1776, the United States of America was born when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
1802, the United States Military Academy officially opened at West Point, New York.
1826, Oddly enough, both former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away on this day, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Later, in 1872, the 30th president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, would be born on this day.
1918 Advice columnist Ann Landers (the twin sister of Abigail “Dear Abby“ Van Buren) is born. She dies in 2002.
1939, baseball’s “Iron Horse,” Lou Gehrig, said farewell to his fans at New York’s Yankee Stadium. Even though he knew he was dying of the degenerative disease that would later be named after him, Gehrig famously said, “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”
1960, America’s 50-star flag, honoring Hawaiian statehood, was officially unfurled. 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act.
1971, the sitcom Hogan’s Heroes last aired on CBS.
1975, TV’s comedy series The Odd Couple aired for the last time.
1976, Israel launched a commando mission at Entebbe Airport in Uganda to rescue passengers and Air France crew members being held hostage by pro-Palestinian hijackers. During the successful raid, three hostages, seven hijackers, and 20 Ugandan soldiers were killed.
1986, More than 250 sailing ships and the United States’ biggest fireworks display honored the Statue of Liberty in its 100th birthday year.
1990 The movie Die Hard 2, starring Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson, John Amos, and Dennis Franz, opens.