July 4 - Independence Day

Independence Day

This Day In History

993

Saint Ulrich of Augsburg is the first saint to be canonized.

1054

A supernova is seen by Chinese, Arab, and possibly Amerindian observers near the star Zeta Tauri. For several months it remains bright enough to be seen during the day. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula.

1636

City of Providence, Rhode Island is founded.

1776

The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

1803

The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people.

1831

Samuel Francis Smith wrote "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" for the Boston, MA July 4th festivities.

1837

Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway, opens between Birmingham and Liverpool.

1855

In Brooklyn, New York, the first edition of Walt Whitman's book of poems, titled Leaves of Grass, is published.

1865

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is published.

1886

The people of France offer the Statue of Liberty to the people of the United States.

1939

Lou Gehrig, recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, tells a crowd at Yankee Stadium that he considers himself "The luckiest man on the face of the earth" as he announces his retirement from major league baseball.

1997

NASA's Pathfinder space probe lands on the surface of Mars.

2004

The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower is laid on the site of the World Trade Center in New York City.

2009

The Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to the public after eight years of closure due to security concerns following the September 11 attacks.

Famous Birthdays

1790

George Everest, Welsh surveyor (d. 1866)

1804

Nathaniel Hawthorne, American writer (d. 1864)

1826

Stephen Foster, American songwriter (d. 1864)

1847

James Anthony Bailey, American circus impresario (d. 1906)

1868

Henrietta Swan Leavitt, American astronomer (d. 1921)

1872

Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States (d. 1933)

1883

Rube Goldberg, American cartoonist (d. 1970)

1991

Irving Johnson, American author, lecturer, adventurer, and sail training pioneer (d. 1991)

1918

Ann Landers, American advice columnist (d. 2002)
Abigail Van Buren, American advice columnist

1924

Eva Marie Saint, American actress

1927

Neil Simon, American playwright

1955

John Waite, English singer and songwriter

1971

Koko, sign-language gorilla

1978

Becki Newton, American actress