TODAY is Independence Day in America and we celebrate the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. It's our cherished symbol of human rights and liberty. And other historical events have happened on the 4ths of July since then:
On July 4, 1802, the U.S. Military Academy officially opened its doors at West Point, N.Y. This photo from West Point archives shows various West Point cadet uniforms.
On July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years to-the-day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, both former presidents and intense competitors John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on Independence Day.
On July 4, 1831, James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States died.
On July 4, 1872, Calvin Coolidgewas born and would become the 30th president of the United States, when he got to put on an Indian headdress and pose for this picture. Actually in 1924, President Coolidge signed a bill granting Native Americans full citizenship in their native country (ahem). In the photo left, Coolidge was made a chief of the Sioux by Henry Standing Bear.
On July 4, 1919, Jack Dempsey defeated Jess Willard in Toledo, Ohio, to win the world heavyweight boxing title.
On July 4, 1939, 'Iron Horse' Lou Gehrig said goodbye to fans at New York's Yankee Stadium.
On July 4, 1959, the American 49-star flag was unfurled, honoring Alaskan statehood. Pictured are Alaska natives pinning on that 49th star.
On July 4, 1960, one year later, it was the 50-star flag, in honor of Hawaiian statehood. Pictured, right, is 6-year-old Leona Ng wearing a ti leaf skirt, sitting on a block of ice and holding a 50-star flag. Her photo was printed around the world.
On July 4, 1966, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act.
On July 4, 1976, Israeli commandos raided Uganda's Entebbe airport, rescuing nearly all of the passengers and crew of an Air France jetliner seized by pro-Palestinian hijackers.
On July 4, 2008, Sen. Jesse Helms died in Raleigh, N.C. A conservative who spent three combative decades in Congress, Helms was racist and homophobic. Some said he camouflaged his divisive hatred in fake, aw-shucks populism, while serving the dictates of the wealthy.
And perhaps the sweetest is the July 4th birthday of presidential daughter Malia Obama, 12 years old.
CLICK AND READ "A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR 4TH OF JULY AND FREEDOM"
CLICK AND READ "DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: CHERISHED SYMBOL OF LIBERTY DRAFTED BY THOMAS JEFFERSON"
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