1634day.year
The city of Trois-Rivières is founded in New France (now Quebec, Canada).
The settlement of Trois-Rivières was founded in present-day Quebec, establishing one of Canada’s earliest European communities.
Founded on July 4, 1634, by French fur traders Laviolette and partners, Trois-Rivières became the second permanent settlement in New France after Quebec City. Situated at the meeting point of the Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence rivers, it served as a strategic fur trade hub. The settlement's name, meaning Three Rivers, refers to the islands that split the river's flow. Early inhabitants built a seigneurial manor and fortifications to protect against Iroquois raids. Over time, Trois-Rivières developed as an agricultural and industrial center, fostering cultural and economic growth. The city played important roles in colonial conflicts and the fur trade. Today, it is celebrated for its rich heritage and historic old town.
1634
Trois-Rivières
New France
1827day.year
Slavery is abolished in the State of New York.
New York State officially abolishes slavery, marking a major step in the movement against human bondage in the northern United States.
On July 4, 1827, New York State fully abolished slavery, freeing hundreds of enslaved people.
The gradual emancipation law of 1799 finally took full effect on this date.
It represented a turning point in the northern states’ move away from slavery.
Abolition in New York inspired other states and fueled calls for nationwide emancipation.
Formerly enslaved individuals began new lives as free citizens with legal rights.
This milestone renewed debates over slavery and civil rights that would intensify before the Civil War.
1827
Slavery
State of New York
1832day.year
John Neal delivers the first public lecture in the US to advocate the rights of women.
John Neal delivers the first known public lecture in the United States advocating for women’s rights, ahead of the suffrage movement.
On July 4, 1832, John Neal delivered the first recorded public lecture in the United States advocating for women’s rights.
His address highlighted legal and social inequalities that limited women’s opportunities.
Neal’s bold advocacy marked a pivotal moment in the early struggle for gender equality.
He challenged prevailing norms, calling for expanded access to education, work, and suffrage.
The lecture set a precedent for future activists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Neal’s pioneering words helped lay the groundwork for the American women’s suffrage movement.
1832
John Neal
1832day.year
Durham University established by Act of Parliament; the first recognized university to be founded in England since Cambridge over 600 years earlier.
Durham University is founded by Act of Parliament, becoming England’s first new university since Cambridge over six centuries earlier.
On July 4, 1832, the British Parliament passed an act establishing Durham University.
It became the first recognized university founded in England since Cambridge in 1209.
The new institution aimed to broaden higher education beyond the traditional centers of Oxford and Cambridge.
Durham’s colleges and faculties opened doors to a growing professional and academic community.
Its foundation marked a significant expansion of educational opportunity in the 19th century.
Today, Durham remains one of the UK’s leading research universities.
1832
Durham University
Act of Parliament
England
Cambridge
1881day.year
In Alabama, the Tuskegee Institute opens.
The Tuskegee Institute opens in Alabama under Booker T. Washington, pioneering vocational education for African Americans.
On July 4, 1881, the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers was founded in Tuskegee, Alabama, by educator and leader Booker T. Washington. Initially operating from a few humble buildings, the school emphasized practical skills in agriculture, carpentry, and domestic science. Washington's philosophy of self-reliance and vocational training aimed to uplift the newly emancipated African American population. Over time, the institution grew into Tuskegee University, attracting prominent faculty and producing influential graduates such as George Washington Carver. The school's success became a model for industrial education and played a key role in the advancement of civil rights and racial uplift.
1881
Alabama
Tuskegee Institute
1887day.year
The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, joins Sindh-Madrasa-tul-Islam, Karachi.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah enrolls at Sindh-Madrasa-tul-Islam in Karachi, embarking on his formative education.
On July 4, 1887, young Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who would later become the founder of Pakistan, began his studies at Sindh-Madrasa-tul-Islam in Karachi. The institution offered a modern curriculum blending traditional Islamic teachings with English-language instruction. Jinnah's early education there laid the groundwork for his legal training in London and his future political leadership. The multicultural environment exposed him to diverse ideas and set the stage for his advocacy of Muslim rights. This formative period was a testament to Jinnah's burgeoning intellect and ambition.
1887
Pakistan
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Sindh-Madrasa-tul-Islam
Karachi
1910day.year
The Johnson–Jeffries riots occur after African-American boxer Jack Johnson knocks out white boxer Jim Jeffries in the 15th round. Between 11 and 26 people are killed and hundreds more injured.
Racial riots broke out in U.S. cities after Jack Johnson’s victory over Jim Jeffries, resulting in deadly violence.
On July 4, 1910, African-American heavyweight champion Jack Johnson defeated former champion Jim Jeffries in what was billed as the Fight of the Century.
The outcome enraged white supremacists, sparking riots in cities like New York and Chicago.
Between 11 and 26 people were killed and hundreds injured during the unrest, as mobs targeted Black communities.
The riots exposed the deep racial tensions of the Jim Crow era and prompted national debates over race relations and media coverage.
This eruption of violence highlighted how sports events could ignite broader social conflicts in early 20th-century America.
1910
Johnson–Jeffries riots
1946day.year
The Kielce pogrom against Jewish Holocaust survivors in Poland.
In Kielce, Poland, a violent pogrom erupts against Jewish Holocaust survivors, resulting in the deaths of dozens of innocents.
On July 4, 1946, groundless rumors of child abduction sparked a brutal pogrom in the city of Kielce. Mobs attacked Jewish residents who had survived the Holocaust, looting homes and brutally beating victims. At least 41 Jews were killed and many more were wounded in the violence. Local authorities were either complicit or failed to intervene effectively. The massacre shocked the international community and underscored the persistence of antisemitism in post-war Europe. The Kielce pogrom prompted Jewish survivors to flee Poland and influenced the eventual establishment of the Israeli state.
1946
Kielce pogrom
1954day.year
Food rationing in Great Britain ends, with the lifting of restrictions on sale and purchase of meat, 14 years after it began early in World War II, and nearly a decade after the war's end.
Britain lifts meat rationing, ending a key element of wartime austerity 14 years after it began.
On July 4, 1954, the United Kingdom officially ended wartime food rationing, lifting restrictions on meat sales and purchases.
Introduced in 1940 to ensure fair distribution during World War II, rationing had persisted nearly a decade after the conflict ended.
The end of meat rationing symbolized Britain's recovery from wartime scarcity and postwar economic challenges.
Shoppers flocked to markets and butcher shops, celebrating newfound abundance and choice.
This milestone marked a turning point in British social life, as the nation embraced renewed prosperity and normalcy.
1954
Food rationing in Great Britain
World War II
2009day.year
The Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to the public after eight years of closure due to security concerns following the September 11 attacks.
The crown of the Statue of Liberty reopened to visitors after being closed for eight years due to post-9/11 security measures.
On July 4, 2009, the iconic Statue of Liberty's crown reopened to the public for the first time since the September 11 attacks. The closure had been enacted in 2001 to address security concerns following the terrorist attacks. Extensive renovations were carried out to upgrade security checkpoints, fire safety systems, and visitor pathways. The reopening allowed tourists to ascend 162 steps to the crown's observation windows, offering panoramic views of New York Harbor. The event was celebrated as a symbol of resilience and freedom on America's Independence Day. Over 50,000 visitors would experience the restored access in the following weeks. The National Park Service continues to enforce strict security and reservation requirements to protect this historic landmark.
2009
Statue of Liberty
September 11 attacks