What is July 2?
{{calendar}} {{day}} This date marks the halfway point of the year. In common years, the midpoint of the year occurs at noon on this date, while in leap years, it occurs at midnight. == Events == === Up to 1900 === * [[437]] &ndash; Emperor [[Valentinian III]] begins his reign over the Western [[Roman Empire]]. * [[626]] &ndash; [[China]]: Li Shimin, the future [[Emperor Taizong of Tang]], ambushes and kills his rival brothers [[Li Yuanji]] and [[Li Jiancheng]] in the Xuanwu Gate Incident. * [[706]] &ndash; In [[China]], [[Emperor Zhongzhong of Tang]] inters the bodies of relatives in the Qianling [[Mausoleum]], located on Mount Liang, outside [[Chang'an]]. * [[1266]] &ndash; The [[Treaty of Perth]] settles a territorial dispute between [[Scotland]] and [[Norway]] over the [[Hebrides]] and the [[Isle of Man]]. * [[1494]] &ndash; The [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] is ratified by [[Spain]]. * [[1555]] &ndash; The [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[admiral]] [[Turgut Reis]] sacks the [[city]] of Paola. * [[1561]] &ndash; [[Menas, Emperor of Ethiopia]] defeats a revolt in Emfraz. * [[1578]] &ndash; [[Martin Frobisher]] becomes the first [[Europe]]an to reach [[Baffin Island]]. * [[1582]] &ndash; [[Battle of Yamazaki]]: [[Toyotomo Hideyoshi]] defeats [[Akechi Mitsuhide]]. * [[1644]] &ndash; [[English Civil War]]: [[Battle of Marston Moor]]. * [[1679]] &ndash; [[Europe]]ans visit present-day [[Minnesota]] for the first time. * [[1698]] &ndash; [[Thomas Savery]] [[patent]]s the first steam [[engine]]. * [[1767]] &ndash; [[Philip Carteret]]'s expedition discovers [[Pitcairn Island]] in the Southern [[Pacific Ocean]], naming it after sea cadet Robert Pitcairn, who first sighted it. * [[1776]] &ndash; The [[Continental Congress]] adopts a resolution, severing ties with [[Great Britain]]. * [[1777]] &ndash; [[Vermont]] abolishes [[Slavery]]. * [[1823]] &ndash; [[Bahia]] Independence Day: End of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] rule in [[Brazil]]. * [[1839]] &ndash; Near [[Cuba]], 53 rebelling [[Africa]]n slaves take over the ship, ''[[Amist