July 4

July 4 is the 185th day of the year, 180 days remaining

1054 - A supernova is observed by the Chinese, the Arabs and possibly Amerindians near the star ζ Tauri. For several months it remains bright enough to be seen during the day. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula.

1827 - Slavery is abolished in New York State.

1840 - The Cunard Line's 700 ton wooden paddle steamer RMS Britannia departs from Liverpool bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia on the first transatlantic crossing with a scheduled end.

1941 - Mass murder of Polish scientists and writers, committed by Nazi Germans in captured Polish city of Lwów.

1950 - First broadcast by Radio Free Europe.

1966 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Freedom of Information Act into United States law. The act goes into effect the next year.

1970 - Popular syndicated radio show, "American Top 40", hosted by "Casey Kasem, debuts.

1997 - NASA's Pathfinder space probe lands on the surface of Mars.

2006 - North Korea tests four short-range missiles one medium-range missile, and a long-range Taepodong-2. The latter reportedly fails in mid-air over the Sea of Japan.

Birthday

1330 - Ashikaga Yoshiakira, Japanese shogun
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashikaga_Yoshiakira

1790 - George Everest, Welsh surveyor and namesake of Mt. Everest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Everest

1927 - Gina Lollobrigida, Italian actress
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Lollobrigida