July 5 - This Day in History

July 5 : General Interest
1946: Bikini introduced

On July 5, 1946, French designer Louis Reard unveils a daring two-piece swimsuit at the Piscine Molitor, a popular swimming pool in Paris... read more


American Revolution
1775 : Congress adopts Olive Branch Petition
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-adopts-olive-branch-petition


Automotive
1990 : Automotive safety expert Amos Neyhart dies at age 91
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/automotive-safety-expert-amos-neyhart-dies-at-age-91


Civil War
1861 : Union and Rebel forces clash at Carthage, Missouri
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-carthage-missouri


Cold War
1959 : U.S. visitors to Soviet exhibition in New York express their feelings
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-visitors-to-soviet-exhibition-in-new-york-express-their-feelings


Crime
1921 : Sox accused of throwing World Series
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sox-accused-of-throwing-world-series


Disaster
1970 : Pilot error causes crash in Toronto
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pilot-error-causes-crash-in-toronto


General Interest
1865 : Salvation Army founded
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/salvation-army-founded

1950 : First U.S. fatality in the Korean War
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-us-fatality-in-the-korean-war

1996 : First successful cloning of a mammal
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-successful-cloning-of-a-mammal

2003 : World Health Organization declares SARS contained worldwide
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/world-health-organization-declares-sars-contained-worldwide


Hollywood
1963 : Edie Falco born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/edie-falco-born


Literary
1880 : George Bernard Shaw quits his job
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-bernard-shaw-quits-his-job


Music
1954 : Elvis Presley records "That's All Right (Mama)"
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/elvis-presley-records-quotthats-all-right-mamaquot


Old West
1896 : Bill Doolin escapes from jail
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bill-doolin-escapes-from-jail


Presidential
1865 : Conspirators court-martialed for plotting to kill Lincoln, Grant and Andrew Johnson
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/conspirators-court-martialed-for-plotting-to-kill-lincoln-grant-and-andrew-johnson


Sports
1975 : Ashe becomes first black man to win Wimbledon
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ashe-becomes-first-black-man-to-win-wimbledon


Vietnam War
1966 : Governors express support for U.S. global commitments
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/governors-express-support-for-us-global-commitments


World War I
1914 : Germany gives Austria-Hungary blank check assurance
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-gives-austria-hungary-blank-check-assurance


World War II
1940 : United States passes Export Control Act
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-passes-export-control-act

July 4 - This Day in History

July 4 : General Interest
1776 : U.S. declares independence

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king... read more


American Revolution
1776 : American colonies declare independence
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-colonies-declare-independence


Automotive
1957 : Fiat unveils the "Nuova Cinquecento"
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fiat-unveils-the-nuova-cinquecento


Civil War
1863 : Confederates surrender Vicksburg
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/surrender-of-vicksburg


Cold War
1987 : Soviets rock for peace
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviets-rock-for-peace


Crime
1954 : A sensationalized murder trial inspires The Fugitive
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-sensationalized-murder-trial-inspires-the-fugitive


Disaster
1911 : Heat wave strikes Northeast
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/heat-wave-strikes-northeast


General Interest
1826 : Death of the founding fathers
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/death-of-the-founding-fathers

1997 : Pathfinder lands on Mars
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ipathfinderi-lands-on-mars


Hollywood
1927 : Playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/playwright-and-screenwriter-neil-simon-born


Literary
1855 : First edition of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass is published
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-edition-of-walt-whitmans-leaves-of-grass-is-published


Music
1976 : The Clash play their first live gig
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-clash-play-their-first-live-gig


Old West
1804 : Lewis and Clark celebrate July 4
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lewis-and-clark-celebrate-july-4


Presidential
1826 : Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-jefferson-and-john-adams-die


Sports
1919 : Dempsey defeats Willard
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dempsey-defeats-willard


Vietnam War
1963 : South Vietnamese officers plot coup
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/south-vietnamese-officers-plot-coup

1968 : Thieu vows to wipe out corruption
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thieu-vows-to-wipe-out-corruption


World War I
1917 : U.S. troops march through Paris to Lafayette's tomb
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-troops-march-through-paris-to-lafayettes-tomb


World War II
1943 : Polish general fighting for justice dies tragically
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/polish-general-fighting-for-justice-dies-tragically

