What Happened On July 3rd?

Historical Events

1844: The Great Auk, a large, flightless bird native to the North Atlantic, was last seen alive off the coast of Iceland. Sadly, this marked the extinction of the species due to overhunting and habitat destruction.

Technological Advancements

1928: The first-ever television broadcast of moving images took place in London, England. Inventor John Logie Baird transmitted images of a ventriloquist dummy named “Stooky Bill” from his laboratory to an audience at the Royal Institution. This marked a crucial milestone in the development of television technology.

Political Milestones

1775: George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the American Revolutionary War. This marked the beginning of Washington’s military leadership in the fight for American independence.

1863: The Battle of Gettysburg came to an end during the American Civil War. The Union Army, led by General George G. Meade, emerged victorious against General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army. This decisive battle marked a turning point in the war, shifting the momentum in favor of the Union.

1890: Idaho became the 43rd state to join the United States, known for its vast wilderness, rugged mountains, and thriving agricultural industry.

Cultural Events

1985: The iconic film “Back to the Future” was released in the United States. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the movie would go on to become a beloved classic and spawn two successful sequels.

1986: The Statue of Liberty was reopened to the public after a two-year renovation project. The iconic landmark had been closed due to safety concerns.

Notable Births

1. George M. Cohan (1878–1942) – An American entertainer, composer, and playwright. Known as “The Man Who Owned Broadway,” Cohan is celebrated for his contributions to American musical theater, including classic songs like “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.
2. Franz Kafka (1883–1924) – A Czech writer best known for his works such as “The Metamorphosis” and “The Trial. His writing explored themes of alienation, existentialism, and bureaucracy, and he is considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
3. Tom Stoppard (1937) – A Czech-British playwright and screenwriter, known for his works such as “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” and “Shakespeare in Love. He has won multiple Tony Awards, Academy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards for his contributions to the theater and film industries.
4. Gloria Allred (1941) – An American lawyer and women’s rights activist, known for representing high-profile clients in cases related to discrimination and sexual harassment. She has been involved in several high-profile cases, including representing women who accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault and representing women who accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct.
5. Dave Barry (1947) – An American author and humorist, known for his humorous newspaper columns and books such as “Dave Barry Turns 40” and “Big Trouble. He won multiple Pulitzer Prizes for his writing and is a frequent contributor to various publications, including The New York Times, Esquire, and The Washington Post.
6. Montel Williams (1956) – An American television personality, actor, and radio talk show host. He is best known for hosting the Emmy Award-winning talk show “The Montel Williams Show,” which aired from 1991 to 2008.
7. Tom Cruise (1962) – An American actor and producer. Over his illustrious career, Cruise has starred in numerous blockbuster films, including “Top Gun,” “Rain Man,” “A Few Good Men,” and the “Mission: Impossible” series. With a career spanning over three decades, Cruise has become one of the most recognizable and bankable actors in Hollywood.
8. Shawnee Smith (1969) – An American actress and singer, known for her roles in the “Saw” film series and the television series “Anger Management. She also released music albums and appeared in several stage productions, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
9. Julian Assange (1971) – An Australian journalist and activist who founded the website WikiLeaks. Assange gained international notoriety for his role in leaking classified government documents, which sparked debates about government transparency and national security.
10. Olivia Munn (1980) – An American actress and television personality known for her roles in “The Newsroom” and “X-Men: Apocalypse”.
11. Nathalia Ramos (1992) – A Spanish-American actress, known for her role in the Nickelodeon television series “House of Anubis”.

Final Word

July 3rd is no ordinary day, as it has been the stage for pivotal moments in technology, politics, culture, and more. From the extinction of the Great Auk to the birth of Tom Cruise, July 3rd has left a lasting impact on the world and continues to shape our present and future. Let us reflect on the achievements and sacrifices of those who came before us and celebrate the progress and innovations that emerged from these moments.