DAY IN HISTORY

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Today is the 184th day of 2019 and the 13th day of summer.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

In 1775, George Washington assumed command of the Continental Army.

In 1844, the last two confirmed great auk specimens were killed on the island of Eldey, off the coast of Iceland.

In 1863, an assault by Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate forces failed, and the Battle of Gettysburg ended in a Union victory.

In 1890, Idaho was admitted as the 43rd U.S. state.

In 1998, Bill Clinton completed the first presidential visit to China since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: George M. Cohan (1878-1942), songwriter/ entertainer; Franz Kafka (1883-1924), author; Dave Barry (1947- ), author/journalist; Montel Williams (1956- ), TV personality; Tom Cruise (1962- ), actor; Thomas Gibson (1962- ), actor; Yeardley Smith (1964- ), actress; Connie Nielsen (1965- ), actress; Brian Cashman (1967- ), baseball executive; Teemu Selanne (1970- ), hockey player; Patrick Wilson (1973- ), actor; Olivia Munn (1980- ), actress.

TODAY’S FACT: The world speed record for a steam locomotive is held by London and North Eastern Railway’s Mallard, which reached 125.88 mph on this day in 1938. TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1974, Mike Marshall of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched in relief of starter Tommy John, setting a major-league record for consecutive games pitched in, at 13. TODAY’S QUOTE: “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.” -- Franz Kafka TODAY’S NUMBER: 24 -- films starring Tom Cruise that have grossed more than $200 million worldwide, as of June 2018. TODAY’S MOON: Between new moon (July 2) and first quarter moon (July 9).