Posted by
Defend America on Saturday, July 04, 2009 10:12:07 AM
July 4,
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. The
declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American
Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts and
marked an ideological expansion of the conflict that would eventually
encourage France's intervention on behalf of the Patriots.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=VideoArticle&id=6948
1803 - The Louisiana Purchase was announced in newspapers. The property
was purchased, by the U.S. from France, was for $15 million (or 3 cents
an acre). The "Corps of Discovery," led by Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark, began the exploration of the territory on May 14, 1804.
July 4,
1826
Death of the founding fathers
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. Both men had been
central in the drafting of the historic document; Jefferson had
authored it, and Adams, who was known as the "colossus of the debate,"
served on the drafting committee and had argued eloquently for the
declaration's passage.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=5148
July 4,
1863
Surrender of Vicksburg
The Confederacy is torn in two when General John C. Pemberton surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Vicksburg.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=2234