July 2023 – Page 3 – History of the Day

Archive: Jul 2023

The first full-length all-talking motion picture, “Lights of New York”, premiered in New York City.

July 6, 1928: "Lights of New York," the first-ever all-talking motion picture, made its premiere at the renowned Strand Theatre. This groundbreaking event marked a major milestone in the film industry, revolutionizing the way stories were told on the big screen.

Seinfeld aired for the first time

July 5, 1989: The American television series, Seinfeld, aired for the first time on NBC. The pilot episode started one of the smallest sitcom orders in television history, with only 5 episodes total in its first season. Seinfeld (season 1) Season one of Seinfeld, an American television series created by…

Twenty-Sixth Amendment certified

July 5, 1971: After North Carolina ratified the twenty-sixth amendment on July 1st, 1971, the necessary three-fourths of the states’ ratification was obtained for the amendment to become a part of the Constitution. The Administrator of General Services, Robert Kunzig, certified its adoption alongside President Nixon. The amendment protects voting…

Midway Atoll discovered

July 5, 1859: Captain N.C. Brooks sighted what is now known as the Midway Atoll while aboard the sealing ship Gambia. He named the islands the Middlebrook Islands and claimed them for the United States under the Guano Islands Act of 1856. The atoll was the first Pacific island annexed…

Statue of Liberty gifted by France

July 4, 1864: The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the American people by France. The colossal statue was presented to Levi Morton, the American minister to France at the time and future Vice President, in a ceremony in Paris. Later the statue was disassembled and transported to America. The…

Death of two American Founding Fathers

July 4, 1826: On the 50th anniversary of American Independence, two former U.S. Presidents and signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, passed away. Jefferson died first at the age of 83 at his home in Monticello, Virginia, and several hours later, Adams died at the…

Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776: The American colonies officially separated from Great Britain when the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. The anniversary of this historic event is marked by Independence Day, which became a federal holiday in 1870. Independence Day On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental…

Battle of Gettysburg ends

July 3, 1863: The bloodiest battle of the American Civil War was fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863 with 51,000 casualties. The Battle of Gettysburg ended with a Union victory under General George Meade and the Army of the Potomac. Battle of Gettysburg Ends: On This Day,…

Wyoming Massacre

July 3, 1778: During the American Revolution, as the British intensified their attacks in the West, a group of 360 American settlers, men, women, and children, were massacred by a force of 1,000 loyalists and Iroquois allies led by Colonel John Butler. Wyoming Massacre Wyoming Massacre, (July 3, 1778),…

George Washington assumes command of the Continental Army

July 3, 1775: Despite being commissioned by the Continental Congress as Commander in Chief on June 19, 1775, George Washington didn’t assume command of the Continental Army until he reached Cambridge, Massachusetts, on July 3. He was selected over other candidates, such as John Hancock, based on his military experience…