July 24th

July 24 is the 206th day of the year.  There are 160 days remaining until the end of the year.

1847 Brigham Young and his Mormon followers arrive at Salt Lake City, Utah, and discover a glistening white Disney-like castle ready to be occupied.

1911 While looking for mucho pinga, Hiram Bingham III re-discovers Machu Picchu, "the Lost City of the Incas".

1934 1st ptarmigan is hatched and reared in captivity, Ithaca, New York, until it is plump and juicy

1935 The dust bowl heat wave reaches its peak, sending temperatures to 109F (44C) in Chicago and 104F (40C) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. BFD, welcome to 2012!.

1956 Gay lovers Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis perform together for the last time at the Copacabana in NYC

1961 Beginning of a trend, a U.S. commercial plane is hijacked to Cuba. Before this, the trend was in the opposite direction

1965 Bob Dylan releases "Like a Rolling Stone"

2005 Lance Armstrong "retires" after winning his 7th straight Tours de France

2011  Marriage Equality floods New York State with some couples jumping the gun to jump the broom.

1864 Frank Wedekind, probably gay German playwright, his first, called 'Spring Awakening" had homoeroticism, implied group male masturbation, actual male masturbation, sado-masochism between a teenage boy and girl, rape, suicide, and references to abortion. It was, of course, turned into a musical in 2006 (8 Tonys!) 

1897 Amelia Earhart, maybe gay US aviatrix. I wonder what ever became of her?  

1940 Dan Hedaya, maybe gay US actor/bear  

1942 Chris Sarandon, US actor  

1946 Gallagher [Leo Anthony Gallagher, Jr], maybe gay US comedian  

1952 Gus Van Sant, gay US director/My Own Private Idaho/Milk/Good Will Hunting  

1958 Joe McGann, English actor  

1967 Tony Brocco, gay US pornographic actor  

1969 Rick Fox [Ulrich Alexander Fox], Canadian basketball player/actor 

1971 John Partridge, gay English actor/singer  

1972 Geert Hunaerts, Belgian actor  

1977 Danny Dyer, English actor  

1982 Anna Paquin, bisexual Canadian actress  

1980 [Richard Henry] Peter Sellers, actor (Pink Panther, Mouse that Roared), is probably happier being there

2007 For Chaney Kley [Minnis], maybe gay US actor (Legally Blonde), darkness falls

2009 E. Lynn Harris, US author (Just As I Am), finds out what becomes of the brokenhearted.