Today is Thursday, July 5, the 187th day of 2012. There are 179 days left in the year.

1687 ― Isaac Newton's PRINCIPIA published by Royal Society in England

1811 ― Venezuela becomes first South American country to gain independence from Spain

1841 ― Thomas Cook opens first travel agency

1932 ― Oliveira Salazar becomes dictator of fascist Portugal

1944 ― Harry Crosby takes first rocket airplane, MX-324, for maiden flight

1962 ― Algeria gains independence after 132 years of French rule

1963 ― First Beatle tune to hit U.S. charts, Del Shannon ``From Me to You" at No. 87

1969 ― Rolling Stones play a free concert in London's Hyde Park

1983 ― Woman gives birth to baby 84 days after brain death (Roanoke, Va.)

1986 ― Nancy Reagan cuts red, white and blue ribbon; reopens Statue of Liberty