Declaration of Independence approved by the Second Continental Congress

The Declaration of Independence, adopted this day in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress, called for the American colonies to secede from Great Britain, a proclamation now commemorated as Independence Day in the United States.1776.

British punk rock band the Clash gave their first public performance, opening for the Sex Pistols in a pub in Sheffield, England.1976. 

The Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed, and Manuel Roxas became its first president. 1946 

On an appreciation day in his honour, American baseball player Lou Gehrig, who had been forced to retire months earlier due to ALS, gave a memorable speech in which he claimed to be “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” 1939. 

In what was billed as the “Fight of the Century,” African American boxer Jack Johnson defeated James Jackson Jeffries, who was considered the “Great White Hope.” Johnson’s victory led to nationwide celebrations by Black Americans that were sometimes met by violence from white people, resulting in more than 20 deaths across the country. 1910.

The Statue of Liberty was presented to the United States by the French in Paris.1884.

Lewis Carroll‘s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published, though the first print run was soon recalled because of quality issues; a new first edition was released in November. 1865 

Two major figures of the American Revolution who became U.S. presidents, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, died—50 years to the day after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. 1826