TODAYINHISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

July3, 1863

The three-day Civil War Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania ended in a major victory for the North as Confederate troops failed to breach Union positions during an assault known as Pickett’s Charge.

ALSO ON THIS DATE

1775

Gen. George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Mass.

1890

Idaho became the 43rd state of the Union.

1913

During a 50th anniversary reunion at Gettysburg, Pa., Civil War veterans re-enacted Pickett’s Charge, which ended with embraces and handshakes between the former enemies.

1938

President Franklin D. Roosevelt marked the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg by dedicating the Eternal Light Peace Memorial.

1950

The first carrier strikes of the Korean War took place as the USS Valley Forge and the HMS Triumph sent fighter planes against North Korean targets.

1976

Israel launched its daring mission to rescue 106 passengers and Air France crew members being held at Entebbe Airport in Uganda by pro-Palestinian hijackers; the commandos succeeded in rescuing all but four of the hostages.

1988

The USS Vincennes shot down an Iran Air jetliner over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290people aboard.

1992

The first U.S. Air Force C-130transport planes from Operation Provide Promise arrived in the besieged Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.

2008

The Pentagon announced it had extended the tour of 2,200Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time.