Today in History

Today in History

Today is Sunday, July 2, the 183rd day of 2017. 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 1867, New York's first elevated rail line, a single track between Battery Place and Greenwich Street, went into operation.

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 1892, the Populist Party (also known as the People's Party) opened its first national convention in Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1917, rioting erupted in East St. Louis, Illinois, as white mobs attacked black residents; nearly 50 people, mostly blacks, are believed to have died in the violence.

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

In 1955, "The Lawrence Welk Show" premiered on ABC-TV under its original title, "The Dodge Dancing Party."

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

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

In 1977, Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov, 78, died in Montreux, Switzerland.

In 1987, 18 Mexican immigrants were found dead inside a locked boxcar near Sierra Blanca, Texas, in what authorities called a botched smuggling attempt; a 19th man survived.

In 1997, Academy Award-winning actor James Stewart died in Beverly Hills, California, at age 89.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush commuted the sentence of former aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, sparing him a 2-1/2-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.

Five years ago: Jim Yong Kim began his new job as president of the World Bank, promising to immediately focus on helping poor countries navigate a fragile global economy. The U.S. Justice Department said British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline would pay $3 billion in fines for criminal and civil violations involving 10 drugs taken by millions of people. Former NBC president Julian Goodman, 90, died in Juno Beach, Florida.

One year ago: Hillary Clinton was voluntarily interviewed for 3 1/2 hours by the FBI at the agency's Washington headquarters about her use of a private email server as secretary of state. Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, 87, died in New York. Oscar-winning director Michael Cimino, 77, died in Beverly Hills, California.

Today's Birthdays: Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos is 88. Jazz musician Ahmad Jamal is 87. Actor Robert Ito is 86. Actress Polly Holliday is 80. Racing Hall of Famer Richard Petty is 80. Former White House chief of staff John H. Sununu is 78. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is 75. Writer-director-comedian Larry David is 70. Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, is 70. Actor Saul Rubinek is 69. Rock musician Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band) is 68. Rock musician Gene Taylor is 65. Actress Wendy Schaal is 63. Actress-model Jerry Hall is 61. Actor Jimmy McNichol is 56. Country singer Guy Penrod is 54. Rock musician Dave Parsons (Bush) is 52. Actress Yancy Butler is 47. Contemporary Christian musician Melodee DeVevo (Casting Crowns) is 41. Actor Owain (OH'-wyn) Yeoman is 39. Race car driver Sam Hornish Jr. is 38. Singer Michelle Branch is 34. Actress Vanessa Lee Chester is 33. Figure skater Johnny Weir is 33. Actor Nelson Franklin is 32. Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale is 32. Actress Lindsay Lohan is 31. Actress Margot Robbie is 27.

Thought for Today: "Let all of life be an unfettered howl. Like the crowd greeting the gladiator. Don't stop to think, don't interrupt the scream, exhale, release life's rapture." -- Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977).