*Other* notable events from July 4

1803 – The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people.

1826 – John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third President of the United States respectively, both die on the fiftieth anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, of which they were both signatories.

1827 – Slavery is abolished in New York State.

1837 – Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway, opens between Birmingham and Liverpool.

1855 – In Brooklyn, New York, the first edition of Walt Whitman's book of poems, titled Leaves of Grass, is published.

1865 – Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is published.

1946 – After 381 years of near-continuous colonial rule, the Philippines attains full independence from the United States.

Here is the link, so your celebration should be a good one.