1. On July 7, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee began his retreat from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, after suffering a major defeat in the three-day battle. This marked a turning point in the American Civil War and paved the way for eventual Union victory.

2. On July 7, 1928, construction began on the Virginia Memorial on the Gettysburg Battlefield. The memorial, which stands 44 feet tall, honors the Virginia soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Gettysburg.

3. On July 7, 1930, construction began on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The parkway, which spans over 400 miles, is one of the most scenic drives in the country, offering breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

4. On July 7, 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North testified before Congress about his involvement in the Iran-Contra affair. North, who was a member of the National Security Council, admitted to selling weapons to Iran in exchange for hostages and using the profits to fund the Contras in Nicaragua.

5. On July 7, 2016, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that he had restored voting rights to over 200,000 felons in the state. This controversial move drew criticism from Republicans who argued that it was an attempt to sway the upcoming presidential election in favor of the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.