7 historic July 4th events in US history

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, July 04, 2023

An attack performed during the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, which happened in the American Civil War. The city would fall to Union troops under General Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863. | Public Domain

Today, Americans are celebrating Independence Day, a date known for being when the English colonies of North America declared their independence from the British Empire.

The occasion is often celebrated with parades, fireworks, performances of the “1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky, barbecue and business sales, among other things.

Although the Fourth of July is closely associated with the United States Declaration of Independence that was issued in 1776, other notable moments in American history in different years also fell on July 4.

Here are seven notable American historical events that fell on the Fourth of July. They include the death of former presidents, the end of a significant American Civil War battle, and a milestone in space exploration.