July 4 is a special day, the Independence Day of the United States of America. This day deserves great recognition and designation. Marking the Declaration of Independence on one side, this day witnesses many more historical events, which have been crucial milestones in the past. Let us read all about them one by one.
1776: US Congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Britain
The amended Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson, is approved and signed by John Hancock–President of the Continental Congress–and Charles Thomson, Congress secretary, severing their political connections to Great Britain. The state of New York abstains from signing.
1803: The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people by President Thomas Jefferson
Signed on April 30, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty was announced to the Americans on July 4, 1803. The Treaty was signed at the Hotel Tubeuf in Paris. From this day onwards, the United States took their place among the powers of the first rank.
1817: Construction begins on the Erie Canal, to connect Lake Erie and the Hudson River
The construction of the Erie Canal began on July 4, 1817, at Rome, New York. It was built to create a navigable route from New York City and the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. It was first used on May 17, 1821, but was finally completed on October 26, 1825.
1826: Two of America’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died
Both the founding fathers of America died on the same day within five hours of each other. The two former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were once a fellow Patriots and then adversaries.
1831: “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)” is 1st sung in Boston
The words of this song were written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831. Its melody is much older and has been used for songs in many countries. It was first sung in public on July 4, 1831, at a children’s concert at the Park Street Church, Boston, and published in 1832.
1831: The fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, dies at the age of 73
President James Monroe was succeeded by John Quincy Adams. He was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825.
1895: The poem “America the Beautiful” is first published
Katherine Lee Bates originally wrote the words as a poem, “Pikes Peak”, first published in the Fourth of July edition of the church periodical The Congregationalist in 1895, which was later converted to “America the Beautiful”
1931: Novelist James Joyce and Nora Barnacle are married in London after being together for 26 years
Joyce met Barnacle on June 10, 1904. After living together in Dublin for 26 years, they married on July 4, 1931, continued until Joyce’s death. James was an Irish novelist, short story writer, poet, teacher, and literary critic.
1934: Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard patents the chain-reaction design for the atomic bomb
Leo conceived the nuclear chain reaction in 1933, patented the idea of a nuclear fission reactor in 1934, and in late 1939 wrote the letter for Albert Einstein’s signature that resulted in the Manhattan Project that built the atomic bomb.
1934: Boxer Joe Louis wins his first professional fight
Joe Louis had his first professional fight on July 4, 1934. Within 12 months he had knocked out Primo Carnera, the first of six previous or subsequent heavyweight champions who would become his victims; the others were Max Baer, Jack Sharkey, Braddock, the German champion Max Schmeling, and Jersey Joe Walcott.
1960: The 50-star flag makes its debut in Philadelphia
The 50-star U.S. flag was first raised in Valley Forge and Philly on July 4, 1960. It was displayed at the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall on July 1, 1960. It was a half-century ago, in Baltimore.
2017: North Korea tests first successful intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan
The leader Pyongyang claimed to have successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. It was noted that it reached an altitude of 2,802km and flew for 39 minutes.
