What is July 4?
{{calendar}} {{day}} [[Aphelion]], the point during its orbit, when the [[Earth]] is furthest from the [[Sun]], occurs around this date. == Events == === Up to 1900 === * [[993]] &ndash; [[Ulrich of Augsburg]] is [[Canonization|canonized]] as a [[saint]]. * [[1054]] &ndash; [[China|Chinese]] [[astronomer]]s observe a [[supernova]]. * [[1187]] &ndash; The [[Crusades]]: [[Battle of Hattin]] – [[Saladin]] defeats [[Guy of Lusignan]], [[King]] of [[Jerusalem]]. * [[1534]] &ndash; [[Christian III of Denmark|Christian III]] is elected King of [[Denmark]] and [[Norway]]. * [[1569]] &ndash; The [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]] is created. * [[1610]] &ndash; [[Battle of Klushino]]: Fought between forces of the [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]] and [[Russia]]. * [[1744]] &ndash; The [[Treaty of Lancaster]], in which the [[Iroquois]] cede lands between the Allegheny [[Mountain]]s and the [[Ohio]] River to British colonies, is signed in Lancaster, [[Pennsylvania]]. * [[1754]] &ndash; [[French and Indian War]]: [[George Washington]] surrenders Fort Necessity to French captain Louis Coulon de Villiers. * [[1776]] &ndash; Officials from 13 British colonies in [[North America]] sign their [[Declaration of Independence]]; this is later celebrated every year by the [[US]]'s [[Independence Day (US)|Independence Day]]. * [[1802]] &ndash; At [[West Point, New York]], the [[United States Military Academy]] opens. * [[1803]] &ndash; The [[Louisiana Purchase]] is announced to the American people. * [[1805]] &ndash; The [[Louisiana]] [[Territory]] is created out of part of the land bought by the [[United States]] from [[France]] in the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. * [[1817]] &ndash; In Rome, [[New York (state)|New York]], building work on the [[Erie]] [[Canal]] begins. * [[1819]] &ndash; The [[Arkansas]] [[Territory]] is created. * [[1826]] &ndash; [[US]] [[President]]s [[John Adams]] and [[Thomas Jefferson]] both die on the 50th Anniversary of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. * [[1827]] &ndash; [[Slavery]] is abolished in [[New York