• 1857 – The SS Central America sinks about 160 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, drowning a total of 426 passengers and crew, including Captain William Lewis Herndon. The ship carried 13-15 tons of gold from the San Francisco Gold Rush.
• 1906 – Newport Transporter Bridge (pictured) is opened in Newport, United Kingdom.
• 1992 – NASA launches Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-47 which marked the 50th shuttle mission. On board is Mae Carol Jemison, the first African-American woman in space.

More events: July 20 – July 21 – July 22