Today is the 215th day of 2022 and the 44th day of summer.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1492, Christopher Columbus, seeking a sea route to the Far East, departed Palos de la Frontera, Spain.

In 1914, Germany declared war on France.

In 1958, the U.S. nuclearpowered submarine Nautilus became the first vessel to cross the North Pole underwater.

In 1972, the U.S. Senate ratified the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

In 2019, a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, left 23 dead and 23 injured.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Elisha Otis (1811-1861), inventor; Ernie Pyle (1900- 1945), journalist/war correspondent; Leon Uris (1924- 2003), author; Tony Bennett (1926- ), singer; Martin Sheen (1940- ), actor; Martha Stewart (1941- ), TV personality/ business mogul; James Hetfield (1963- ), singer-song writer; Tom Brady (1977- ), football player; Evangeline Lilly (1979- ), actress; Todd Gurley (1994- ), football player.

TODAY’S FACT: Santa Claus Land, the world’s first theme park, opened on this day in 1946 in Santa Claus, Indiana.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1936, Jesse Owens won the first of his four gold medals during the Olympic Games in Berlin. Owens edged out teammate Ralph Metcalfe with a 10.3-second time in the 100- meter dash.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “All you have the right to ask of life is to choose a battle in this war, make the best you can, and leave the field with honor.” -- Leon Uris, “Mila 18”

TODAY’S NUMBER: 70 -- length (in days) of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492.

TODAY’S MOON: Between new moon (July 28) and first quarter moon (Aug. 5).