What Happened on July 1?

July 1 is International Joke Day — a day to share clean laughs — on the same date Canada became a nation in 1867, Sony sold the first Walkman in 1979, Gettysburg's huge battle began in 1863, and Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

• 1863 — The Battle of Gettysburg opens in Pennsylvania

  Confederate and Union troops clashed near Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, starting a three-day battle that became a turning point in the Civil War. Read the full story →

• 1867 — Canada becomes a self-governing dominion

  On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act united Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada. Read the full story →

• 1916 — The Battle of the Somme begins on the Western Front

  British and French forces attacked German lines near the Somme River on July 1, 1916 — one of World War I's bloodiest opening days. Read the full story →

• 1963 — The U.S. Postal Service rolls out ZIP codes nationwide

  On July 1, 1963, Americans began using five-digit ZIP codes to speed mail sorting as letter volume exploded after World War II. Read the full story →

• 1979 — Sony introduces the Walkman portable cassette player

  On July 1, 1979, Sony began selling the Walkman in Japan — a lightweight device that let people carry music in their pockets. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997) · Carl Lewis (1961) · Missy Elliott (1971) · Estée Lauder (1908–2004)

Days & observances

International Joke Day · Canada Day · National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day · National Postal Worker Day