July 7, 1928

Sliced bread.

July 6, 1957

Rock-n-Roll history is made when 16 year old John Lennon and 15 year old Paul McCartney meet for the first time at St. Peter’s Church Hall.

July 5, 2001

President George W. Bush (R-USA), disturbed by the intelligence reports he’s been receiving on Al-Qaeda planning a large scale attack, directs National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to “figure out what [is] going on domestically.”

That same day, 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta is pulled over for speeding in Delray Beach (!!), FL is only given a warning. Police do not notice there’s a warrant out for his arrest.

July 5, 1975

Arthur Ashe becomes the first black man to win the singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Jimmy Connors. He had won the U.S. Open and the Australian Open earlier in his career. He remains the only black man to win any of these three events.

July 4, 1776

There have actually been quite a few happenings in American history on this day. More than I can reasonably post about. But this one stands out, of course.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

On this day, in 1776, those words, along with a few hundred more that are less well known, but equally important, were approved by the Continental Congress. It’s called the Declaration of Independence, but this was, in fact, a Declaration of War against Great Britain.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Happy Independence Day, America. Take a moment to think about what it’s about, and what those fireworks actually represent.

July 3, 1886

The very first automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen is unveiled to the public.

This gasoline powered automobile was capable of 2/3 HP @ 250 RPM and an astounding 10 miles per hour.

July 2, 1937

Amelia Earhart, Fred Noonan and her Lockheed Electra disappear over the Pacific near Howland Island during her attempt to fly around the world.

It is widely believed that she ran out of fuel and sank into the Pacific, but some contend that instead she may have crashed on Gardner island, now called Nikumaroro.

July 1, 2000

9/11 hijackers Mohammed Atta and Marwan Alshehhi move to Venice, FL and enroll in flight training at Huffman Aviation.

On Vacation

Blogging and tweeting will be light next week. I’ll be vacationing at the beach. I have a few “On This Day” updates already scheduled. I also have a few topics I’ve been meaning to blog about for a while, so they might pop up, but mostly I plan on relaxing and catching up on some reading.

Have a great week and a terrific 4th of July. Remember what it’s all about.