Historic Events on July 3: Notable occurrences throughout the years
On July 3, the world has witnessed a multitude of events, some momentous and others less so. One of the most significant historical events that occurred on this day is the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War.
In 1863, Union troops repelled a massive Confederate assault known as Pickett’s Charge on Cemetery Ridge in Pennsylvania. Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered Lieutenant General James Longstreet to send nine infantry brigades into a suicidal charge towards the Union position at Gettysburg, but despite his orders, Longstreet doubted the attack's success. The casualty rate during Pickett's Charge was a staggering 50%. This battle marked a turning point in the war, leading to the Confederates' retreat from the North.
Moving away from the American Civil War, the day has not been particularly significant for other figures mentioned. John William Bean, a mentally unstable youth, attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria on July 3, 1842, but there are no recorded notable incidents involving Queen Victoria specifically on this date in the provided sources. Similarly, Franz Kafka, the German-speaking Jewish writer, was born on 3 July 1883 in Prague, and William Henry Davies, the Welsh poet and writer, was born on 3 July 1871 in Newport, Monmouthshire, but there are no historical events related to these figures on July 3.
The Stone of Scone, a significant Scottish symbol, had been in Westminster Abbey since it was seized by King Edward I during the First War of Scottish Independence in 1296. In 1996, the Stone of Scone was promised to be returned to Scotland by the British government, following a long-standing demand, marking 700 years since its removal. In November 1996, the Stone of Scone was officially returned to Scotland and was met with patriotic fanfare. The return of the Stone of Scone brought up discussions about cultural treasures taken from their original homes during the British imperial years.
In conclusion, while July 3 has not been a significant day for figures like Queen Victoria, Franz Kafka, and William Henry Davies, it is undeniably a day of historical importance, marked by the Battle of Gettysburg and the return of the Stone of Scone to Scotland. These discussions about cultural treasures remain ongoing today.
Politics and general news outlets might report on the ongoing debates about cultural treasures, as the return of the Stone of Scone to Scotland in 1996 ignited discussions about items taken during Britain's imperial years. Meanwhile, sports analysts could delve into the military strategy of the Battle of Gettysburg, particularly the controversial order given by Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Lieutenant General James Longstreet, which resulted in the unsuccessful Pickett’s Charge.
