July 9th

After more than 50 years of struggle, South Sudan declares independence and becomes Africa's 54th state.

The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa.

Boxer Mike Tyson was temporarily banned from boxing for biting Evander Holyfield's ear.

Donkey Kong is released by Nintendo. Nintendo's famous character Mario debuted as Jumpman in this popular arcade game.

Former U.S. chief justice Earl Warren died in Washington, DC.

Andy Warhol's iconic Campbell's Soup Cans make their debut. The Soup Cans were first displayed at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, California, and were instrumental in popularizing Pop Art in the United States.

Lituya Bay megatsunami. A megatsunami, a tsunami whose waves are higher than a normal tsunami, hit Lituya Bay in Alaska, United States, resulting in a wave that was recorded to be 1,720 feet or 516 meters high. This is the highest wave recorded in history.

British battleship HMS Vanguard explodes at Scapa Flow (the result of an internal explosion of faulty cordite), killing 804.

The British Parliament proclaimed that as of Jan. 1, 1901, the six Australian colonies would be united at the Commonwealth of Australia.

William Jennings Bryan delivered his "cross of gold" speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Daniel Williams performs 1st successful open heart surgery without anesthesia.

The first Wimbledon Championship is held. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London hosted the first Wimbledon championship, which was not only the first tennis championship held in England but was also a precursor to grand slam tournaments. 22 men competed in the championship and Spencer Gore became the first person to win the Wimbledon tournament.

The doughnut cutter was patented by John F. Blondel of Thomaston, Me.

Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the U.S., died after only 16 months in office.

Argentina formally declared independence from Spain.

Russo-Swedish War: Second Battle of Svensksund - in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Navy captures one third of the Russian fleet.

Turko-Mongol ruler Tamerlane (Timur) destroys Baghdad, killing 20,000.