July 3 - This Day in History

July 3 : General Interest
1863: Battle of Gettysburg ends

On the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's last attempt at breaking the Union line ends in disastrous failure, bringing the most decisive battle of the American Civil War to an end... read more


American Revolution
1775 : Washington takes command of Continental Army
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-takes-command-of-continental-army


Automotive
1985 : "Back to the Future" released, features 1981 DeLorean DMC-12
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/back-to-the-future-released-features-1981-delorean-dmc-12


Civil War
1863 : Pickett leads his infamous charge at Gettysburg
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pickett-leads-his-infamous-charge-at-gettysburg


Cold War
1957 : Khrushchev consolidates his power
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/khrushchev-consolidates-his-power


Crime
1989 : A mother is arrested and accused of killing her four children
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-mother-is-arrested-and-accused-of-killing-her-four-children


Disaster
1970 : Charter jet crashes mysteriously
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/charter-jet-crashes-mysteriously


General Interest
1775 : Washington assumes command
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-assumes-command

1988 : U.S. warship downs Iranian passenger jet
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-warship-downs-iranian-passenger-jet


Hollywood
1962 : Tom Cruise born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tom-cruise-born

2012: TV legend Andy Griffith dies
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tv-legend-andy-griffith-dies


Literary
1908 : M.F.K. Fisher is born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mfk-fisher-is-born


Music
1969 : Brian Jones and Jim Morrison die, two years apart to the day
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brian-jones-and-jim-morrison-die-two-years-apart-to-the-day


Old West
1890 : Idaho becomes 43rd state
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/idaho-becomes-43rd-state


Presidential
1958 : Eisenhower initiates federal flood-control program
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/eisenhower-initiates-federal-flood-control-program


Sports
1974 : Mike Marshall relieves Tommy John to pitch in 13th consecutive game
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mike-marshall-relieves-tommy-john-to-pitch-in-13th-consecutive-game


Vietnam War
1968 : U.S. command announces new high in casualties
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-command-announces-new-high-in-casualties


World War I
1918 : Mohammed V, sultan of Turkey, dies
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mohammed-v-sultan-of-turkey-dies


World War II
1940 : Operation Catapult is launched
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-catapult-is-launched

July 2 - This Day in History

July 2 : General Interest
1964: Johnson signs Civil Rights Act

On this day in 1964, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs into law the historic Civil Rights Act in a nationally televised ceremony at the White House... read more


American Revolution
1776 : Congress votes for independence
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-votes-for-independence


Automotive
1992 : Chevrolet builds 1 millionth Corvette
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/chevrolet-builds-1-millionth-corvette


Civil War
1863 : Fighting continues at the Battle of Gettysburg
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-second-day-of-battle-at-gettysburg


Cold War
1947 : Soviet Union rejects Marshall Plan assistance
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviet-union-rejects-marshall-plan-assistance


Crime
1881 : President Garfield shot
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-garfield-shot


Disaster
1990 : Pilgrim stampede kills 1,400
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pilgrim-stampede-kills-1400


General Interest
1839 : Mutiny on the Amistad slave ship
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mutiny-on-the-iamistadi-slave-ship

1900 : Zeppelin demonstrates airship
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/zeppelin-demonstrates-airship

1937 : Amelia Earhart disappears
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/amelia-earhart-disappears


Hollywood
1997 : Men in Black premieres
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/men-in-black-premieres


Literary
1992 : Stephen Hawkings breaks British bestseller records
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/stephen-hawkings-breaks-british-bestseller-records


Music
1977 : "Gonna Fly Now (Theme From 'Rocky')" is the #1 song on the U.S. pop charts
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/quotgonna-fly-now-theme-from-rockyquot-is-the-1-song-on-the-us-pop-charts


Old West
1809 : Chief Tecumseh urges Indians to unite against whites
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/chief-tecumseh-urges-indians-to-unite-against-whites


Presidential
1881 : President Garfield is shot
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-garfield-is-shot


Sports
1938 : Helen Wills Moody wins final Wimbledon
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/helen-wills-moody-wins-final-wimbledon


Vietnam War
1964 : Republican Congressional leaders attack Johnson's policy
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/republican-congressional-leaders-attack-johnsons-policy


World War I
1917 : Greece declares war on Central Powers
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/greece-declares-war-on-central-powers


