July 1976

Friday 02:

North and South Vietnam, divided since 1954, reunite to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Saturday 03:

Israeli commandos rescue 105 hostages at Entebbe Airport, Uganda during Operation Yonatan.

Sunday 04:

The citizens of the United States celebrate their country's bicentennial.

Sunday 18:

Gymnast Nadia Comaneci, aged 14, scores first ever perfect 10 at the Olympics.

Monday 19:

Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal is created.

Tuesday 20:

The Central Intelligence Agency releases documents under the Freedom of Information Act revealing it had engaged in mind control experiments.

Wednesday 21:

Christopher Ewart-Biggs British ambassador to the Republic of Ireland is assassinated by the Provisional IRA

Sunday 25:

The first performance of the Philip Glass opera Einstein on the Beach

Tuesday 27:

Former Japanese prime minister Kakuei Tanaka is arrested on suspicion of violating foreign exchange and foreign trade laws in connection with the Lockheed scandal.

Wednesday 28:

The Tangshan earthquake measuring between 7.8 and 8.2 magnitude flattens Tangshan, China, killing 242,769 and injuring 164,851.

Thursday 29:

In New York City, the "Son of Sam" kills one person and seriously wounding another in the first of a series of attacks.

Saturday 31:

NASA releases the famous Face on Mars photo, taken by Viking 1