July is the seventh month of the year (between June and August) in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honor of the Roman general, Julius Caesar, it being the month of his birth. Prior to that, it was called Quintilis. It is, on average, the warmest month in most of the Northern hemisphere (where it is the second month of summer) and the coldest month in much of the Southern hemisphere (where it is the second month of winter). The second half of the year commences in July. In the Southern hemisphere, July is the seasonal equivalent of January in the Northern hemisphere.
July symbols: The birthstone of July is the ruby, which symbolizes contentment. Its birth flowers are the Larkspur or the Water Lily. The zodiac signs for the month of July are Cancer (until July 22) and Leo (July 23 onwards).
Historical Events for July, 1863
Day of Week 1st » Keti Koti (Emancipation Day) in Suriname, marking the abolition of slavery by the Netherlands.
1st » American Civil War: The Battle of Gettysburg begins.
Day of Week 4th » American Civil War: Siege of Vicksburg: Vicksburg, Mississippi surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant after 47 days of siege. One hundred fifty miles up the Mississippi River, a Confederate Army was repulsed at the Battle of Helena, Arkansas.
4th » American Civil War: The Army of Northern Virginia Battle of Gettsyburg Confederate retreat withdrew from the battlefield after losing the Battle of Gettysburg, signalling an end to the Confederate States of America Southern Gettysburg Campaign invasion of
Day of Week 7th » United States begins its first Conscription e.g military draft; exemptions cost $300.
Day of Week 9th » American Civil War: The Siege of Port Hudson ends.
Day of Week 13th » New York City draft riots: In New York City called New York, New York, opponents of conscription begin three days of rioting which will be later regarded as the worst in History of the United States named United States history.
Day of Week 18th » American Civil War: Second Battle of Fort Wagner one of the first formal African American military units, the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, supported by several white regiments, attempts an unsuccess
Day of Week 30th » American Indian Wars: Representatives of the United States and tribal leaders including Pocatello (Shoshoni chief) named Chief Pocatello (of the Shoshone) sign the Box Elder Treaty called Treaty of Box Elder.
Famous Birthdays on July in 1863
1st » William Grant Stairs, Canadian-English captain and explorer (d. 1892)
12th » Albert Calmette, French physician, bacteriologist, and immunologist (d. 1933)
12th » Paul Drude, German physicist and academic (d. 1906)
21st » C. Aubrey Smith, English-American cricketer and actor (d. 1948)