07/2/1940
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. Laurent rescues 860 from the torpedoed passenger liner Arandora Star.
07/2/1941
The Royal Canadian Air Force is “officially” authorized to enlist women and creates the Canadian Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, later renamed Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division.
07/3/1931
The first ships built for the Royal Canadian Navy, HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Skeena, complete their maiden voyages to Halifax. Both were commissioned at Portsmouth, England.
07/3/1944
A German convoy off St. Malo, France, is attacked by four Canadian Motor Torpedo Boats of the 65th Flotilla. Two merchant ships and a minesweeper are hit.
07/4/1944
Canadian forces advance toward Carpiquet airport on the outskirts of Caen, Normandy. The Canadians are ravaged by enemy machine-gun fire.
07/5/1900
Almost surrounded by Boer troops, Canadian soldiers are in peril. Under covering fire, Sergeant Arthur Richardson of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse rides a wounded horse through a vicious crossfire to recue a fellow soldier. Two other soldiers are taken prisoner. The rest of the regiment escapes to fight again. Richardson earns the Victoria Cross.
07/5-6/1944
As part of Escort Group 12, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Qu’Appelle, Restigouche, Saskatchewan and Skeena open fire on a U-boat and its escort near Brest. Heavily armed German trawlers return fire, but three are sunk. The U-boat escapes. Qu’Appelle is damaged and her captain is wounded.
07/6/2003
Operation Caravan, Canada’s role in the French-led United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, comes to an end.
07/7/1956
Seven army trucks loaded with dynamite explode in Cali, Columbia. More than 1,100 die; dozens of buildings are destroyed.
07/7/2005
Explosions in the London Underground (subway system) leave dozens dead and many more seriously injured. The attacks are carried out by four suicide bombers. In a subsequent videotaped statement, al-Qaida claims responsibility.
07/8/1965
Ronald Biggs, a member of the Great Train Robbery gang in Britain, escapes from prison.
07/8/1971
Rioting erupts in Londonderry, Ireland. British troops open fire; two men are killed.
