What happened on this day in history: The Battle of Gettysburg begins, Princess Diana is born, and more events from July 1st.
1863: The Battle Of Gettysburg Begins
Public DomainUnion soldiers lie dead after the Battle of Gettysburg. Circa July 4 – July 7, 1863.
The Battle of Gettysburg begins in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle, which endured until July 3, resulted in approximately 23,000 Union and 28,000 Confederate casualties. It was a resounding victory for the Union and a turning point in the American Civil War, which ended in April 1865.
1867: Canada Becomes A Country
The British North America Act goes into effect, creating the nation of Canada. The act brought together the territories of Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and opened the door for other provinces to join. This date is celebrated as “Canada Day” in Canada.
1898: Theodore Roosevelt Charges Up San Juan Hill
Future president Theodore Roosevelt becomes a national hero after leading a charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, in what Roosevelt later called “the greatest day” of his life.
1961: Princess Diana Is Born
Wikimedia CommonsPrincess Diana and actor John Travolta at the White House in 1985.
Diana Frances Spencer, later known as Princess Diana, is born in Sandringham, England. She famously married — and divorced — Prince Charles, with whom she had two children, William and Harry. Tragically, Princess Diana died in a car crash on August 31, 1997, while being chased by the paparazzi in Paris, France.
1976: Anneliese Michel Dies After Her Exorcism
Anneliese Michel dies after her exorcism in Germany. Diagnosed with epilepsy, Michel experienced frequent symptoms like seizures, trances, and memory loss.
These issues only got worse as she got older, prompting her to seek religious counsel. Priests would perform 67 exorcisms on the young woman. Over the course of these 67 exorcisms, Michel’s condition only got worse. After breaking her own bones, impulsively working out, and refusing to eat, Michel died of malnutrition and dehydration.
1981: The Wonderland Murders Shock Los Angeles
The so-called ‘Wonderland Murders‘ take place at 8763 Wonderland Avenue, a known drug house, in Los Angeles, California.
After movers next door heard moans, police discovered a crime scene spattered with blood and the bodies of four people: Barbara “Butterfly” Richardson, Joy Miller, Billy DeVerell, and Ron Launius. Police suspected that rival drug dealer Eddie Nash and a former pornographic actor named John Holmes had plotted the murders, but both men were aquitted at trial.
