July 5, 1902 The Chicago Daily Tribune runs an article listing 21 casualties and 2,172 injuries from the Fourth of July celebrations, making note that these figures are "far from complete" Some notable details include a death "by fire set by punk" and injuries including the loss of eyes, limbs, and "fingers by the dozen…
Man sexually assaults, murders boy
July 5, 1946 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Donald Staley stabs 11-year-old Garry Billings to death, sexually assaulting the child before and after death Staley, a 29-year-old Canadian veteran, had befriended Garry and another boy on July 4, giving them gifts of candy and money. He asked the children to accompany him the next day, which…
Man cuts off own head with chainsaw in protest to being forced to move
July 5, 2008 Eastleigh, Hampshire, England David Phyall is found after decapitating himself with a chainsaw in protest to being forced to leave his home Phyall’s apartment complex (pictured) was scheduled to be cleared to make room for redevelopment. Although his housing association attempted to relocate Phyall to new accommodations on eleven occasions, he refused…
Man dies approximately 27 hours after biting into firecracker he thought was a candy
July 5, 1912 Appleton, Wisconsin A man dies after biting into a firecracker, believing it to be a piece of candy On July 3, Andrew Hoffman (52) had a pocket full of candies and torpedos (a type of fuseless firecracker that explodes on impact). At the time, most torpedos were spherical and approximately the size…
