July 7th
1846
Commodore John D. Sloat occupied Monterey and declared California annexed to the United States.
1898
The United States annexed Hawaii.
1928
Sliced bread is sold for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri. It is described as “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped".
1930
Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser begins construction of the Boulder Dam (now known as Hoover Dam).
1930
Arthur Conan Doyle a Scottish author most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes dies at age 71.
1981
President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor for the Supreme Court.
2006
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, artist and one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett died at age 60.
Birthdays
96 Pinetop Perkins Blues pianist
82 Charlie Louvin Country singer
82 Doc Severinsen Bandleader
76 David McCullough Author
69 Ringo Starr Rock musician (The Beatles)
65 Warren Entner Singer-musician (The Grass Roots)
64 Jim Rodford Rock musician
63 Joe Spano Actor
62 David Hodo Singer (The Village People)
62 Linda Williams Country singer
60 Shelley Duvall Actress
58 Roz Ryan Actress
50 Billy Campbell Actor
47 Mark White Rock musician (Spin Doctors)
46 Vonda Shepard Singer, songwriter ("Ally McBeal")
43 Jim Gaffigan Actor, comedian
41 Jorja Fox Actress ("C.S.I.")
40 Cree Summer Actress
37 Kirsten Vangsness Actress ("Criminal Minds")
36 Troy Garity Actor
33 Hamish Linklater Actor
29 Michelle Kwan Figure skater
27 Gabbie Nolen Country singer
75 Satchel Paige 7/7/1906 - 6/8/1982 Hall of Fame baseball player
53 Ezzard Charles 7/7/1921 - 5/28/1975 American world heavyweight boxing champion (1950-1)