July 4

Thunder on the Mountain 2008 photographed by Grant Dopson

July 4 (Independence Day) in the history of the Birmingham District:

2018: A fire destroyed the former El Palacio / Mexico Lindo Autentico building in Hoover.
2008: Good People Brewing Company debuted their beers.
2007: African red river hogs Star, Spangle, and Banner went on display at the Birmingham Zoo.
2005: Dutch F-16 fighters equipped with infrared sensors unsuccessfully scanned Aruba's waters for Natalee Holloway's body.
1996: The Regions Center displayed 1996 Olympic Games graphics through July 28.
1989: Liberty National's 1/5th-scale bronze copy of the Statue of Liberty was dedicated at Liberty Park.
1980: The first annual Peavine Falls Run was held at Oak Mountain State Park.
1976: Trieu Duong and his family arrived in the United States from Viet Nam.
1975: Lynyrd Skynyrd headlined a concert at Rickwood Field.
1955: Asian elephant Mona went on display at the Birmingham Zoo.
1954: WBRC-TV became a CBS affiliate.
1949: WBRC-TV began broadcasting on VHF channel 4.
1948: Willie Mays made his debut at left field for the Birmingham Black Barons.
1902: The Avondale Odd Fellows Building was dedicated.
1891: The original 21st Street Viaduct was dedicated.
1881: Tuskegee Institute opened.
1873: A cholera epidemic spread to the general population following an Independence Day celebration at Blount Springs.
1872: A fire which started at B. F. Cheek's drug store destroyed 13 buildings in early Birmingham.
1863: Lieutenant Colonel J. F. B. Jackson was captured at the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi.
1853: The Alabama locomotive chugged into Shelby County.

A. G. Gaston, born July 4, 1892. Photograph courtesy BPL Archives

Births

2006: African red river hogs Star, Spangle, and Banner were born.
1934: Pitcher Elijah Gilliam was born in Gordonville, Lowndes County.
1933: Songwriter Baker Knight was born.
1930: Country singer Marion Worth was born in Birmingham.
1925: Dance studio and costume shop owner Nora Nash was born in Birmingham.
1921: Parks director Frank Wagner was born.
1914: Salvation Army commander Luther Smith was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
1892: Businessman A. G. Gaston was born.
1876: Coal operator Charles DeBardeleben was born in Prattville, Autauga County.

2016: Pulmonologist Ben Branscomb died.
2013: Private Errol Milliard was killed by rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan.
2011: Former UAB administrator Gloria Howton died.
2009: Hot dog vendor Billy Pappas died.
1965: Architect and matte painter Sigmund Nesselroth died in Santa Monica, California.
1916: Merchant A. B. Loveman died in Birmingham.