JULY 2 | Birthdays and Events

Notable Birthdays for July 2

Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) - Lawyer and first Black Supreme Court Justice.

Ken Curtis (1916-1991) - Actor fondly remembered for his role as Festus in Gunsmoke.

Barry Gray (1916-1996) - Radio personality and interviewer who started call-in radio.

Medgar Evers (1925-1963) - WWII veteran and Civil Rights activist who was shot outside his home.

Dave Thomas (1932-2002) - Founder of the fast food restaurant Wendy's.

Polly Holliday (1937-Still Living) - Actress who played the sassy character Flo in the sitcom Alice.

Richard Petty (1937-Still Living) - The first race car driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship seven times.

Paul Williams (1939-1973) - Founding member and original lead singer of the Temptations (Motown).

Roy Bittan (1949-Still Living) - Rock piano and accordion player for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

Memorable Events for July 2

1776 - Adults in New Jersey are given the right to vote if they could show their net worth of $69.00 (50 pounds).

1862 - President Lincoln grants land for state agricultural colleges.

1881 - President Garfield is shot by Charles Guiteau.

1912 - Horn and Hardart opens the first N.Y. City self-service restaurant (also known as an "automat").

1921 - President Harding signs the Knox–Porter Resolution officially ending WWI.

1937 - Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan are last heard from over the Pacific Ocean.

1962 - The first Walmart store opens for business in Rogers, AR.

1979 - The Susan B. Anthony dollar is issued and becomes the first U.S. coin to honor a woman.