Today in History: US granted independence to the Philippines in 1946

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on July 4 throughout history:

1. Battle of Mantinea

362 BC – The Thebans, under Epaminondas, defeated the Spartans at Mantinea.

2. Theodosius II yields power to Pulcheria

414 – On July 4, Emperor Theodosius II (age 13) formally ceded power to his sister Aelia Pulcheria, who assumed regency as Augusta.

3. Supernova SN 1054

1054 – A bright supernova, visible in daylight and later forming the Crab Nebula, was first observed.

4. Battle of Hattin

1187 – Saladin’s forces defeated the Crusader army on the Horns of Hattin.

5. Founding of Trois‑Rivières

1634 – The city in New France (now Quebec, Canada) was officially founded.

6. Declaration of Independence adopted

1776 – The Second Continental Congress approved the U.S. Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

7. West Point opens

1802 – The United States Military Academy at West Point held its first official classes.

8. Construction of the Erie Canal begins

1817 – Groundbreaking occurred in Rome, New York, launching construction of the Erie Canal.

9. Deaths of Jefferson and Adams

1826 – Former U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, within hours of one another.

10. US grants independence to the Philippines

1946 – The Republic of the Philippines gained full independence from the United States.