July 4, 2024

Historic Independence Day Moments and Revolutionary Discoveries - Dive into July 4th

Stephanie McGregor
July 04, 2024

TDIH - This Day In History

July 4, 2024

Curated by Stephanie McGregor

On This Day: Notable Historical Events

1776 - Declaration of Independence: The Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, marking the birth of the United States of America. This pivotal document, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, proclaimed the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule. Read more here (Encyclopedia Britannica) (Wikipedia).

1054 - Crab Nebula Supernova: Chinese astronomers observed a supernova in the constellation Taurus, which was visible in daylight for several months. This event led to the formation of the Crab Nebula, an important astronomical discovery. More details here (Wikipedia).

1863 - Siege of Vicksburg: The Siege of Vicksburg, a crucial battle in the American Civil War, concluded with a decisive victory for Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant. This victory, coupled with the Battle of Gettysburg, marked a turning point in the war. Further reading here (Wikipedia).

1884 - Statue of Liberty: The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor. This iconic symbol of freedom and democracy was a gift from France to the United States. Learn more here (Wikipedia).

1954 - First Nuclear Power Plant: The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union became the world's first nuclear power station to generate electricity for a power grid, marking the beginning of the nuclear power industry. Details can be found here (Wikipedia).

Famous Birthdays

1872 - Calvin Coolidge: The 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, was born on this day. Known for his quiet demeanor and pro-business policies, Coolidge led the nation during the Roaring Twenties. Learn more about him here (Encyclopedia Britannica).

1902 - Meyer Lansky: Notorious American organized crime figure Meyer Lansky, known as the "Mob's Accountant," was born on this day. He played a significant role in the development of the National Crime Syndicate in the United States. Read more here (Wikipedia).

Trivia and Fun Facts

1881 - Tuskegee Institute Opens: Booker T. Washington founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, an institution dedicated to the education and vocational training of African Americans. More about this event here (Encyclopedia Britannica).
1960 - 50-Star U.S. Flag: The current design of the United States flag, featuring 50 stars representing each state, was officially adopted on this day following Hawaii's admission as the 50th state in 1959. Learn more here (Wikipedia).

Stay tuned for more daily historical insights with "TDIH- This Day In History." See you tomorrow!

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