30 fun facts for July, 2

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
July 2nd is a day of numerous historic and unique events, ranging from the first public television demonstration to the birth of Dolly the sheep. With celebrations such as World UFO Day and milestones like the opening of the first Walmart store, July 2nd holds a diverse mix of fascinating fun facts.
30 Fun facts
  1. July 2nd is World UFO Day, where people around the world gather to discuss and share stories of UFO sightings and possible extraterrestrial encounters. Alien enthusiasts also organize events to promote awareness and gather support for government transparency in UFO research.
  2. In 1566, Nostradamus, the famous astrologer, and prophet died on July 2nd. He is believed to have predicted many major world events, including the rise of Napoleon and Hitler, as well as the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  3. On July 2, 1962, American businessman Sam Walton opened the first-ever Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas, USA. Walmart has since become the world's largest retail company, operating thousands of stores worldwide and employing millions of people.
  4. Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1967. Marshall was a prominent civil rights activist and played a key role in ending segregation in the United States.
  5. On July 2, 1698, Thomas Savery patented the first steam engine. His invention paved the way for more efficient machinery, revolutionizing industry and transportation during the industrial revolution.
  6. The first issue of the New York City newspaper, The Village Voice, was published on July 2, 1955. The Voice became widely known for its provocative and alternative content, playing a significant role in shaping modern American journalism.
  7. July 2nd is National Anisette Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the sweet, anise-flavored liqueur often used in cocktails and desserts. Anisette originated in the Mediterranean region and has been popular for centuries.
  8. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress of the United States officially declared its independence from British rule, paving the way for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th.
  9. The first public demonstration of television took place in London on July 2, 1928. John Logie Baird, a British inventor, demonstrated the mechanical television system, which eventually led to the development of modern television systems.
  10. On July 2, 1964, United States President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. The act prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin, marking the end of segregation and the beginning of the modern civil rights movement.
  11. July 2nd is recognized as World Sports Journalists Day, honoring the journalists and reporters who cover the diverse world of sports. The day was established by the International Sports Press Association in 1994.
  12. On July 2, 1881, Charles J. Guiteau assassinated U.S. President James A. Garfield in Washington D.C. Garfield would later succumb to his injuries on September 19, 1881, making his presidential term one of the shortest in U.S. history.
  13. On July 2, 1858, a joint reading of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace's papers on evolution was presented to London's Linnean Society. Their independent research on natural selection laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology.
  14. The first zeppelin (airship) was tested by German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin on July 2, 1900. The rigid airship's ability to carry passengers and cargo led to the development of commercial air travel.
  15. On July 2, 1937, pilot Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared during their attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Their disappearance remains one of the most enduring mysteries in the history of aviation.
  16. The first speed record for an electric car was set on July 2, 1899, by Belgian Camille Jenatzy in a vehicle called "La Jamais Contente." He reached a top speed of 65.79 mph, breaking the previous record held by a steam-powered vehicle.
  17. In 1843, an alligator fell from the sky during a thunderstorm in Charleston, South Carolina on July 2. It is believed that the alligator was picked up by a waterspout and carried through the air before being dropped on the city.
  18. On July 2, 1947, the infamous Roswell UFO incident took place in New Mexico, USA. An unidentified object crashed near a ranch, sparking conspiracy theories about the existence of extraterrestrial life and government cover-ups.
  19. French aviator Louis Blériot became the first person to fly over the English Channel in a heavier-than-air aircraft on July 2, 1909. His flight marked the beginning of commercial air travel between England and France.
  20. In 2002, Steve Fossett became the first person to complete a solo balloon flight around the world on July 2. He embarked on his journey on June 19 and traveled over 20,000 miles before landing in Australia.
  21. On July 2, 2013, the Vatican announced that Pope John Paul II would be declared a saint after a second miracle was attributed to him. He was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014.
  22. July 2nd is National I Forgot Day in the United States, a day for acknowledging and making up for forgotten birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates.
  23. The construction of the Hoover Dam was completed on July 2, 1935. The dam, located on the border between Arizona and Nevada, remains a crucial source of hydroelectric power for the United States.
  24. The U.S. Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act on July 2, 1890. This groundbreaking legislation sought to eliminate monopolies and promote fair competition in the business world.
  25. On July 2, 1976, North Vietnam and South Vietnam were officially reunified under the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The merger marked the end of the Vietnam War and the long period of conflict in the country.
  26. On July 2, 1961, American author Ernest Hemingway died by suicide. A Nobel laureate and one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, Hemingway's works continue to be studied and admired today.
  27. In 1971, the 26th amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on July 2, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. The change was largely influenced by the Vietnam War and protests from young people demanding a voice in government.
  28. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (now known as the Internal Revenue Service or IRS) was established in the United States on July 2, 1862. The creation of the agency marked the beginning of the federal income tax system in America.
  29. On July 2, 1997, the Roslin Institute in Scotland announced the birth of Dolly the sheep, the first mammal to have been successfully cloned from an adult cell. Dolly's birth revolutionized the field of genetic science and sparked debates on the ethical implications of cloning.
  30. On July 2, 1885, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor aboard the French frigate Isère. A symbol of freedom and democracy, the monument was a gift from the people of France to the United States.

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