Happy Independence Day!
Here are some other important events in American history that happened today:
1817 – In Rome, New York, construction on the Erie Canal began.
1827 – Slavery was abolished in New York State
1863 – American Civil War: Siege of Vicksburg – Vicksburg, Mississippi surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant after 47 days of siege. 150 miles up the Mississippi River
1863 – American Civil War: The Army of Northern Virginia withdrew from the battlefield after losing the Battle of Gettysburg, signalling an end to the Southern invasion of the North.
