History Today
In 1863, the decisive three-day Battle of Gettysburg began in Pennsylvania, ending in victory for the Union.
In 1867, Canada became a British Dominion with the coming into force of the British North America Act. This national holiday was called Dominion Day until 1982, but is now known as Canada Day.
In 1903, the first Tour de France began (it finished on July 19th, and the winner was Maurice Galland).
In 1944, representatives from 44 countries met in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, and agreed to establish the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
In 1963, the United States Post Office introduced five-digit zip codes.
The Drug Enforcement Administration was established in 1973.
In 1984, the first film to be rated PG-13 was released, “Red Dawn” starring Patrick Swayze.
In 1991, President George H. W. Bush nominated federal appeals court judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, ultimately completing a successful confirmation process riddled with sexual harassment allegations.
In 1997, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule after 156 years as a British colony.
In 2004, actor Marlon Brando died in Los Angeles at the age of 80.
In 2015, after more than half a century of hostility, the United States and Cuba announced they would reopen their embassies in each other’s capitals, marking a historic restoration of full diplomatic ties between the Cold War-era enemies.
In 2018, LeBron James announced that he would be leaving Cleveland for the second time in his career to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2019, 15-year-old Coco Gauff, the youngest player to play at Wimbledon since the professional era began, defeated 39-year-old Venus Williams in the first round.
birthday
Actor and dancer Leslie Caron is 93 years old.
Actor Jamie Farr (TV: “M*A*S*H”) is 90 years old.
Cookie maker Wally Amos is 88 years old.
Dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp is 83 years old.
Actress Geneviève Bujold is 82 years old.
Rock singer Deborah Harry (Blondie) is 79 years old.
Actor Terence Mann is 73 years old.
Rock singer Fred Schneider of The B-52s is 73 years old.
Pop singer Victor Willis (Village People) is 73 years old.
Actor and comedian Dan Aykroyd is 72 years old.
Actor Alan Ruck is 68 years old.
Mystery novelist Louise Penny is 66 years old.
Singer Evelyn “Champagne” King is 64 years old.
Olympic track and field champion Carl Lewis is 63 years old.
Actor Dominic Keating (TV: Star Trek: Enterprise) is 61 years old.
Actress Pamela Anderson is 57 years old.
Actor Henry Simmons is 54 years old.
Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott is 53 years old.
Actress Julianne Nicholson is 53 years old.
Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens is 49 years old.
Actor Liv Tyler is 47 years old.
Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla is 47 years old.
Actress Hilarie Burton is 42 years old.
Actress Lea Seydoux is 39 years old.
Actress and singer Chloe Bailey is 26 years old.
Actor Storm Reid is 20 years old.
