On July 3, 1775 in Cambridge, Massachusetts – George Washington took command over the Continental Army.

“Pushing on through Connecticut he reached Watertown, where he was received by the provincial congress of Massachusetts, on July 2, with every expression of attachment and confidence. Lingering less than an hour for this ceremony, he rode on to the headquarters at Cambridge, and when he came within the lines the shouts of the soldiers and the booming of cannon announced his arrival to the English in Boston.

The next day he rode forth in the presence of a great multitude, and the troops having been drawn up before him, he drew his sword beneath the historical elm-tree, and took command of the first American army. “His excellency,” wrote Dr. Thatcher in his journal, “was on horseback in company with several military gentlemen. It was not difficult to distinguish him from all others. He is tall and well proportioned, and his personal appearance truly noble and majestic.” “He is tall and of easy and agreeable address,” the loyalist Curwen had remarked a few weeks before; while Mrs. John Adams, warm-hearted and clever, wrote to her husband after the general’s arrival:
“Dignity, ease, and complacency, the gentleman and the soldier, look agreeably blended in him.
Modesty marks every line and feature of his face.
Those lines of Dryden instantly occurred to me, —

‘Mark his majestic fabric! He’s a temple
Sacred by birth, and built by hands divine;

His soul’s the deity that lodges there;
Nor is the pile unworthy of the God.’ ”

From: George Washington by Henry Cabot Lodge, published in 1898
https://archive.org/details/georgewashington01lodg2/page/136
Source says not in copyright

Image: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. “Washington at Cambridge–taking command of the army.” New York Public Library Digital Collections.
No known restrictions

The 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment’s 1st and 3rd Battalions made a dramatic combat jump onto Kamiri Airfield on Noemfoor Island on July 3–4, 1944. Despite the lack of immediate opposition from Japanese forces during the descent, danger persisted—over a hundred landing injuries, including fractures from flying debris, were caused by low-altitude drops and the rocky coral terrain. The paratroopers quickly advanced to seize Noemfoor’s vital airfields, supported by earlier aerial bombardment and resupplied by B-17 Flying Fortresses. A pivotal phase in the grueling Allied advance toward the Philippines, their campaign was characterized by short but violent skirmishes, including a desperate Japanese suicide attack on July 5.

“I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory.”

– John Adams in a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776

Birds-eye view of Boise, Idaho from 1000 ft. elev.
c. 1910

Idaho became the 43rd state on July 3, 1890.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

He really was a Yankee Doodle Dandy but unlike the song lyric, George M. Cohan was born on the 3rd of July, not the 4th, in 1878. He composed over 300 songs including patriotic standards like Over There, You’re a Grand Old Flag, and Yankee Doodle Boy.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

On July 3, 1940 The Abbott and Costello Show debuted on NBC Radio.
They had been performing together on previous projects, but the comedy duo finally had their own network radio program.

Image: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello postcard from 1947, public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Photograph of eight San Francisco Mint employees in the basement area with gold ingots.

On July 3, 1852 Congress approved a branch of the United States Mint in San Francisco, California.
It was opened two years later in 1854.

A portrait painting of Dorothy Quincy Hancock by Jonathan Singleton Copley

Dorothy was the wife of Founding Father John Hancock.

American born artist Jonathan Singleton Copley was born on July 3, 1738, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Image c. 1772 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

A gun and gunners that repulsed attack during Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

161 years ago today, Union forces repulsed over 12,000 Confederate soldiers on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Image via LOC, no known restrictions

Marvin Hart, a boxer nicknamed “The Louisville Plumber,” defeated Jack Root after 12 rounds on July 3, 1905 to win the heavyweight championship.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Tuna caught with rod and reel at Avalon, Santa Catalina Island

July 3, 1899

Image via LOC, no known restrictions

American pop music singer, Laura Branigan, known for her hit cover versions of “Gloria” and “Self Control” in the 80s, was born on July 3, 1952 in Brewster, New York.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Despite starring in Oliver Stone’s 1989 film Born on the Fourth of July, Tom Cruise was actually born on July 3, 1962—a day shy of the title he helped immortalize.

Image of Tom in 1989 by Alan Light CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

15-star American flag flying at Old Fort Erie in Ontario, Canada.

On July 3, 1814, American forces captured Fort Erie in Canada for a second time.

Image by Robert Linsdell via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0