This Day in History - July 4th

1776: United States declares independence

After a decade of economic conflict with Great Britain, the 13 colonies answer King George III's flat refusal of political reform with a call for revolution. On 4 July 1776, more than 14 months after the first volleys of the war were fired at Lexington, the Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. Seven years later, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris with Britain, the United States officially became a free and independent nation.

Also On This Day

2006

In America, the Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on a mission to the International Space Station.

1997

The unmanned American space probe 'Pathfinder' lands on Mars.

1995

Prime Minister John Major retains the leadership of the Conservative Party after winning a ballot of Conservative M.P.s designed to put an end to attempts to destabilise Major’s leadership of the party.

1985

In England, 13-year-old Ruth Lawrence graduates from Oxford University with a first in Mathematics.

1976

Israeli commandos free more than 100 hostages being held at Entebbe Airport in Uganda following a mid-air hi-jack by Arab terrorists.

1968

British yachtsman Alex Rose brings his ship, Lively Lady, into Portsmouth Harbour after completing his single-handed voyage around the world.

1954

Food rationing ends in Britain.

1950

The first broadcast of the American funded Radio Free Europe.

1946

The Philippines gains independence from America.

1918

Mehmed VI is crowned Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

1894

The Republic of Hawaii is proclaimed.

1863

American Civil War: Union forces defeat the Confederates at the Battle of Vicksburg.

1840

The Cunard Shipping Line begins its first Atlantic crossing when the paddle steamer Britannia sails from Liverpool en route to Halifax in Canada. The voyage takes 14 days.

1826

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents of the United States, respectively, die on this day, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

1187

Ayyubid dynasty under Saladin defeats the army of Guy of Lusignan, King of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin.