- Jul 2 FIFA World Cup: Ghana, only African team remaining in last 8, are beaten 4-2 on penalties by Uruguay; Netherlands upset Brazil 2-1
- Jul 2 Oil tanker truck explosion in South Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, kills at least 230 people
Wimbledon Women's Tennis
Jul 3 Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Serena Williams successfully defends her crown overpowering Vera Zvonareva of Russia 6-3, 6-2
Wimbledon Men's Tennis
Jul 4 Wimbledon Men's Tennis: Spaniard Rafael Nadal beats Tomáš Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 for his second Wimbledon title
Incubus
Jul 6 "Incubus" singer Brandon Boyd announces the release of his debut solo album, "The Wild Trapeze"
Inception
Jul 8 "Inception", directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, premieres in London
- Jul 8 During 1st round of the John Deere Classic, Paul Goydos becomes the 4th, and oldest player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59; round included 12 birdies and 6 pars
- Jul 11 FIFA World Cup Final, Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa: Andrés Iniesta scores an extra time winner as Spain beats the Netherlands, 1-0 for first World Cup title
US Women's Golf Open
Jul 11 US Open Women's Golf, Oakmont CC: Paula Creamer wins her first major championship, 4 shots ahead of runners-up Na Yeon Choi and Suzann Pettersen
- Jul 13 81st All Star Baseball Game: NL wins 3-1 at Angel Stadium, Anaheim
ESPY Awards
Jul 14 18th ESPY Awards: Drew Brees, Lindsey Vonn win
Music History
Jul 23 One Direction is formed during the X Factor show as Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson join together
- Jul 25 97th Tour de France won by Andy Schleck of Luxembourg
Senior Open Championship
Jul 25 British Senior Open Men's Golf, Carnoustie: Bernhard Langer of Germany wins by 1 stroke from American Corey Pavin
Sherlock
Jul 25 British TV series "Sherlock" debuts starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss
Authors
Dictators
Explorers
Outlaws
Queens
Spies