July 3: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

2018 Cardi B became the first female rapper to have two number 1s in the Billboard charts.

Her single "I Like It" topped the charts on this day. Her previous chart-topper was "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)," reaching #1 in 2017.

1985 “Back to the Future” was released in US theaters.

The hit classic movie had a budget of $19 million and grossed $389.1 million at the Box Office.

1969 A Soviet N1 rocket failed during its launch, causing the largest rocket explosion in recorded history.

The Soviet Union pinned all their hopes and dreams of landing anything on the moon on their N1 rocket, but time was against them. They tried to launch the N1 four times, but the second launch was the most catastrophic. A few seconds after lift-off, some of its engines failed, and it tipped on its side and crashed on its launch pad, blowing it up completely.

1928 Scotsman John Logie Baird demonstrated the color television transmission in London for the first time.

1890 Idaho became the 43rd state to join the United States of America.

1886 Mechanical engineer Karl Benz drove his first automobile in Mannheim, Germany.

The vehicle ran on just 0.75 horsepower and one cylinder with a four-stroke gasoline engine. The top speed it could achieve was 10 miles per hour.

1884 The world’s first stock index was published.

The first stock index was the Dow Jones Transportation Index which Charles Dow created.

1863 North America’s biggest battle, “The Battle of Gettysburg,” was won by the union.

Around 51,000 soldiers lost their lives during the battle.

1819 The Bank of Savings in New York City became the first bank in the US.

1767 Norway’s oldest newspaper, “Adresseavisen,” was first printed.

The newspaper is still in print under the Polaris Media Group.

1754 The Battle of Fort Necessity occurred.

On this day, George Washington had his first military experience in Pennsylvania. The battle was against France, but they were too strong and numerous; thus, Washington surrendered.

1608 French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City, Canada.

1187 Saladin’s troops surrounded the Jerusalem Crusaders, so they were unable to reach the Springs of Kafr Hattin and would lose the battle.

On this day, Muslim armies defeated the Jerusalem Crusaders under the direction of Saladin (Sultan of Egypt). The battle was due to take place in Tiberias, which is present-day Israel. However, Saladin's army cut off access to water supplies 6 miles (9.7 km) from Tiberias, making the Jerusalem Crusaders thirsty. Saladin's army also tormented the crusaders by lighting the surrounding grass to dry their throats further and weaken them for battle.