History: What Happened Today?

1. In 1663, Rhode Island was granted a charter by King Charles II of England.
2. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read at Independence Square, in Philadelphia. Citizens were summoned by the ringing of the Liberty Bell.
3. In 1777, Vermont became the first state to abolish slavery.
4. In 1796, the U.S. State Department issued the first passport.
5. In 1835, the Liberty Bell cracked at the funeral for Chief Justice John Marshall.
6. In 1870, Congress authorizes registration of trademarks.
7. In 1900, the first night baseball game of league play took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
8. In 1932, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) hit the low point of the Depression at 41.22.
9. In 1963, the U.S. bans all monetary transactions with Cuba.
10. In 1990, it was 12:34:56 on 7/8/90 - 1234567890....WAY COOL!!!
11. Famous Birthdays: City of Paris (Turned 2000 in 1951), John D. Rockefeller (American philanthropist and businessman), Nelson Rockefeller (American politician, NY governor and US Vice President), Wolfgang Puck (chef), Steve Lawrence (singer), Jaden Smith (actor), Beck (musician)

For famous birthdays and other daily events in history, visit our Daily Dose Activities.

Click Here for Yesterday in History: July 7

Click Here for Tomorrow in History: July 9

For more history resources on Internet 4 Classrooms, visit our Social Studies and History index. For Pre K-8th Grade Level History and Social Studies Resources, visit our Grade Level Index.