July 2

2001- Robert Tools became the first recipient in the world to receive an AbioCor, a self contained artificial heart, at Saint Thomas hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

July 3

1940- Rhythm and Blues singer Fontella Bass was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She is noted for her recoding of hit song “Rescue Me.”

July 4

1963- Marian Anderson and Ralph Bunche receive the first Medals of Freedom from then President John F. Kennedy, who created the honor.

July 5

1899- Anna Arnold Hedgeman, the first woman to serve in the cabinet of the New York City mayor, was born in Marshalltown, Iowa.

July 6

2002- Serena Williams beat her sister Venus to win the Wimbledon Women’s singles competition.

July 7

1972- Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Lisa Leslie was born in Inglewood, California. She was selected to play center for the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997.