Today in history July 2

  1. 1776 – The United States Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress.
    On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress officially voted to declare independence from Great Britain. This momentous decision was primarily driven by the desire to establish a nation free from British rule and tyranny. The resolution for independence was proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia and passed with twelve colonies in favor, New York abstaining. Although the Declaration of Independence document was formally adopted two days later on July 4, the vote on July 2 marked the legal act of separation. This event is considered the birth of the United States as an independent nation.
  2. 1881 – President James A. Garfield died after being shot by an assassin.
    President James A. Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881, by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker. Garfield did not die immediately but suffered for several weeks from infections and poor medical treatment. His death on September 19, 1881, marked the second assassination of a U.S. president, following Abraham Lincoln. Garfield’s assassination led to civil service reform, aimed at ending the patronage system that Guiteau had exploited. His death also highlighted the need for better medical practices and presidential security.
  3. 1937 – The Marihuana Tax Act was enacted in the United States.
    On July 2, 1937, the U.S. Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act, which effectively criminalized the use and sale of marijuana. This law imposed heavy taxes on marijuana dealers and users, making it nearly impossible to legally possess or distribute cannabis. The act marked the beginning of federal prohibition of marijuana, influenced by political, racial, and economic factors. It led to increased law enforcement efforts against marijuana and contributed to the stigma surrounding its use. The Marihuana Tax Act remained in effect until it was replaced by the Controlled Substances Act in 1970.
  4. 1964 – The Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
    The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act into law on July 2, 1964, after a long and contentious legislative process. The act aimed to end segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination. It was a crucial victory for the civil rights movement and helped pave the way for further social and legal reforms. The Civil Rights Act remains one of the most important laws promoting equality in America.
  5. 1938 – Douglas Corrigan took off from New York, intending to fly to California, but landed in Ireland.
    Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan became famous on July 2, 1938, when he took off from New York for a cross-country flight to California but instead landed in Dublin, Ireland. Corrigan claimed that his navigation instruments had malfunctioned and that he had made an honest mistake. However, many believed that he deliberately flew to Ireland as a form of protest against the refusal to approve his transatlantic flight plans. Despite the controversy, Corrigan became a folk hero for his unexpected transatlantic journey. His flight captured the imagination of the public during the golden age of aviation.
  6. 1997 – The Mars Pathfinder spacecraft landed on Mars.
    On July 2, 1997, NASA’s Mars Pathfinder successfully landed on the surface of Mars, marking a significant achievement in space exploration. The mission included a lander and a small rover named Sojourner, which conducted various scientific experiments. Pathfinder was designed to demonstrate new technologies for landing on and exploring the Martian surface. The rover’s successful operation provided valuable data about Mars’ geology and atmosphere. This mission helped rekindle interest in planetary exploration and paved the way for future Mars missions.
  7. 1947 – Thor Heyerdahl set sail from Peru on the Kon-Tiki expedition.
    Thor Heyerdahl and his crew embarked on the Kon-Tiki expedition on July 2, 1947, to prove that ancient people could have made long sea voyages connecting South America to Polynesia. Using a raft built from balsa wood and other native materials, Heyerdahl aimed to demonstrate the possibility of prehistoric transoceanic contact. The expedition lasted 101 days and covered nearly 4,300 miles across the Pacific Ocean. The successful journey challenged established theories about migration and cultural diffusion in the Pacific region. Heyerdahl’s adventure remains a celebrated example of experimental archaeology and exploration.
  8. 1993 – Kim Campbell was sworn in as Canada’s first female Prime Minister.
    On July 2, 1993, Kim Campbell became the 19th Prime Minister of Canada and the first woman to hold the position. Her appointment marked a significant milestone in Canadian politics and gender equality. Campbell had previously served as Minister of Justice and Minister of National Defense before leading the Progressive Conservative Party. Although her term was short-lived, she played an important role in shaping policy and representing women in leadership. Campbell’s premiership inspired many women in Canada and around the world to pursue political careers.
  9. 1900 – The Boxer Rebellion: Allied forces capture the Taku forts in China.
    During the Boxer Rebellion, Allied forces from multiple countries captured the Taku forts near Tianjin, China, on July 2, 1900. The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, anti-colonial uprising aimed at expelling foreign influence from China. The Taku forts were strategic coastal defenses controlling access to Tianjin and the capital, Beijing. The capture of these forts was a crucial step in the relief of foreign legations under siege in Beijing. This event demonstrated the military cooperation among foreign powers and the extent of imperial interests in China at the time.
  10. 1956 – The Suez Canal is nationalized by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
    On July 2, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal, previously controlled by British and French interests. This bold move was intended to finance the construction of the Aswan High Dam after the withdrawal of U.S. and British funding. Nationalization escalated tensions with Britain, France, and Israel, leading to the Suez Crisis later that year. The event marked a significant assertion of Egyptian sovereignty and inspired anti-colonial movements worldwide. It also reshaped geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and the world’s approach to colonialism and resource control.

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