Historical Events
- Jul 3 George Washington takes command of Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts
Event of Interest
Jul 5 Second Continental Congress drafts the Olive Branch Petition to King George III

George III
- Jul 6 Congress issues "Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking up Arms", listing grievances but denying intent to be independent
Event of Interest
Jul 10 Horatio Gates issues order excluding blacks from Continental Army

Horatio Gates
- Jul 17 1st military hospital approved
Event of Interest
Jul 26 US Continental Congress creates United States Post Office (U.S.P.O.) in Philadelphia under Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
Event of Interest
Jul 30 Captain James Cook with Resolution returns to England

James Cook
Famous Birthdays
- Jul 5 William Crotch, English composer, born in Norwich, Norfolk, England (d. 1847)
- Jul 9 Matthew Lewis, English novelist (The Monk), born in London (d. 1818)
- Jul 17 August Harder, German composer, born in Schönerstädt (d. 1813)
- Jul 23 Étienne-Louis Malus, French physicist (Polarization of light), born in Paris (d. 1812)
- Jul 24 Eugène François Vidocq, French criminal and police detective, born in Arras, France (d. 1857)
- Jul 25 Anna Symmes Harrison, 9th 1st lady (1841), born in Morristown, New Jersey (d. 1864)