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Today in History: July 4

1712 12 slaves are executed for starting an uprising in New York that killed nine whites.

1776 The amended Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson, is approved and signed by John Hancock--President of the Continental Congress--and Charles Thomson, Congress secretary. The state of New York abstains from signing.

1803 The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people by President Thomas Jefferson

1817 Construction begins on the Erie Canal, to connect Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

1861 Union and Confederate forces skirmish at Harpers Ferry.

1894 After seizing power, Judge Stanford B. Dole declares Hawaii a republic.

1895 The poem America the Beautiful is first published.

1946 The United States grants the Philippine Islands their independence.

1960 The 50-star flag makes its debut in Philadelphia.

1976 An Israeli raid at Entebbe airport in Uganda rescues 105 hostages.

2019 US President Donald Trump holds a “Salute to America” Fourth of July celebration in Washington, D.C., controversial for its emphasis on the military and presence of tanks

2021 Sanford Clark, American country-rockabilly singer and guitarist ("The Fool"; "Son Of A Gun"), dies of Covid-19 while undegoing cancer treatment at 85

2022 Minneosta Twins turn 1st 8-5 triple play in MLB history as centerfielder Byron Buxton makes a catch and third baseman Gio Urshela tags one runner out in the basepath and doubles-off another runner by tagging second base against White Sox in Chicago

Born on July 4

1804 Nathaniel Hawthorne, American writer (The Scarlet Letter).

1872 Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States (1923-1929).

1927 Neil Simon, American playwright (The Odd Couple, The Prisoner of Second Avenue).

JOTD
Like father like son...

A young boy says to his father "Dad, our math teacher is asking to see you."
"What happened?" The father asks.
"Well, she asks me, 'how much is 7x9?' I answer '63' , then she asks, 'and 9x7?' so I asked 'what's the fricking difference?' "
"What is the difference?" asks the father. ''Sure, I'll go.''
The next day, the boy comes home from school "Dad, have you gone by the school?" He asks.
"Not yet."
"Well when you do, come and see the gym teacher also."
"Why?" asks the father.
The boy explains, "Well, we had a gym class today, and he asked me to raise my left arm, I did. Then my right arm, I also raised it. Then he asked me to lift my right leg, so I did. 'Now,' he says, 'lift your left leg,' so I asked 'What, am I suppose to stand on my dick!?'"
"Exactly," says the father. "Alright, I'll come."
The next day, the boy asks his father "Did you go to the school?"
"No, not yet."
"Don't bother, I got expelled."
Surprised, the father asks "Why did you get expelled?"
"Well, they summoned me to the principal's office, and sitting there were the math teacher, the gym teacher, and the art teacher."
"The frick was the art teacher doing there!?" asks the father.
"That's what I asked!" said the boy.