This Day in History - July 2nd

1937: Amelia Earhart lost

The Lockheed aircraft carrying legendary American aviator Amelia Earhart and her co-pilot Frederick Noonan is reported missing. In 1928, the 30-year-old Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and in 1932 she became the first female pilot to cross it solo. In 1937, she set off around the world, but she disappeared near the end of her global journey somewhere between New Guinea and Howland Island in the remote South Pacific. Radio operators picked up a signal that she was low on fuel which was the last the world ever heard from Earhart.

Also On This Day

2005

The global music event Live 8 takes place in an attempt to increase awareness about poverty in Africa.

2001

Barry George has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of television presenter Jill Dando.

1992

The IRA admits to killing three men who they claim were informing on their activities.

1990

More than 1,000 Muslim pilgrims are killed in a human stampede in a pedestrian tunnel leading to the holy city of Mecca.

1985

In the Soviet Union, Andrei Gromyko becomes chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.

1970

In England, police seize one of the largest cache of weapons to date in London.

1964

American President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Bill.

1947

The Soviet Union rejects America’s offer of aid through the Marshall Plan.

1944

The Second World War: As part of Operation Gardening, British and American planes drop mines in the Danube River from the air, American aircraft also drop bombs and leaflets on German-occupied Budapest.

1917

The First World War: Greece declares war on Germany and her allies.

1900

The first trial flight of a Zeppelin airship takes place in Germany.

1881

James Garfield, 20th President of the United States, is shot in Washington and dies in September.

1839

The African slaves on the ship, the Amistad, rise up and rebel against their captors.

1776

In America, the Second Continental Congress votes for independence from Britain.

1644

English Civil War: The Battle of Marston Moor. The first victory of the war for the Parliamentary forces with Cromwell’s Army defeating the Royalist Army.