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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.

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.

1187

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

1942

Prince Michael of Kent.

1928

Italian film actress Gina Lollobrigida.

1927

American playwright Neil Simon.

1898

English actress Gertrude Lawrence.

1885

American film producer Louis B Mayer is born in Russia. Forms MGM with co-producer Samuel Goldwyn.

1847

American circus impresario James Anthony Bailey. Teams up with Phineas Barnum to produce the USA's most popular circus.

1845

Irish philanthropist Thomas John Barnardo born in Dublin.

1807

Italian military leader Giuseppe Garibaldi.

1804

American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.

1753

French balloonist Jean Pierre Blanchard. In 1785 becomes the first man to cross the English Channel by balloon.

1753

French balloonist Jean Pierre Blanchard. In 1785 becomes the first man to cross the English Channel by balloon.

1943

Polish prime minister Wladyslaw Sikorski, leader of the Polish Government in exile during World War II, is killed in an aircrash.

1934

Polish-born chemist and physicist Marie Curie. Winner of two Nobel Prizes for her work in France, much of it with her French scientist husband Pierre Curie.

1881

American outlaw William H Bonney, known as Billy the Kid, is shot dead by lawman Pat Garrett.

1831

5th American President James Monroe (1817-1825).

1826

2nd American President John Adams (1797-1801).

1826

3rd American President Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809).