Today in History

Today is Monday, July 2, the 184th day of 2012. There are 182 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 2, 1937, aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight along the equator.

On this date:

In 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution saying that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."

In 1812, Connecticut Gov. Roger Griswold declared his state's militia would not serve in the war against Britain, reflecting New Englanders' opposition to the conflict.

In 1862, during the Civil War, Confederate forces led by Gen. Robert E. Lee withdrew to Richmond, Va., after driving back Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's troops.

In 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Washington railroad station; Garfield died the following September. (Guiteau was hanged in June 1882.)

In 1912, the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore nominated New Jersey Gov. Woodrow Wilson for president.

In 1926, the United States Army Air Corps was created.

In 1961, author Ernest Hemingway shot himself to death at his home in Ketchum, Idaho.

In 1962, the first Walmart store (called "Wal-Mart Discount City") was opened in Rogers, Ark., by Sam Walton and his brother, James.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a sweeping civil rights bill passed by Congress.

In 1978, Andy Rooney delivered his first commentary on CBS' "60 Minutes" in which he criticized people who keep track of traffic fatalities on holiday weekends.

In 1982, Larry Walters of San Pedro, Calif., used a lawn chair equipped with 45 helium-filled weather balloons to rise to an altitude of 16,000 feet; he landed eight miles away in Long Beach.

In 1997, actor James Stewart died in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 89.

Ten years ago: American adventurer Steve Fossett became the first person to fly a balloon solo around the world as he returned to western Australia.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush commuted the sentence of former aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, sparing him a 21/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case. Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his visit to Kennebunkport, Maine, where he'd held talks with President Bush. Opera singer Beverly Sills died in New York at age 78.

One year ago: Petra Kvitova beat Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 to become the first left-handed woman to win the Wimbledon title since Martina Navratilova in 1990.

Today's Birthdays: Country singer Marvin Rainwater is 87. Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos is 83. Jazz musician Ahmad Jamal is 82. Actor Robert Ito is 81. Actress Polly Holliday is 75. Former White House chief of staff John H. Sununu is 73. Writer-director-comedian Larry David is 65. Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, is 65. Actor Saul Rubinek is 64. Rock musician Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band) is 63. Rock musician Gene Taylor is 60. Actress-model Jerry Hall is 56. Actor Jimmy McNichol is 51. Country singer Guy Penrod is 49. Rock musician Dave Parsons (Bush) is 47. Actress Yancy Butler is 42. Contemporary Christian musician Melodee DeVevo (Casting Crowns) is 36. Actor Owain Yeoman (TV: "The Mentalist") is 34. Race car driver Sam Hornish Jr. is 33. Singer Michelle Branch is 29. Actress Vanessa Lee Chester is 28. Figure skater Johnny Weir is 28. Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale is 27. Actress Lindsay Lohan is 26.

Thought for Today: "Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace, The soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things." -- Amelia Earhart (1897-1937?).

Copyright 2012, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.