on this day: july 31st

169 years ago - 1856, Founding of Christchurch, New Zealand

Besides being the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch is officially the oldest established city in the country. Home to the Maori peoples, the city is lush with beautiful gardens and the Avon River. And for you geography experts out there, it's also the exact antipode city of A Coruna, Spain.

60 years ago - 1965, Birthday of author, J. K. Rowling

Ridiculous! How does one woman amass a fortune close to $1 billion dollars? Write an acclaimed children's book. Then write six more, and have them made into popular films. What would you do if you had a choice to live in Hogwarts for awhile?