1775 – Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is signed in Charlotte, North Carolina
1861 – The state of Kentucky proclaims its neutrality, which will last until Sept. 3, when Confederate forces enter the state. Meanwhile, North Carolina secedes from the Union.
1862 – U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act into law.
1891 – The first public display of Thomas Edison's prototype kinetoscope.
1920 – Montreal, Quebec radio station XWA broadcasts the first regularly scheduled radio programming in North America.
