July 8, 1971 The iconic Coca-Cola television ad "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" premieres. The radio version of the ad had aired the previous February. The radio version was such a hit, that radio listeners called in and asked to hear the commercial, enticing Coca-Cola to do a TV version. After the TV ad, ...

Lincoln Assassination Conspirators Hanged July 7, 1865 Four conspirators in U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's assassination are hanged in Washington D.C. The condemned included Mary E. Surratt, making her the First Woman Executed by the U.S. Federal Government. It was believed she provided assistance to Lincoln's killer...

The Day the Clowns Cried July 6, 1944 The worst tragedy in American circus history occurs when the big top tent at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus catches fire during a performance to a crowd of over 6,000. Many of the 168 deaths and over 700 injuries were caused by trampling as people stampeded out t...

President Garfield Assassination July 2, 1881 U.S. President James A. Garfield is shot and mortally wounded by Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Guiteau believed he deserved an appointed position due to his support of Garfield's presidential campaign. When that didn't ...

Civil War - Battle of Gettysburg July 1, 1863 The Battle of Gettysburg marked the beginning of the end of the war for the South. Confederate General Robert E. Lee had marched his men into Pennsylvania where he was met by Union General George G. Meade at Gettysburg. Before the battle ended on July 3rd, each side would l...