1. The signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence
July 2, 1836, marks the day when the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in Washington-on-the-Brazos. This document declared Texas an independent republic separate from Mexico, leading to the famous Battle of San Jacinto and ultimately, Texas becoming a state in 1845.

2. The assassination of a president
On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau. The president was shot in the back at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington D.C. and died of his wounds 79 days later. Interestingly, Garfield was only in office for four months before his untimely death.

3. An important Civil War battle
The Battle of Gettysburg, one of the most significant and bloody battles of the American Civil War, began on July 2, 1863. Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered his troops to attack the Union Army, resulting in a devastating day of fighting with over 10,000 casualties on both sides. The battle would continue for two more days, ultimately resulting in a Union victory.

4. A heroic rescue
On July 2, 1979, a company of Texas Army National Guard soldiers rescued 18 people from the flooded Guadalupe River. The river had risen rapidly due to heavy rains, washing out campgrounds and stranding people in cabins and trees. The soldiers worked tirelessly to rescue those in danger, and their efforts were widely praised.

5. A famous birth
On July 2, 1908, Thurgood Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Marshall would go on to achieve many notable accomplishments, including becoming the first African American Supreme Court Justice in 1967. He was known for his work on landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, which helped to advance the cause of civil rights in America.