July 29

1588 - The Battle of Gravelines: The Spanish Armada was defeated by an English fleet under Lord Howard and Sir Francis Drake.

The battle was a tactical draw, but a strategic victory for the English because the Spanish were never able to re-create a force large enough to attempt an invasion.

The defeat of the Armada also began a 200-year decline for the Spanish, and a 300+ year rise in power for the English...Signaling a global change in the balance of power.

1921 - Adolf Hitler became the President of the Nationalist Socialist German Workers' Party - later called the Nazi Party.

How this rag-tag group and pathetic Austrian came to power in Germany is truly amazing, and tragic...But, make no mistake, it could happen again. It could happen in any country under the right conditions.

2004 - John Kerry gave his acceptance speech as the Democratic presidential nominee before 15,000 supporters in Boston’s Fleet Center: “I’m John Kerry, and I’m reporting for duty.”

What a putz...Amazingly, he was within striking distance of becoming President of the United States.