Discover What Happened Today in History
The Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain. This act established the United States of America as a sovereign nation.
American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of 'The Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of the Seven Gables', was born in Salem, Massachusetts. His works are foundational to American literature, exploring themes of sin, guilt, and Puritan history.
Confederate General John C. Pemberton surrendered the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Union General Ulysses S. Grant after a prolonged siege. This victory gave the Union complete control of the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in two.
Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist Marie Curie died in France. She was a pioneer in radioactivity research, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry).
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game was broadcast nationwide on television for the first time by NBC. The National League defeated the American League 7-3 at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., significantly increasing the event's popularity.