Today is Monday, July 2, the 184th day of 2012. There are 182 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 2, 1937, aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight along the equator.

On this date:

In 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution saying that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."

In 1812, Connecticut Gov. Roger Griswold declared his state's militia would not serve in the war against Britain, reflecting New Englanders' opposition to the conflict.

In 1862, during the Civil War, Confederate forces led by Gen. Robert E. Lee withdrew to Richmond, Va., after driving back Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's troops.

In 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Washington railroad station; Garfield died the following September. (Guiteau was hanged in June 1882.)

In 1912, the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore nominated New Jersey Gov. Woodrow Wilson for president.

In 1926, the United States Army Air Corps was created.

In 1961, author Ernest Hemingway shot himself to death at his home in Ketchum, Idaho.

In 1962, the first Walmart store (called "Wal-Mart Discount City") was opened in Rogers, Ark., by Sam Walton and his brother, James.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a sweeping civil rights bill passed by Congress.

In 1978, Andy Rooney delivered his first commentary on CBS' "60 Minutes" in which he criticized people who keep track of traffic fatalities on holiday weekends.

In 1982, Larry Walters of San Pedro, Calif., used a lawn chair equipped with 45 helium-filled weather balloons to rise to an altitude of 16,000 feet; he landed eight miles away in Long Beach.

In 1997, actor James Stewart died in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 89.

Ten years ago: American adventurer Steve Fossett became the first person to fly a balloon solo around the world as he returned to western Australia.

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