July 4 in history
Events on July 4
Notable events that happened on July 4 in past years.
- 2025
A devastating flood strikes the Texas Hill Country, killing at least 108 people.
Wikipedia article: July 2025 Central Texas floods - 2009
The first of four days of bombings begins on the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao.
Wikipedia article: 2009 Mindanao bombings - 2001
Vladivostok Air Flight 352 crashes on approach to Irkutsk Airport, killing all 145 people on board.
Wikipedia article: Vladivostok Air Flight 352 - 1977
The George Jackson Brigade plants a bomb at the main power substation for the Washington state capitol in Olympia, in solidarity with a prison strike at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary Intensive Security Unit.
Wikipedia article: George Jackson Brigade - 1951
Cold War: A court in Czechoslovakia sentences American journalist William N. Oatis to ten years in prison on charges of espionage.
Wikipedia article: Czechoslovak Socialist Republic - 1943
World War II: The Battle of Kursk, the largest full-scale battle in history and the world's largest tank battle, begins in the village of Prokhorovka.
Wikipedia article: Battle of Kursk - 1918
Mehmed V died at the age of 73 and Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI ascends to the throne.
Wikipedia article: Mehmed V - 1903
The Philippine–American War is officially concluded.
Wikipedia article: Philippine–American War - 1886
The Canadian Pacific Railway's first scheduled train from Montreal arrives in Port Moody on the Pacific coast, after six days of travel.
Wikipedia article: Canadian Pacific Railway - 1855
The first edition of Walt Whitman's book of poems, Leaves of Grass, is published in Brooklyn.
Wikipedia article: Walt Whitman - 1831
Samuel Francis Smith writes "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" for the Boston, Massachusetts July 4 festivities.
Wikipedia article: Samuel Francis Smith - 1776
American Revolution: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress, formally announcing and explaining separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain and the creation of the United States.
Wikipedia article: American Revolution - 1534
Christian III is elected King of Denmark and Norway in the town of Rye.
Wikipedia article: Election of Christian III - 1054
A supernova, called SN 1054, is seen by Chinese Song dynasty, Arab, and possibly indigenous American observers near the star Zeta Tauri. For several months it remains bright enough to be seen during the day. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula.
- 362 BC
Battle of Mantinea: The Thebans, led by Epaminondas, defeat the Spartans.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0