The Fourth of July holds a magical place in American history. Its obvious link with the Declaration of Independence aside, the date has also seen the near-simultaneous deaths of American founders and titans John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1826, the death of former President James Monroe in 1831, and Henry David Thoreau going to Walden in 1845, among other historically notable events.
The Yankees also have a rich relationship with the Fourth of July. In 1939 on Independence Day, Lou Gehrig delivered his famed address to the crowd at Yankee Stadium. In 1983, Dave Righetti threw a no-hitter on the anniversary of American independence.