Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress 250 years ago today (July 4 1776)

1770s, American Revolutionary War


Video: 'The Declaration of Independence & Birth of the United States | The American Revolution | PBS'

(Thursday, July 4, 1776, afternoon; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Continental Congress meeting at Philadelphia today ratified the Declaration of Independence, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer under British rule. Continue reading Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress 250 years ago today (July 4 1776) →

‘Never Gonna Fall in Love Again’ by Eric Carmen peaks at #11 in USA 50 years ago today (Jul 4 1976)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Sunday, July 4, 1976) — “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again” by Eric Carmen peaked at #11 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Never Gonna Fall in Love Again’ by Eric Carmen peaks at #11 in USA 50 years ago today (Jul 4 1976) →

‘Making Our Dreams Come True’ by Cyndi Grecco peaks at #25 in USA 50 years ago today (Jul 4 1976)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, Television 1970s

(Sunday, July 4, 1976) — “Making Our Dreams Come True” by Cyndi Grecco peaked at #25 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Making Our Dreams Come True’ by Cyndi Grecco peaks at #25 in USA 50 years ago today (Jul 4 1976) →

United States celebrates bicentennial 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1976)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'America's Bicentennial - July 4, 1976 - ABC Coverage!'

(Sunday, July 4, 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford spoke at Independence Hall at 11:19-11:37 a.m. EDT) — The United States celebrated the bicentennial of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence today with pageantry and prayer, with games and parades, with picnics and fireworks, with the peal of bells and the chant of protests. Continue reading United States celebrates bicentennial 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1976) →

‘Let ‘Em In’ by Wings debuts at #59 in USA 50 years ago today (Jul 4 1976)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s

(Sunday, July 4, 1976) — “Let ‘Em In” by (former Beatle Paul McCartney and his British-American group) Wings debuted at #59 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Continue reading ‘Let ‘Em In’ by Wings debuts at #59 in USA 50 years ago today (Jul 4 1976) →

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs Freedom of Information Act 60 years ago today (July 4 1966)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Bill Moyers Essay: The Freedom of Information Act'

(Independence Day, Monday, July 4 1966) — President Lyndon B. Johnson today signed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government, which went into effect the following year. Continue reading President Lyndon B. Johnson signs Freedom of Information Act 60 years ago today (July 4 1966) →

‘The Glory of Love’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Jul 4 1936)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, July 4, 1936) — “The Glory of Love” by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Helen Ward; recorded Apr. 23, 1936 in Chicago) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘The Glory of Love’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Jul 4 1936) →

The Beatles perform first of two shows at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Football Stadium 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1966)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Beatles Live in Manila July 4 1966'

(Monday, July 4, 1966, 4:00 p.m. Philippine Standard Time) — The Beatles performed the first of two shows at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila, Philippines this afternoon on the fifth and last stop of the band’s tour of Germany, Japan and the Philippines. Continue reading The Beatles perform first of two shows at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Football Stadium 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1966) →

Nation rekindles Statue of Liberty as beacon of hope 40 years ago this hour (July 3 1986)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Liberty Weekend Opening Ceremony' (coverage began at 8:00 p.m. EDT, ceremonies began at 8:30 p.m.; President Reagan spoke at 9:28 p.m. prior to the unveiling and again at 11:04 p.m.; the torch was lit at 11:08 p.m.)

(Thursday, July 3, 1986, evening EDT; during Liberty Weekend) — With the eyes of America on its most cherished symbol of freedom, the city and the nation rededicated the Statue of Liberty in a blaze of light tonight, marking its centennial as a beacon of hope in New York Harbor. Continue reading Nation rekindles Statue of Liberty as beacon of hope 40 years ago this hour (July 3 1986) →