July 2 is an extremely historic day in American history in so many ways, more than typical.
July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, with the document being printed, and beginning to be signed on July 4.
July 2, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed Morrill Act, granting land for state agricultural colleges.
July 2, 1863, Second day of Battle of Gettysburg, turning point battle of Civil War.
July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot and mortally wounded by Charles Guiteau, died 79 days later on September 19, 1881, a tragedy I devote a chapter to in my Assassinations book, now out in paperback from Rowman Littlefield.
July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, most path breaking and historic civil rights law in American history.
July 2, 1986, the Supreme Court upheld Affirmative Action in two cases.