Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
Click on links for information relating to each event
One of the most crucial battles of the Civil War (between the States) began. Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his troops on an invasion of the North. Union General George Meade defeated the Southern forces at the Battle of Gettysburg.
This is the day the Confederation of Upper and Lower Canada and the Maritime Provinces became the Dominion of Canada. This Canadian national holiday is known as Canada Day, formerly Dominion Day.
Dwight D. Eisenhower married Mamie Geneva Doud. It was the same day that Ike was promoted to first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Quite a day for the future U.S. President and his new bride.
PBS-The American Experience: The Presidents
US Army Air Corps Created; Distinguish Flying Cross Authorized
Fourth of July Celebrations Database Apollo 11
Click on logo to visit NASA'a page commemorating the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing mission.
Besides being the first man to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong is also a veteran. He served in the Korean War and flew in seventy-eight combat missions. That is why I have included the following article. It was published in The New Federalist, a Washington, DC newspaper, on May 13, 1996.
The Walk Witnessed by the World
U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the "Civil Rights Act of 1964" into law. The law included the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, not only where the registration of voters was involved, but also in public accommodations, in publicly owned or operated facilities, in employment and union membership.
Americans celebrate their independence from the British on this day. July 4th commemorates the approval of the "Declaration of Independence". No it wasn't signed on this day - just approved. The actual signing didn't take place until a month later.
"...with a history of the holiday and notes on how the Fourth has been celebrated over the years."
It was on this day that the song, "America", was sung in public for the first time -- at the Park Street Church in Boston, MA. Dr. Samuel Francis Smith wrote the words, borrowing the tune from a German songbook. Ironically, and unknown to Dr. Smith at the time, the melody is the same as the British national anthem.
The famous song, often touted as the true U.S. national anthem, "America the Beautiful", was originally a poem written by Katherine Lee Bates. The Wellesley College professor's poem was first published this day in the "Congregationalist", a church newspaper.
Declaration of Independence announced on front page of the "PA Evening Gazette"
Declaration of Independence read aloud to Washington's troops in NY
US Army's Distinguished Service Cross Authorized
The U.S. Marine Corps was formally re-established by a congressional act that also created the U.S. Marine Band.
The U.S. Air Force Academy was dedicated in Colorado Springs, CO. The first class included 306 cadets.
The Medal of Honor was authorized on this day by the U.S. Congress.
National cemeteries were authorized by the U.S. government on this day. Arlington National Cemetery, located just outside Washington, D.C., in Virginia, is one of the most honored in the country. In addition to those who died in battle, other war veterans, including U.S. Presidents and government leaders are buried there. Arlington National Cemetery also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in honor of those who lay unidentified on the battlefields of freedom.
The first members of the WAACS, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps began training at Fort Des Moines, IA. Years later, the name would be changed to WACS.
With "...one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," astronaut, Neil Armstrong, pilot of the lunar spacecraft, the "Eagle", made the first footsteps on the surface of the moon at 10:56 p.m. EDT. Which foot did Armstrong use to step on the grainy, grayish, lunar soil? His left. So incredible were the TV images of Armstrong and (15 minutes) later, Buzz Aldrin, exploring the lunar surface, people around the world stopped and collectively held their breath. The words "Houston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed..." gave instant impact to the drama of watching human beings reach something so far away so successfully. And all were able to breathe once again.
© NASA
It isn't often that people are invited to a picnic to watch a war; but that's what happened on this day. It was the first major battle of the Civil War between the North and the South. U.S. Federal troops under the leadership of Major General Irwin McDowell attacked Confederate troops led by General Beauregard. It was the Battle of Bull Run Creek at Manassas Junction, Virginia. The Confederates, with the help of General E. Kirby Smith and General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson held back the Union troops like a stone wall. Many folks, dressed in their Sunday best, came to watch and picnic as 60,000 men fought for over ten hours. When a shell destroyed a wagon blocking the main road of retreat, panic sent Union troops and picnickers scurrying back to Washington D.C.
The Veterans' Administration of the United States was established this day.
The WAVES were created by legislation signed by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The members of the
Women's Auxiliary Voluntary Emergency Service were a part of of the U.S. Navy.
