On this day: 5 July

The official opening of Constantine's Bridge built over the Danube between Sucidava (Corabia, Romania) and Oescus (Gigen, Bulgaria) by the Roman architect Theophilus Patricius.

The Burgundian and Majorcan claimants of the Principality of Achaea meet in the Battle of Manolada.

The Maronite College is established in Rome.

Portuguese forces under the command of Pedro Lopes de Sousa begin an unsuccessful invasion of the Kingdom of Kandy during the Campaign of Danture in Sri Lanka.

The Battle of Chesma between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire begins, resulting in one of the worst naval defeats of the Ottomans since Lepanto.

The Second Continental Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition.

The Battle of Wagram between the French and Austrian Empires begins.

The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence is adopted by a congress of the provinces.

Algiers surrendered to French invaders, ending the Regency of Algiers (coat of arms pictured).

Admiral Charles Napier vanquishes the navy of the Portuguese usurper Dom Miguel at the third Battle of Cape St. Vincent.

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass delivers his "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" speech at a meeting organized by the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, New York.

The United States discovers and claims Midway Atoll.

The United States Secret Service begins operation.

Germany takes possession of Cameroon.

The Liberty Bell leaves Philadelphia by special train on its way to the Panama–Pacific International Exposition. This is the last trip outside Philadelphia that the custodians of the bell intend to permit.

Brazilian Army rebels took over Fort Copacabana and launched a rebellion in Rio de Janeiro against President Epitácio Pessoa and President-elect Artur Bernardes.

The National Labor Relations Act, which governs labor relations in the United States, is signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Hormel Foods Corporation introduced Spam, the canned precooked meat product that would eventually enter into pop culture, folklore, and urban legend.

World War II: Operation Barbarossa: German troops reach the Dnieper river.

World War II: An Allied invasion fleet sails for Sicily (Operation Husky, July 10, 1943).

World War II: German forces begin a massive offensive against the Soviet Union at the Battle of Kursk, also known as Operation Citadel.

Second World War: Canadian troops defeated the last German counterattacks against Carpiquet, Normandy, France.

Named after Bikini Atoll, the site of the nuclear-weapons test Operation Crossroads in the Marshall Islands, the modern bikini was introduced at a fashion show in Paris.

Korean War: In the first encounter between North Korean and American forces, an unprepared and undisciplined U.S. Army task force was routed at the Battle of Osan.

The Knesset of Israel passes the Law of Return which grants all Jews the right to immigrate to the Land of Israel.

Elvis Presley recorded his first single, "That's All Right", at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.

The official independence of Algeria is proclaimed after an eight-year-long war with France.

The Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years, is formally certified by President Richard Nixon.

Cape Verde gains its independence from Portugal.

The Pakistan Armed Forces under Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq seize power in Operation Fair Play and begin 11 years of martial law. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, is overthrown.

Swedish tennis player Björn Borg wins his fifth Wimbledon final and becomes the first male tennis player to win the championships five times in a row (1976–1980).

The United States Supreme Court gives its United States v. Leon decision providing a good-faith exception from the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule against use of evidence obtained through defective warrants in criminal trials.

United States National Security Council member Oliver North was given a suspended sentence, probation, and community service for his part in the Iran–Contra affair.

Jeff Bezos founds Amazon.

Armenia adopts its constitution, four years after its independence from the Soviet Union.

Dolly the sheep becomes the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.

The World Health Organization announces that the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak has been contained.

Indonesia held its first direct presidential elections, which resulted in the election of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as President of Indonesia after the second round on September 20.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting hours after North Korea reportedly tested at least seven ballistic missiles.

The Juno space probe arrives at Jupiter and begins a 20-month survey of the planet.

The last Ariane 5 rocket is launched, carrying the Heinrich Hertz and Syracuse 4B satellites.