Otto von Bismark dies

On July 30, 1898, Otto von Bismark died at age 83 in Germany. Bismark served as Prime Minister of Prussia until German unification in 1873. He then served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire. Bismark is perhaps best remembered for engineering the unification of Germany, but he was also responsible for the creation of the German social welfare system.

THIS DAY @ LAW

First black woman judge appointed in US

On July 22, 1939, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia appointed Jane Matilda Bolin a judge of the city's Domestic Relations Court, making her the first African-American woman appointed to judicial office in the United States. She served on the court for 40 years. Learn more about Jane Matilda Bolin.

Japan finished paying reparations to the Philippines

On July 22, 1976, Japan paid the last of its World War II reparations to the Philippines.