Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about July 4th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about July 4th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Barbecued Spareribs Day
- Independence From Meat Day
- Independence Day (United States)
- National Caesar Salad Day
- Jackfruit Day
- Sidewalk Egg Frying Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – July 4
2012: Discovery of Higgs boson particle is announced by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
The existence of the elusive elementary particle in physics, was suggested in the 1960s. The Higgs boson, which is named after Nobel laureate, Peter Higgs, was finally detected by scientists working at the Large Hadron Collider.
1966: Freedom of Information Act in the US is signed into law
The 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law, which allows for the disclosure of government information to the public. It came into effect a year later in 1967.
1946: Philippines gains independence from the United States
The South East Asian country had been ruled for almost 381 years by various colonial powers, starting with the Spanish in the early 16th century.
1865: Alice in Wonderland is published for the first time
The classic fantasy novel was written by author Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. The book recounted the adventures of a curious girl, Alice, who falls into a rabbit hole and meets human-like animals and creatures.
1776: United States Declaration of Independence is adopted in Philadelphia
The statement declared the independence of the 13 British colonies from the British crown. It also announced the creation of a new country called the United States of America. Then handwritten declaration was approved by the Second Continental Congress and was signed by 56 delegates on August 2, 1776.
1945: A liberated Jewish prisoner holds a Nazi soldier at gunpoint, circa 1945.
1943: Fields of the dead at Stalingrad, 1943
1912: John Muir and John Burroughs, 1912
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, July 4
1973: Gackt, Japanese singer-songwriter, musician, producer, actor
1960: Barry Windham, American wrestler
1952: Álvaro Uribe, Colombian politician, 39th President of Colombia
1930: George Steinbrenner, American businessman
1872: Calvin Coolidge, American politician, 30th President of the United States
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, July 4
2011: Otto von Habsburg, Austrian/German son of Charles I of Austria
2008: Jesse Helms, American politician
1934: Marie Curie, Polish chemist, physicist, Nobel Prize laureate
1826: Thomas Jefferson, American politician, 3rd President of the United States
1551: Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell
