A bunch of stuff has happened on the 4th of July

By Dian Vujovich

While it’s a great day for a gathering and watching fireworks, historically there’s more to today’s 4th of July celebration than honoring America’s Declaration of Independence.

Here’s a brief look at a few of the many things that have happened on July 4:

•1776-US gains independence from Britain.

•1789- First US tariff act put in place.

•1796-First Independence Day celebration is held.

•1802- US Military Academy opened at West Point, NY.

•1803-The Louisiana Purchase announced.

•1817-Contrsuticon began the Erie Canal. The canal was completed in 1825 and shortened the time it took to travel from Buffalo to New York City from 20 to six days.

•1826- Three presidents have died on the 4th of July. In 1826 and on the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died. Five years later, (in 1831), James Monroe passed away.

•1827-Slavery abolished in New York.

•1828- Construction began on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It was the first commercial rail road line in the U.S to carry freight and passengers.

•1829-Cornerston laid for 1st US mint in Philadelphia.

•1831- “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)” if first sung in Boston.

•1862- Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwig Dodgson, first told the story of Alice in Wonderland.

•1872- Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President, was born.

•1876-First public exhibitions of electric light happens in San Francisco.

•1884- France presented the Statue of Liberty to America.

•1942-US air offensive against Nazi-Germany begins.

•1959-Our flag debuts with 49-stars on it as Alaska becomes a state.

•1960-Our flag now has 50 stars as Hawaii becomes a state.

•1997- U.S. spacecraft began exploring Mars.

•2004 Cornerstone for new Freedom Towner laid where the World Trade Center once stood.

•2009-Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens to public after eight years of being closed for security reasons following the World Trade Center attacks.