1) On July 3, 1851, San Francisco held its first recorded Fourth of July celebration, a day early so as not to clash with work obligations. The festivities included a parade, speeches, and fireworks display.

2) In 1876, famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Though he did not have a direct impact on California until later in life, his architectural designs would come to be celebrated and replicated throughout the state.

3) July 3, 1928 marked the opening of the famed Mount Wilson Observatory, located high above Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. The observatory was home to some of the most advanced astronomical equipment of its time and was used to study the cosmos for decades.

4) On July 3, 1930, construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began in San Francisco. The iconic structure took four years to complete and now stands as a symbol of engineering excellence and artistic beauty.

5) July 3, 1984 saw the world premiere of Ghostbusters, the classic comedy featuring Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis. The film went on to become a cultural touchstone, inspiring countless imitators and a devout fan following that endures to this day.