1 of 7 | President Lyndon B. Johnson (C) signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act as the Rev. Martin Luther, standing behind him, and others watch on July 2, 1964, in the White House. File Photo by Cecil Stoughton/White House Press Office July 2 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally adopted a resolution for independence from Britain. Advertisement In 1788, it was announced in the U.S. Congress that the new Constitution had been ratified by the required nine states, the ninth being New Hampshire. In 1839, slaves being shipped to Cuba revolted...