July 28 in History: World Hepatitis Day, Peru Independence, World War I and Skylab 3
Study the most important events associated with July 28, including World Hepatitis Day 2026, Peru’s declaration of independence, the Fourteenth Amendment, the opening of the First World War, Skylab 3, the Tangshan earthquake and the human right to water and sanitation.
For competitive examinations, remember the date through the keywords Hepatitis, Peru, Fourteenth Amendment, World War I, Skylab, Tangshan and Water Rights. Questions may be asked through dates, personalities, organisations, constitutional principles, scientific missions and international resolutions.
Quick Facts at a Glance
1. World Hepatitis Day 2026
“Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to increase awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that can cause severe liver disease and liver cancer.
The date was selected because it is the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg. He discovered the hepatitis B virus and contributed to the development of a diagnostic test and vaccine.
The official World Hepatitis Day 2026 theme is “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.” The campaign focuses on removing stigma and financial, social and health-system barriers that prevent people from obtaining prevention, testing, treatment and care.
WHO reports that 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024, while 1.3 million people died from chronic hepatitis B and C. These figures show why early diagnosis, vaccination and access to treatment remain major public-health priorities.
2026 theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”
Date linked to: Dr. Baruch Blumberg’s birthday
Viral Hepatitis: Quick Science Revision
| Type | Common Transmission Route | Important Exam Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Contaminated food or water | Vaccine available; usually does not become chronic |
| Hepatitis B | Blood and body fluids; mother-to-child | Vaccine available; may become chronic |
| Hepatitis C | Primarily blood exposure | No vaccine; curative antiviral treatment is available |
| Hepatitis D | Occurs only with hepatitis B infection | Preventing hepatitis B also prevents hepatitis D |
| Hepatitis E | Often contaminated water | Important in sanitation and outbreak questions |
2. José de San Martín Proclaimed Peru’s Independence – 1821
A Major Milestone in Latin American Independence
On July 28, 1821, General José de San Martín proclaimed the independence of Peru in Lima.
The declaration was a major milestone in the Spanish American wars of independence. San Martín was one of the leading liberators of southern South America and also played an important role in the independence of Argentina and Chile.
Peru celebrates July 28 as its Independence Day. The country’s capital is Lima, its currency is the sol, and its official name is the Republic of Peru.
The proclamation did not immediately end all military conflict. The struggle continued, with major victories at Junín and Ayacucho in 1824 helping consolidate independence.
Proclaimed in 1821 by José de San Martín
Capital: Lima; Currency: Sol
3. Fourteenth Amendment Certified in the United States – 1868
Citizenship, Due Process and Equal Protection
On July 28, 1868, United States Secretary of State William H. Seward issued a certificate declaring that the Fourteenth Amendment had been ratified by the required number of states.
The amendment is one of the Reconstruction Amendments adopted after the American Civil War. Its first section defines national and state citizenship and includes the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause.
The amendment became central to later constitutional cases involving civil rights, equality, citizenship and the application of constitutional protections against state governments.
Key ideas: Citizenship, due process and equal protection
Certified by: Secretary of State William H. Seward
4. Austria-Hungary Declared War on Serbia – 1914
The July Crisis Escalated into the First World War
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This declaration is widely treated as the formal beginning of the First World War.
The immediate crisis followed the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. Austria-Hungary later issued an ultimatum to Serbia.
The alliance system, military mobilisation and diplomatic breakdown rapidly widened the conflict. Russia mobilised in support of Serbia; Germany declared war on Russia and France; and Britain entered the war after Germany invaded Belgium.
The war lasted from 1914 to 1918 and transformed global politics, economies, borders and societies.
Immediate background: Assassination at Sarajevo
Conflict: First World War, 1914–1918
5. NASA Launched Skylab 3 – 1973
The Second Crew to Live Aboard Skylab
Skylab 3 launched from Kennedy Space Center on July 28, 1973 aboard a Saturn IB rocket.
The crew consisted of Alan L. Bean, Owen K. Garriott and Jack R. Lousma. They spent approximately 59.5 days in space, which was then a record-breaking duration.
The astronauts carried out medical, solar, Earth-resources and technology experiments, maintained the station and completed spacewalks. NASA records that the mission completed 858 revolutions of Earth.
Although called Skylab 3, it was the second crewed mission to the Skylab station. The station launch itself was designated Skylab 1, and the first crewed mission was Skylab 2.
