Ranger 7 Photographs the Moon: 1,000x Closer
Ranger 7 smashed into the lunar surface and beamed back the first close-up photographs of the moon, revealing details 1,000 times sharper than any image captured by Earth-bound telescopes. This visual breakthrough instantly transformed our understanding of the lunar terrain, providing the essential topographic data NASA needed to safely land astronauts just two years later.
July 31, 1964
62 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on July 31
Mark Antony wins a fleeting tactical victory at Alexandria before his entire army deserts, driving him to take his own life. This collapse hands Octavian total …
Mount Fuji erupted for the first recorded time, spewing ash and debris that blanketed the surrounding plains. This geological event forced local communities to …
Ash rained down on the surrounding plains as Mount Fuji erupted for the first time in recorded history. This event established the volcano’s status as an active…
The largest naval raid in Byzantine history arrived with 54 Arab ships commanded by Leo of Tripoli, a Greek convert to Islam who knew exactly which harbor defen…
Pietro Martino Boccapecora took the name Sergius IV when he became pope — but everyone still called him "Pig's Snout" behind his back. His birth name meant exac…
A 300-pound Byzantine nobleman convinced himself he could overthrow Emperor Alexios III by simply showing up at the palace. John Komnenos the Fat—his actual his…
Talk to History
Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.