World War II
1944 : American bombers deluge Budapest, in more ways than one
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-bombers-deluge-budapest-in-more-ways-than-one

July 1 - This Day in History

July 1 : General Interest
1997: Hong Kong returned to China

At midnight on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong reverts back to Chinese rule in a ceremony attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles of Wales, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright... read more


American Revolution
1775 : Congress resolves to forge Indian alliances
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-resolves-to-forge-indian-alliances


Automotive
2005 : Last Ford Thunderbird produced
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/last-ford-thunderbird-produced


Civil War
1863 : The Battle of Gettysburg begins
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-gettysburg-begins


Cold War
1947 : "Mr. X" article appears in Foreign Affairs
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mr-x-article-appears-in-iforeign-affairsi


Crime
2003 : Kobe Bryant accuser goes to police
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kobe-bryant-accuser-goes-to-police


Disaster
2002 : Two planes collide over Germany
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/two-planes-collide-over-germany


General Interest
1867 : Canadian Independence Day
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/canadian-independence-day

1898 : The Battle of San Juan Hill
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-san-juan-hill

1916 : Battle of the Somme begins
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-somme-begins


Hollywood
1984 : PG-13 rating debuts
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pg-13-rating-debuts


Literary
1804 : George Sand is born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-sand-is-born


Music
1979 : The first Sony Walkman goes on sale
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-first-sony-walkman-goes-on-sale


Old West
1887 : Gunfighter Clay Allison killed
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gunfighter-clay-allison-killed


Presidential
1916 : Dwight D. Eisenhower marries "his Mamie"
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dwight-d-eisenhower-marries-his-mamie


Sports
1951 : Feller hurls third no-hitter
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/feller-hurls-third-no-hitter


Vietnam War
1965 : Ball recommends compromise in Vietnam
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ball-recommends-compromise-in-vietnam

1966 : Bombing of North Vietnam continues
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bombing-of-north-vietnam-continues


World War II
1942 : The Battle of El Alamein begins
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-el-alamein-begins

June 30 - This Day in History

June 30 : General Interest
1936: Gone with the Wind published

Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, one of the best-selling novels of all time and the basis for a blockbuster 1939 movie, is published on this day in 1936... read more


American Revolution
1775 : Congress impugns Parliament and adopts Articles of War
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-impugns-parliament-and-adopts-articles-of-war


Automotive
1953 : First Corvette built
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-corvette-built


Civil War
1862 : Fighting continues in the Seven Days' Battles
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-glendale-white-oak-swamp


Cold War
1950 : Truman orders U.S. forces to Korea
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/truman-orders-forces-to-korea


Crime
1981 : A first-time offender ends up on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-first-time-offender-ends-up-on-the-fbis-ten-most-wanted-list


Disaster
1900 : Fire breaks out at New Jersey pier
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fire-breaks-out-at-new-jersey-pier


General Interest
1520 : Spanish retreat from Aztec capital
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spanish-retreat-from-aztec-capital

1859 : Daredevil crosses Niagara Falls on tightrope
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/daredevil-crosses-niagara-falls-on-tightrope

1934 : Night of the Long Knives
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/night-of-the-long-knives

1971 : Soviet cosmonauts perish in reentry disaster
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviet-cosmonauts-perish-in-reentry-disaster


Literary
2003 : Make Way for Ducklings author Robert McCloskey dies
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/make-way-for-ducklings-author-robert-mccloskey-dies


Music
1975 : Cher marries Greg Allman
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cher-marries-greg-allman


Old West
1876 : Soldiers are evacuated from the Little Big Horn by steamboat
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soldiers-are-evacuated-from-the-little-big-horn-by-steamboat


Presidential
1812 : Madison makes urgent call to commission more officers to fight the British
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/madison-makes-urgent-call-to-commission-more-officers-to-fight-the-british


Sports
1962 : Sandy Koufax pitches first no-hitter
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sandy-koufax-pitches-first-no-hitter


Vietnam War
1967 : Thieu becomes president
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thieu-becomes-president

1970 : Cooper-Church Amendment passes in Senate
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cooper-church-amendment-passes-in-senate


World War I
1914 : European powers maintain focus despite killings in Sarajevo
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/european-powers-maintain-focus-despite-killings-in-sarajevo


World War II
1943 : Operation Cartwheel is launched
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-cartwheel-is-launched

Begging - the Beggers