Crew: Alan Bean, Owen Garriott and Jack Lousma
Important: Second crewed mission to Skylab
6. Tangshan Earthquake Struck China – 1976
One of the Most Destructive Earthquakes of the Twentieth Century
At about 03.42 hrs local time on July 28, 1976, a powerful earthquake struck the industrial city of Tangshan in Hebei Province, China.
A United States Geological Survey study described the event as magnitude 7.8, with a focal depth of about 15 kilometres and very high intensity near the epicentre.
The earthquake caused catastrophic loss of life and widespread destruction. It became an important case study in earthquake engineering, disaster preparedness, urban vulnerability and emergency response.
Magnitude values and casualty estimates can vary between scientific catalogues and historical sources. For examinations, remember the date, location and its status as one of the twentieth century’s deadliest earthquake disasters.
Location: Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
USGS study magnitude: 7.8
7. UN Recognised the Human Right to Water and Sanitation – 2010
Safe Water and Sanitation Recognised as Essential Human Rights
On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 64/292, recognising the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.
The resolution called on states and international organisations to provide financial resources, capacity-building and technology transfer, particularly to developing countries.
The recorded vote was 122 in favour, none against and 41 abstentions. The resolution is important for questions on human rights, public health, sustainable development and international organisations.
Water and sanitation are closely connected with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Adopted: July 28, 2010
Recognised: Human right to safe water and sanitation
Related SDG: SDG 6
July 28 Quick Revision Table
| Year / Date | Historical Event | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1821 | Peru’s independence proclaimed | José de San Martín |
| 1868 | Fourteenth Amendment certified | Citizenship, due process and equal protection |
| 1914 | Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia | Formal opening of the First World War |
| 1973 | Skylab 3 launched | Second crewed Skylab mission |
| 1976 | Tangshan earthquake | Major disaster in Hebei, China |
| 2010 | UN adopted Resolution 64/292 | Human right to water and sanitation |
| July 28 | World Hepatitis Day | WHO public-health observance |
Peru = Independence proclaimed, 1821
Rights = Fourteenth Amendment, 1868
War = Austria-Hungary versus Serbia, 1914
Space = Skylab 3, 1973
Quake = Tangshan, 1976
Water = UN Resolution 64/292, 2010
10 MCQs
The date marks the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and contributed to a diagnostic test and vaccine.
Read complete July 28 facts
WHO uses the 2026 theme to call for removing stigma and financial, social and health-system barriers to hepatitis services.
Read complete July 28 facts
José de San Martín proclaimed independence in Lima. Peru’s capital is Lima and its currency is the sol.
Read complete July 28 facts
The Fourteenth Amendment addresses citizenship, due process and equal protection and was central to later civil-rights jurisprudence.
Read complete July 28 facts
Austria-Hungary’s declaration followed the July Crisis and is widely regarded as the formal opening of the First World War.
Read complete July 28 facts
NASA launched Skylab 3 on a Saturn IB. Its crew was Alan Bean, Owen Garriott and Jack Lousma.
Read complete July 28 facts
The station launch was designated Skylab 1; Skylab 2 carried the first crew, and Skylab 3 carried the second crew.
Read complete July 28 facts
Tangshan is in Hebei Province, China. The disaster is a major case study in seismic engineering and disaster management.
Read complete July 28 facts
Adopted on July 28, 2010, the resolution recognised safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as essential human rights.
Read complete July 28 facts
SDG 6 seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Read complete July 28 facts
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is World Hepatitis Day observed on July 28?
The date is the birthday of Nobel laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and contributed to the development of a diagnostic test and vaccine.
2. What is the World Hepatitis Day 2026 theme?
The official WHO theme is “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” focusing on removing barriers to prevention, testing, treatment and care.
3. When did Peru declare independence?
José de San Martín proclaimed Peru’s independence in Lima on July 28, 1821. The military struggle continued after the declaration.
4. Why is July 28, 1914 important?
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, escalating the July Crisis into the First World War.
5. What was Skylab 3?
It was NASA’s second crewed mission to the Skylab space station. It launched on July 28, 1973 with Alan Bean, Owen Garriott and Jack Lousma.
6. What did UN Resolution 64/292 recognise?
It recognised safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right essential for life and the enjoyment of all human rights.
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Official Sources and References
- World Health Organization – World Hepatitis Day 2026
- World Health Organization – Why July 28 Was Selected
- Congress of Peru – Historical Outline and Independence
- U.S. National Archives – Fourteenth Amendment
- Imperial War Museums – Outbreak of the First World War
- NASA – Skylab 3 Mission
- U.S. Geological Survey – 1976 Tangshan Earthquake
- United Nations Digital Library – Resolution 64/292
- United Nations – Vote on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation
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