1. On July 31, 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion came to a head when a group of rebels attacked the home of tax collector General John Neville in Allegheny County. This event ultimately led to the federal government sending troops to suppress the rebellion.
2. The Pennsylvania state motto "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence" was officially adopted on July 31, 1875.
3. On July 31, 1900, the city of Wilkes-Barre suffered one of the deadliest flash floods in American history, resulting in the deaths of over 2,000 people and the destruction of thousands of homes and businesses.
4. The Hershey Chocolate Company was incorporated on July 31, 1987. The company, which began as a small chocolate-making operation in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has since become one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world.
5. On July 31, 1990, the PENNBOC (Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection) was established. The organization is responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws in the state, including those related to fraud, unfair business practices, and product safety.