On July 1, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg began in a small Pennsylvania town that no one thought would become the site of one of the most important battles of the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee had marched his army north, hoping to win a big victory on Union soil and maybe even force a peace deal. But waiting for him was the Army of the Potomac, led by Union General George Meade.

The battle lasted three brutal days — from July 1 to July 3 — and saw intense fighting in places that would become famous: Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, and Pickett’s Charge. Both sides took heavy losses, but by the end, Lee’s army was forced to retreat back to the South. It was a clear turning point in the war, as the Union finally stopped Lee’s momentum and gained the upper hand.

The numbers were staggering: about 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing, making Gettysburg the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil. Civilians in the area were left to deal with the aftermath, turning their town into a massive field hospital and burial site almost overnight.

So on July 1, 1863, what started as a chance encounter turned into a battle that changed the course of U.S. history. Gettysburg wasn’t the end of the war, but it marked the moment when the tide began to turn — and when the Union started fighting not just to win, but to redefine what the country stood for.

On July 1, 1904, the first Olympic Games ever held in the United States kicked off in St. Louis, Missouri, as part of the World’s Fair. It was only the third modern Olympics at the time, and while it marked a big milestone for American sports, the event was... kind of a mess. Originally planned for Chicago, the Games got relocated so they could be paired with the massive Louisiana Purchase Exposition — meaning the Olympics kind of got swallowed up by carnival rides, exhibitions, and sideshows.

The competition itself stretched from July to November, which is wild by today’s standards. And because of how far away St. Louis was for many international athletes — especially during an era of steamships and slow trains — most competitors ended up being American. Out of about 650 athletes, over 500 were from the U.S., so America dominated the medal count almost by default.

Still, some legendary moments came out of it. The 1904 Games were the first to award gold, silver, and bronze medals in the order we know today. And it also featured the first-ever boxing, freestyle wrestling, and decathlon events. But there were also some disasters — like the now-infamous marathon, where one runner was given rat poison and brandy as a “stimulant,” and another hitched a ride in a car for part of the race.

So on July 1, 1904, the U.S. officially joined the global Olympic stage — just in the most chaotic, World’s Fair kind of way. It wasn’t perfect, but it helped spark America’s long-running obsession with the Games.

City of Caral🏛️
Long before the Inca, the city of Caral in Peru was already thriving — over 4,000 years ago, making it older than the Egyptian pyramids. It had pyramids, a large amphitheater, intricate irrigation systems, and musical instruments made from bird bones — but remarkably, no signs of warfare. No weapons, no fortresses, just peaceful urban planning and trade. It’s one of the oldest known civilizations in the Americas, and proof that you don’t need conquest to build something timeless. 🏜️🎶

Mongolian Arrows🔥
The Mongols weren’t just masters of the bow — they were early pioneers of biological warfare. Their archers sometimes launched flaming arrows wrapped in sulfur, grease, and feces, designed not only to burn but to spread infection through open wounds. The combo created a projectile that was painful on impact and dangerous long after — a medieval weapon with a microbial twist. Leave it to the Mongols to make arrows extra disgusting. 🏹🔥🧫

Liquid Courage🍻
During the Crimean War in the 1850s, British troops were issued rum before major assaults — a ration known among soldiers as “liquid courage.” Intended to boost morale and numb fear, it sometimes led to blackouts before battle, especially in brutal charges like the Charge of the Light Brigade. Drunken bravery was baked into military routine — because nothing says strategy like stumbling into cannon fire with a flask in your coat. 🥃💂‍♂️

Wandering Wombs🩺
For centuries, doctors believed that hysteria in women was caused by a “wandering womb” — a uterus that drifted aimlessly through the body causing chaos. To treat it, physicians used sweet-smelling herbs or oils placed near the vagina, hoping to lure the uterus back into place like a misbehaving pet. This theory lasted for hundreds of years, showing just how far medicine can go when it forgets to ask women what’s actually wrong. 🌸🩺

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