1. Emancipation Day: July 3, 1862, marks the day that President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which abolished slavery in the nation's capital. This act granted freedom to approximately 3,100 enslaved individuals, and it remains a celebrated holiday in the D.C. area.

2. Presidential Honor: On July 3, 1930, President Herbert Hoover signed a bill creating the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill consolidated various federal agencies focused on supporting veterans and providing them with medical care, education, and other benefits.

3. Women’s Rights: The Women's Suffrage Parade took place in Washington D.C. on March 3, 1913. The next day, on July 3rd, President Woodrow Wilson addressed more than 20,000 suffragettes gathered on the National Mall, expressing his support for their right to vote.

4. National Independence Day Concert: Since 1981, the National Symphony Orchestra has performed a free concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the day before Independence Day. This annual tradition has become an iconic part of the D.C. area's July 4th festivities, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the city each year.

5. Tragic Metro Crash: On July 3, 2009, a deadly crash occurred on the Washington D.C. Metro's Red Line. Nine individuals were killed, and 80 others were injured in what remains the deadliest accident in Metro's history. The tragedy sparked a review of the transit system's safety practices and infrastructure, resulting in significant changes to prevent future accidents.