1776

American Declaration of Independence is approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The day is now Independence Day in the United States.

1862

Lewis Carroll, an Oxford University student narrates a story to a group of friends during a boat trip. The story is later published as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

1946

Republic of the Philippines is founded after 47 years of US rule.

1976

Israeli commandos raid hijacked airliner in Entebbe, Uganda, and rescue 103 hostages. Four Israelis, seven hijackers and about 20 Ugandan soldiers are killed.

1994

Tutsi rebels seize most of Kigali and another key city in Rwanda, ending the worst of the genocide by Hutu militants in those areas.

1997

The US spacecraft Pathfinder, carrying an explorer vehicle, lands on Mars. It is the first landing on Mars since 1976.

1999

Pope John Paul II blesses a new church that Roman citizens had promised to build 55 years earlier. On June 4, 1944, Allied troops were poised to enter Rome, citizens prayed for deliverance and an hour later German troops withdrew from the city.

2007

British Broadcasting Corp reporter Alan Johnston is released after nearly four months in captivity in the Gaza Strip, where he was held by the shadowy, little-known militant group Army of Islam.

2008

Italy grants Pompeii emergency status, a move that will allow authorities to appoint a special commissioner to oversee the site's preservation and management. — AP