What Happened on July 4?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON JULY 4

Explore the most important historical events that happened on July 4, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Henry David Thoreau

Year: 1845

Henry David Thoreau moves into a small cabin on Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau's account of his two years there, Walden, will become a touchstone of the environmental movement.

Walt Whitman

Year: 1855

The first edition of Walt Whitman's book of poems, Leaves of Grass, is published in Brooklyn.

Lewis Carroll

Year: 1862

Lewis Carroll tells Alice Liddell a story that would grow into Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequels.

Retreat from Gettysburg

Year: 1863

American Civil War: Retreat from Gettysburg: The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee withdraws from the battlefield after losing the Battle of Gettysburg, signaling an end to his last invasion of the North.

Iowa Territory

Year: 1838

The Iowa Territory is organized.

Grand Junction Railway

Year: 1837

Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway, opens between Birmingham and Liverpool.

Samuel Francis Smith

Year: 1831

Samuel Francis Smith writes "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" for the Boston, Massachusetts July 4 festivities.

Durham University

Year: 1832

Durham University established by Act of Parliament; the first recognized university to be founded in England since Cambridge over 600 years earlier.

BIRTHS ON JULY 4

Discover famous people and historical figures born on July 4, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Chuck Tanner

Year of birth: 1928

Chuck Tanner, American baseball player and manager (died 2011)

Jassem Alwan

Year of birth: 1928

Jassem Alwan, Syrian Army Officer (died 2018)

Gina Lollobrigida

Year of birth: 1927

Gina Lollobrigida, Italian actress and photographer (died 2023)

Neil Simon

Year of birth: 1927

Neil Simon, American playwright and screenwriter (died 2018)

Alfredo Di Stéfano

Year of birth: 1926

Alfredo Di Stéfano, Argentinian-Spanish footballer and coach (died 2014)

Teofisto Guingona Jr.

Year of birth: 1928

Teofisto Guingona Jr., Filipino politician; 11th Vice President of the Philippines

Giampiero Boniperti

Year of birth: 1928

Giampiero Boniperti, Italian footballer and politician (died 2021)

Peter Richardson (cricketer)

Year of birth: 1931

Peter Richardson, English cricketer (died 2017)

DEATHS ON JULY 4

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on July 4, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

Clyde Kennard

Year of death: 1963

Clyde Kennard, American activist and martyr (born 1927)

Pingali Venkayya

Year of death: 1963

Pingali Venkayya, Indian activist, designed the Flag of India (born 1876)

Bernard Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg

Year of death: 1963

Bernard Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg, New Zealand general and politician, 7th Governor-General of New Zealand (born 1889)

Gaby Morlay

Year of death: 1964

Gaby Morlay, French actress and singer (born 1893)

Harold Stirling Vanderbilt

Year of death: 1970

Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, American sailor and businessman (born 1884)

Henri Decoin

Year of death: 1969

Henri Decoin, French director and screenwriter (born 1890)

François Brandt

Year of death: 1949

François Brandt, Dutch rower and engineer (born 1874)

Monteiro Lobato

Year of death: 1948

Monteiro Lobato, Brazilian journalist and author (born 1882)

HOLIDAYS ON JULY 4

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on July 4 around the world.

Independence Day (United States)

July 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: July 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Liberation Day

Liberation Day (Northern Mariana Islands)

Liberation Day (Rwanda)

Republic Day (Philippines)

Andrew of Crete

Christian feast day: Andrew of Crete

Ulrich of Augsburg

Christian feast day: Ulrich of Augsburg

Catherine Jarrige

Christian feast day: Blessed Catherine Jarrige

July