1. On July 3, 1775, George Washington took command of the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This marked the beginning of his military leadership during the American Revolution.

2. On July 3, 1863, the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was in the midst of a three-day battle that would become the deadliest and most famous of the Civil War. Many Virginians fought in this battle, as the state was a key player in the Confederacy.

3. In 1930, the first drive-in movie theater in Virginia opened on July 3 in the city of Norfolk. This unique theater allowed audiences to watch movies from the comfort of their cars, and it became a popular form of entertainment throughout the mid-20th century.

4. On July 3, 1950, Shands Bridge was dedicated in Florida. This bridge, named after Virginia resident Nathanial H. Shands, was the longest concrete drawbridge in the world at the time, and it played an important role in connecting Florida to other parts of the country.

5. In 1997, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opened a new wing on July 3 that was dedicated exclusively to Art Nouveau and Art Deco design. This unique collection features furniture, glassware, and sculptures from some of the most influential designers of the early 20th century.