1776

The Continental Congress passed a resolution saying that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.”

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.)

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.

1964

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a sweeping civil rights bill passed by Congress prohibiting discrimination and segregation based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin.

2002

Steve Fossett became the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world nonstop in a balloon.

Birthdays

Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos is 96. Actor Polly Holliday is 88. Racing Hall of Famer Richard Petty is 88. Former White House chief of staff John H. Sununu is 86. Comedian Larry David is 78. Rock musician Roy Bittan is 76. Actor Wendy Schaal is 71. Actor-model Jerry Hall is 69. Former baseball player Jose Canseco is 61. Former NHL center Joe Thornton is 46.