Eleven years ago, the New Horizons spacecraft made a groundbreaking flyby of Pluto, completing the first survey of our solar system’s outermost world. This event on July 14, 2015, symbolizes human curiosity and exploration, alongside other notable anniversaries on this day that continue to inspire and entertain.
- New Horizons completed first detailed Pluto survey in 2015
- Birth of Woody Guthrie, influential folk musician
- Debut of arcade classic Mario Bros. featuring Mario and Luigi
What happened
On July 14, 2015, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft made its closest approach to Pluto, passing just 12,472 kilometers from the dwarf planet’s surface. This landmark mission concluded the first full survey of the solar system, taking a decade to reach its distant target. It also captured images of Pluto’s five moons: Nix, Styx, Kerberos, Charon, and Hydra. Over the following 15 months, New Horizons transmitted 6 gigabytes of valuable data, unveiling details about Pluto’s surface and cryovolcanism.
In addition to this monumental space exploration milestone, July 14 commemorates other cultural achievements: the birth of Woody Guthrie in 1912, whose iconic folk music continues to resonate; the release of Mario Bros. in 1983 by Nintendo, a game that introduced the legendary characters Mario and Luigi to the world; and Jane Goodall’s first arrival at the Gombe Stream Reserve in 1960, beginning her revolutionary chimpanzee research.
Why it feels good
New Horizons’ successful Pluto flyby reminds us of humanity’s drive to explore and understand the unknown, sparking wonder about our place in the cosmos. The images and data sent back bring us closer to an icy, distant world that few had ever seen, expanding our knowledge and imagination.
July 14 also celebrates artistic and scientific pioneers whose work enriched culture and science. Woody Guthrie’s music gave voice to social issues with heartfelt sincerity, Mario Bros. brought joy and creativity that would define generations of gamers, and Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research shifted how we view our closest animal relatives — all affirming human curiosity and creativity.
What to enjoy or watch next
To appreciate New Horizons’ discoveries, check out NASA’s ongoing updates as the spacecraft continues its journey through the Kuiper Belt, with hopes of a possible third flyby in the coming years. The mission’s detailed observations offer a fascinating glimpse at the outer solar system’s landscape and history.
Dive into the worlds created and inspired by the day’s anniversaries: listen to Woody Guthrie’s classic 'This Land Is Your Land,' play or watch gameplay of Mario Bros. and its many spin-offs, or explore documentaries about Jane Goodall’s life and profound contributions to primatology. These stories combine to make July 14 a day of inspiring progress and joyful discovery.