"The instinctive feeling of a great people is often wiser than its wisest men."

-- Louis Kossuth, Hungarian statesman (1802-1894).

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution saying that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."

In 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Washington railroad station; Garfield died the following September. (Guiteau was hanged in June 1882.)

In 1926, the United States Army Air Corps was created.

In 1937, aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight along the equator.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a sweeping civil rights bill passed by Congress.

In 1979, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was released to the public.

Country singer Marvin Rainwater is 84.

Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos is 80.

Jazz musician Ahmad Jamal is 79.

Actress Polly Holliday is 72.

Writer-director-comedian Larry David is 62.

Rock musician Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band) is 60.

Actress-model Jerry Hall is 53.

Race car driver Sam Hornish Jr. is 30.

Singer Michelle Branch is 26.

Figure skater Johnny Weir is 25.

Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale is 24.

Actress Lindsay Lohan is 23.