July 2023 – Page 2 – History of the Day

Archive: Jul 2023

General John Hunt Morgan captures Tompkinsville, Kentucky

July 9, 1862: Morgan’s Raiders embarked on their raid into Kentucky, having crossed over from Tennessee. They launched an attack on the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry stationed at a USA garrison. During the assault, the Raiders managed to capture 30 soldiers who were retreating, while also causing significant damage by destroying…

Declaration of Independence is read to George Washington’s troops in New York

July 9, 1776: On July 9th, in New York, Washington had the Declaration read to his gathered troops. Later that night, the Americans took down a bronze and lead statue of King George III (1738-1820), situated at the Bowling Green’s base on Broadway, symbolizing their defiance. Washington’s own copy of…

The orbiter Atlantis was launched on the last space shuttle mission.

July 8, 2011: STS-135, the last flight of the orbiter Atlantis, marked the grand finale of the Space Shuttle program. This historic event, documented by NASA, commemorates the culmination of an era in space exploration. The final mission, undertaken by the Space Shuttle Atlantis, was significant in paving the way…

Journalist Charles Henry Dow published the first issue of The Wall Street Journal.

July 8, 1889: During the 1880s, Dow ventured into journalism, relocating to New York City and joining a financial news service as a reporter. Collaborating with Edward D. Jones in 1882, Dow co-founded Dow Jones & Company. This enterprise provided Wall Street financial institutions with timely bulletins, known as “flimsies”…

Liberty Bell tolls to announce Declaration of Independence

July 8, 1776: The Liberty Bell rang out in Philadelphia, symbolizing the announcement of the Declaration of Independence. The bell’s toll served as a powerful signal to the city’s residents, gathering them to hear the historic document being read aloud. This event marked a significant moment in American history, signifying…

Sandra Day O’Connor nominated to Supreme Court

July 7, 1981: President Reagan fulfilled his campaign promise by nominating Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court. She was selected to replace Justice Potter Stewart, who was retiring from his position as an Eisenhower appointee. Among a pool of approximately twenty-four male and female candidates, Reagan chose O'Connor as…

Building of Hoover Dam begins

July 7, 1930: Construction began on the Hoover Dam, an engineering marvel located on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. The ambitious project was undertaken to address the need for water storage, flood control, and electricity generation in the southwestern United States.

Hawaiian Islands annexed by the United States

July 7, 1898: House Joint Resolution 259, also known as the "Newlands Resolution," was approved by Congress and subsequently signed into law by President McKinley. This resolution marked the official annexation of the Hawaiian islands by the United States. Following this event, Sanford Dole assumed the role of the first…

American tennis player Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus to win her first Wimbledon singles title

July 6, 2002: Serena Williams surpassed her sister and claimed the top spot as the world's No. 1 tennis player. She achieved this feat by defeating Venus Williams in straight sets in the finals of the French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open. Serena maintained her dominance by securing the Wimbledon…

Paul McCartney met John Lennon for the first time

July 6, 1957: The encounter occurred when Lennon's band, The Quarrymen, were performing at the St. Peter's Church fete in Liverpool. McCartney was introduced to Lennon through a mutual friend. This brief meeting marked the beginning of an extraordinary partnership that would shape the course of popular music. Little did…