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 →

• 1997 — Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty

  At midnight on July 1, 1997, Britain handed Hong Kong back to China after more than 150 years of colonial rule. 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