This Day in Naval History - July 04

From the Navy News Service 1776 - American colonies declare their independence from Great Britain. 1777 - John Paul Jones hoists first Stars and Stripes flag on Ranger at Portsmouth, N.H. 1801 - First Presidential Review of U.S. Marine Band and Marines at the White House. 1831 - U.S. concludes indemnity treaty with France. 1842 - First test of electrically operated underwater torpedo sinks gunboat Boxer. 1863 - Confederates surrender of Vicksburg, Miss., gives Union control of Mississippi River.