day. Much like surfers challenging the waves, Get Gnarly Day challenges us to put some gnarliness into everything we do.
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National System Administrator Appreciation Day, observed on the last Friday in July. Also known as Sysadmin Day, SysAdminDay, SAD or SAAD, this awareness holiday recognizes the IT professionals who keep organizations of all sizes up and running. From small startups to massive global enterprises, system administrators ensure our networks stay online, systems remain secure, and technical disruptions are kept at bay.
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National Talk In An Elevator Day falls on the last Friday in July encourages everyone to step out of their comfort zone and strike up a conversation with fellow passengers during a lift ride.
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National Raspberry Cake Day on July 31st marks the perfect midsummer occasion to indulge in a light, refreshing, and sweet dessert. As summer reaches its peak, fresh raspberries hit their prime—making this food holiday an unbeatable reason to bake, share, and enjoy one of North America's favorite seasonal treats.
Read the full story →People born on July 31
Painter and illustrator known for her watercolor paintings of wildflowers.
Animation producer best known for producing the cartoon Tom and Jerry.
Second woman to race in top level NASCAR.
Non-commissioned Army officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. He is considered to be the most highly decorated soldier with Easy Company. He was also portrayed in Band of Brothers (played by Scott Grimes).
Chemist who invented Kevlar (tire material). She became the fourth woman to be added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Events that occurred on July 31 throughout history
Samuel Hopkins is issued the first patent for his improvement to the potassium carbonate process. Also known as "potash", the improvement moved away from burning wood, mixing the ashes with water, and then boiling off the liquid in large iron kettles.
Stones are laid for the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building was the first federal government building under the U.S. Constitution.
Patrick Francis Healy became the first Black person to be inaugurated as President of Georgetown University. The University was a predominantly white university. Healy was born into slavery to a mixed race mother and her Irish owner. He identified as white his entire life, but was posthumously recognized as being mixed until later years if his life.
The Coast Guard officers' training school is established in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Academy later moved to its current permanent location in New London, Connecticut.
Congress to pass the Sims Act in 1912, censors movies and photos of prizefights. The Act was passed after Black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson defeated white boxer James J. Jeffries.
Astronauts David Scott (Commander) and James Irwin (Lunar Module Pilot) on Apollo 15 become the first to ride in a lunar rover. The duo covered 17 miles (27 km) at 10 mph.
Michael Phelps breaks the 1964 record for the most medals won at the Olympics. The record was previously held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina’s.
Longer-running observances that include this date.
National Ice Cream Month
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Disability Pride Month
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National Fragile X Awareness Month
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National Anti-boredom Month
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National Hot Dog Month
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National Blueberry Month
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National Picnic Month
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World Watercolor Month
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National Grilling Month
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National Culinary Arts Month
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National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
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Independent Retailer Month
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Showing the first 12 — See all months for July.
