July 4th
1776
The U.S. declared independence from Great Britain.
1802
The U.S. Military Academy opened at West Point, N.Y.
1817
At Rome, New York, United States, construction on the Erie Canal begins.
1826
Former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died.
1831
Former president James Monroe died.
1862
Lewis Carroll first told the story of Alice's Adventures Underground to the Liddell sisters.
1884
The Statue of Liberty was presented to the United States in Paris.
1895
Katharine Lee Bates published America the Beautiful.
1934
Boxer Joe Louis won his first professional fight.
1939
Lou Gehrig, stricken with ALS, made his farewell at Yankee Stadium.
1959
A 49th star was added to the American flag to represent the new state of Alaska.
1960
The number of stars on the American flag was increased to 50 to honor the new state of Hawaii.
1976
The United States celebrated its bicentennial.
1980
Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) got his 3,000th career strikeout.
2003
Singer & song writer Barry White died at the age of 58.
2004
The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower was laid at the World Trade Center site.
Birthdays
99 Gloria Stuart Actress ("Titanic")
85 Eva Marie Saint Actress
82 Gina Lollobrigida Actress
82 Neil Simon Playwright
79 George Steinbrenner Owner of the New York Yankees
72 Ray Pillow Country singer
71 Bill Withers R&B singer
70 Ed Bernard Actor
69 Karolyn Grimes Actress ("It's a Wonderful Life")
68 JohnnyFlake Cigar Asylum Inmate
58 Ralph Johnson Rock musician (Earth, Wind and Fire)
57 Domingo Ortiz Rock musician (Widespread Panic)
54 John Waite Rock singer
51 Kirk Pengilly Rock musician (INXS)
49 Teddy Carr Country musician
47 Pam Shriver Tennis Hall of Famer
46 Matt Malley Rock musician (Counting Crows)
38 Al Madrigal Actor
35 Jenica Bergere Actress
34 John Lloyd Young Actor, singer
31 Becki Newton Actress ("Ugly Betty")
24 JE3146 Cigar Asylum Inmate
59 Nathaniel Hawthorne 7/4/1804 - 5/19/1864 American novelist and short story writer
60 Calvin Coolidge 7/4/1872 - 1/5/1933 American 30th president of the U.S.