I don’t know why people have to announce their own birthday, but nevertheless – today is mine! This morning I was awaken today by my lovely wife and precious daughter who congratulated me first and gave me some cool presents – a cool field glass (almost a telescope), a Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD and nice car organizer where I can put my documents, drinks, maps etc. Hvala vam, moje lutkice!

So today is July 1 and it’s my birthday, but here are the other today’s anniversaries:

• 1863 – American Civil War: the Battle of Gettysburg begins.
• 1916 – First day on the Somme: On the first day of the Battle of the Somme 20,000 soldiers of the British Army are killed, and 40,000 wounded.
• 1960 – Independence of Somalia.
• 1979 – Sony introduces the Walkman.
• 2005 – Make Poverty History Day and Live8 Concert.

Births:

• 1646 – Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, German mathematician and philosopher (d. 1716)
• 1804 – George Sand (Amantine Aurore Lucile Dupin), writer (d. 1876)
• 1961 – Diana, Princess of Wales, (d. 1997)
• 1961 – Carl Lewis, American athletics legend, nine-time Olympic gold medalist
• 1972 – Claire Forlani, actress