GMT Salute to America Independence Day

Today in History: July 4

1712 12 slaves are executed for starting an uprising in New York that killed nine whites.

1776 The amended Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson, is approved and signed by John Hancock--President of the Continental Congress--and Charles Thomson, Congress secretary. The state of New York abstains from signing.

1817 Construction begins on the Erie Canal, to connect Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

1855Walt Whitman publishes the first edition of Leaves of Grass at his own expense.

1862 Charles Dodgson first tells the story of Alice's adventures down the rabbit hole during a picnic along the Thames.

1863 The Confederate town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant.

1881 Billy the Kid is shot dead in New Mexico.

1946 The United States grants the Philippine Islands their independence.

1960 The 50-star flag makes its debut in Philadelphia.

1976 An Israeli raid at Entebbe airport in Uganda rescues 105 hostages.


Born on July 4

1804 Nathaniel Hawthorne, American writer (The Scarlet Letter).

1872 Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States (1923-1929).


JOTD

Revolutionary War

During the Revolutionary war, a Lieutenant asked a soldier why he was falling back during a really fierce battle. "Didn't you hear me say that we're outnumbered 4 to 1 ?" The soldier replied, "I got my four Sir."