4 July
Today is Independence Day in the United States, celebrating the Declaration of Independence (in 1776) of the United States from Great Britain.
What happened today in history?
- 1827 – Abolition of slavery in New York State.
- 1837 – World’s first long distance railway opens between Birmingham and Liverpool.
- 1903 – Dorothy Levitt is the first woman to take part in a ‘motor race’.
- 1943 – Battle of Kursk (World War 2) begins.
- 1997 – Pathfinder space probe lands on Mars.
Who was born today?
- 1790 – George Everest – Welsh geographer (gave name to Mount Everest).
- 1845 – Thomas John Barnardo – Irish philanthropist.
- 1872 – Calvin Coolidge – 30th President of the United States.
Who died today?
- 1826 – John Adams – 2nd President of the United States.
- 1826 – Thomas Jefferson – 3rd President of the United States.
- 1831 – James Monroe – 5th President of the United States.
- 1934 – Marie Curie – French-Polish scientist.
- 2003 – Barry White – American singer.