What happened on July 2nd?

Happy Tuesday! Wow…it’s already July. This year is just racing by.

Today, we'll spotlight the 1964 signing of the Civil Rights Act, a landmark event in the fight for equality in the United States. Alongside this moment, many other fascinating events occurred on this day. 

Read on to discover more about these historical milestones.

✍️1964: Civil Rights Act Was Signed

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act which prohibited discrimination in public places, integrated schools and public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. This law aimed to end racial segregation and inequality, responding to the Civil Rights Movement's efforts led by activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and the NAACP. It addressed injustices faced by African Americans and other marginalized groups.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was actually just one of the three major laws passed in the 1960s designed to address racial inequality in the United States. The second two, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 addressed racial injustices in the voting and housing sectors.

These laws did a lot to level the racial playing field, but the movement was stopped short after the assasination of several key leader, including Martin Luther King Jr. himself in 1968. While still landmark legislation, many at the time wanted Congress to go further to help those who had been marginalized throughout the course of US history.

These laws also did not and could not address the culture of racism in the United States, which has its roots in the institution of slavery and the subsequent Jim Crow era. This aspect of US history - the role of white supremacy - is a hard truth for many to swallow, so much so that efforts have been made to stop teaching kids about it. Nobody asked me, but if they did, I would say that’s quite a bad idea.

You can read more about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as the larger civil rights movement here.

⚔️1644: Royalists Defeated in the English Civil Wars

During the English Civil Wars, Parliamentary forces, seeking to limit King Charles I's power, clashed with Royalist troops. Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax led these forces to a decisive victory at the Battle of Marston Moor near York. This battle weakened King Charles I's control over northern England, boosted Parliamentarian morale, and marked a turning point in the conflict. This lead to the eventual downfall of the Royalist cause and reshaped the future balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament.

🗳️1776: Caesar Rodney Cast the Decisive Vote Approving the Declaration of Independence

Amid mounting tensions between the American colonies and Britain, the Continental Congress met to vote on the Declaration of Independence. Despite severe illness, Caesar Rodney rode overnight from Delaware to Philadelphia. His timely arrival broke Delaware's deadlock in the Congress. Rodney's decisive vote approved the Declaration, enabling the thirteen colonies to declare their separation from British rule and unify in the fight for independence, leading to the formation of the United States.

⚓1839: Mutiny on the Amistad

Fifty-three enslaved Africans, captured in Sierra Leone and illegally sold, revolted aboard the Spanish ship Amistad. Led by Sengbe Pieh (Joseph Cinqué), they killed the captain and seized control. The ship was eventually captured off the U.S. coast, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case. The Court ruled in favor of the Africans, recognizing their right to resist illegal slavery and ordering their release, which was a significant victory for the abolitionist movement. Read more in Slavery in America: United States’ Black Mark.

🔫1881: James A. Garfield Was Shot

Charles J. Guiteau shot the US President at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Guiteau. A disgruntled office seeker, Guiteau targeted Garfield due to perceived political grievances. Struck twice in the back and arm, Garfield's wounds led to a lengthy and ultimately fatal battle with infection and medical malpractice, ending his presidency. 

🎈1900: The First Flight of a Zeppelin

Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, a German military officer and inventor, pioneered the development of airships as a means of long-distance transportation. Motivated by a desire to create a reliable and efficient mode of aerial travel, von Zeppelin's innovative designs revolutionized aviation, leading to the successful maiden voyage of his airship over Lake Constance in Germany. This event marked the beginning of a new era in transportation—airship travel. 

💼1932: Franklin D. Roosevelt Coined the Term “New Deal”

During his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt pledged to implement a transformative set of policies known as the "New Deal." Roosevelt's vision emerged amidst the Great Depression, a period of economic turmoil marked by widespread unemployment and poverty. By promising a "new deal" for the American people, Roosevelt sought to address the nation's challenges through government intervention and social reform.

🛒1962: Sam Walton Opened the First Walmart

Entrepreneur Sam Walton made retail history in 1962 by opening the inaugural Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas. Walton's innovative approach to retailing emphasized low prices, large selection, and exceptional customer service. By implementing efficient supply chain management and leveraging economies of scale, Walmart quickly expanded across the United States, becoming a dominant force in the retail landscape. Walton's vision transformed how Americans shopped, setting new standards for convenience and affordability in retail.

🌍2002: Steve Fossett Became the First Balloonist to Circumnavigate the World Alone

The aviator achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the first person to solo circumnavigate the globe in a balloon. Departing from Australia aboard the "Spirit of Freedom" balloon, Fossett faced daunting weather and logistical challenges during his 14-day journey. His successful completion of the journey in Queensland, Australia, marked a triumph of human ingenuity and determination

🔓2008: Ingrid Betancourt Was Freed

Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, abducted by FARC rebels in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency, was rescued after six years of captivity. Colombian security forces executed a daring operation, infiltrating the rebel group to extract Betancourt and other hostages. Her release spotlighted Colombia's hostage crisis and dealt a blow to FARC's influence, offering hope to other captives and a moment of triumph for supporters.

🌟Born on This Day in History

419: Valentinian III, Roman Emperor

Valentinian III became the Roman Emperor in 425 at the age of six, under the regency of his mother, Galla Placidia. His reign was marked by struggles against barbarian invasions and internal power struggles, culminating in his assassination in 455. Read more about Valentinian III

1990: Margot Robbie, Australian Actress

Margot Robbie rose to fame for her roles in The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad, establishing herself as a prominent actress in Hollywood.

1898: Anthony C. McAuliffe, United States General

Anthony C. McAuliffe became famous for his role during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II when he famously replied "Nuts!" to a German surrender ultimatum.

💔Died on This Day in History

1778: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Swiss-Born French Philosopher

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a prominent figure of the Enlightenment, authored influential works like The Social Contract and Emile. His philosophy emphasized the importance of individual freedom and the social contract between citizens and the state.

1961: Ernest Hemingway, Writer

Ernest Hemingway was a renowned American novelist and journalist, known for his terse prose style and adventurous lifestyle. His works, including The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bell Tolls, reflect themes of masculinity, war, and the human condition and earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.

1977: Vladimir Nabokov, Author

Vladimir Nabokov was a Russian-American novelist and entomologist best known for his novel Lolita, a controversial work that explored taboo subjects with intricate prose.

1997: James Stewart, Actor

Iconic actor famed for his roles in classics such as "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Rear Window."

Thanks again for tuning in. I’ll be back tomorrow.

Matt