Discovery of Higgs boson particle is announced by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The existence of the elusive elementary particle in physics, was suggested in the 1960s. The Higgs boson, which is named after Nobel laureate, Peter Higgs, was finally detected by scientists working at the Large Hadron Collider.

Freedom of Information Act in the US is signed into law. The 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law, which allows for the disclosure of government information to the public. It came into effect a year later in 1967.

Philippines gains independence from the United States. The South East Asian country had been ruled for almost 381 years by various colonial powers, starting with the Spanish in the early 16th century.

Alice in Wonderland is published for the first time. The classic fantasy novel was written by author Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. The book recounted the adventures of a curious girl, Alice, who falls into a rabbit hole and meets human-like animals and creatures.

United States Declaration of Independence is adopted in Philadelphia. The statement declared the independence of the 13 British colonies from the British crown. It also announced the creation of a new country called the United States of America. Then handwritten declaration was approved by the Second Continental Congress and was signed by 56 delegates on August 2, 1776.