Today in News History

On July 4, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1776, American Revolution: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress. In 1803, The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people. In 1818, US Flag Act of 1818 goes into effect creating a 13 stripe flag with a star for each state. New stars would be added on July 4 after a new state had been admitted. In 1831, Samuel Francis Smith writes "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" for the Boston, Massachusetts July 4 festivities. In 1831, James Monroe, American soldier, lawyer, and politician, 5th President of the United States (born 1758) passed away. In 1903, The Philippine-American War is officially concluded. In 1911, A massive heat wave strikes the northeastern United States, killing 380 people in eleven days and breaking temperature records in several cities. In 1960, Due to the post-Independence Day admission of Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, the 50-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, almost ten and a half months later (see Flag Acts (United States)). In 1974, La'Roi Glover, American football player and sportscaster was born. In 2006, Space Shuttle program: Discovery launches STS-121 to the International Space Station. The event gained wide media attention as it was the only shuttle launch in the program's history to occur on the United States' Independence Day. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.