Of course we cognise that July 4 is Independence Day in the U.S. But lots of other things have happened on that date as well . Here are just a few of them .
1. Three former presidents died.
On July 4 , 1826 , John Adams and Thomas Jefferson — America ’s second and third Chief Executive , respectively — both passedaway . The two politician had a love - hate kinship , and Adams ’s last word were supposedly , " Thomas Jefferson subsist . " ( He did n’t know that Jefferson had expire away a few hours in the first place . ) Exactly five years later , on July 4 , 1831 , James Monroe , the fifth U.S. president , died in New York City .
2. Henry David Thoreau moved to Walden Pond.
On July 4 , 1845 , Henry David Thoreaubeganhis two - year life experiment at Walden Pond , near Concord , Massachusetts .
3. Alice Liddell first heard the story ofAlice in Wonderland.
On July 4 , 1862 , littleAlice Liddell listenedto a narration told by Lewis Carroll during a boat tripper on the Thames — it would later become , of course , Alice ’s Adventuresin Wonderland . It was put out exactly three years afterwards , on July 4 , 1865 .
4. Two famous advice columnists were born.
On July 4 , 1918 , twin babe Esther Pauline and Pauline Esther Friedmanwere brook . Today they ’re good know as Ann Landers and Dear Abby .
5. George Steinbrenner came into the world.
On July 4 , 1930 , future Yankees possessor George Steinbrennerwas born(and presumptively fired the doctor immediately ) .
6. Lou Gehrig delivered his retirement speech.
On July 4 , 1939 , Lou Gehriggavehis famous retreat speech at Yankee Stadium after being diagnose with ALS . He tells the crowd that he consider himself " the luckiest human on the face of the earth . "
7. Koko was born.
On July 4 , 1971 , Koko , the house - language gorilla , was born .
8. Bob Ross passed away.
On July 4 , 1995,Bob Rossdied , and all over the world , Happy Little Trees were a little less happy .
This leaning first run in 2008 and was update for 2020 .
