This Day in History

Lou Gehrig

 

Here are some notable events that have occurred on July 4th in history:

1. 1776: The Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the thirteen American colonies' independence from Great Britain.

2. 1803: The Louisiana Purchase was announced, in which the United States acquired a vast territory from France, doubling its size.

3. 1826: The 50th-anniversary celebration of Independence Day marked the deaths of two former U.S. Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both of whom were signatories of the Declaration of Independence.

4. 1863: The Battle of Vicksburg ended during the American Civil War, with the Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant capturing the city, a crucial victory for the Union.

5. 1872: Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was born on July 4th, 1872.

6. 1939: Lou Gehrig, the New York Yankees' baseball legend, delivered his famous farewell speech at Yankee Stadium, where he declared himself "the luckiest man on the face of the earth" despite suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

7. 1960: The 50-star U.S. flag was raised for the first time over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., after Hawaii became the 50th state.

8. 2004: The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) was laid at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City, marking the beginning of reconstruction after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

These are just a few examples of significant events that have occurred on July 4th throughout history. This date holds a special place in American history as the nation's Independence Day and continues to be celebrated with enthusiasm, patriotic pride, and various festivities across the United States. For specific events that have occurred on July 4th in the year you are interested in, it's best to refer to historical records and up-to-date sources.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model