June 26: Supreme Court
Supreme Court rules on June 26 that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. The court determined that DOMA violated the rights of gays and lesbians and also interfered with the states’ right to define marriage. The same day, Supreme Court overturned Proposition-8, the ban on same-sex marriage in California.
June 30: Egypt Protests
Over one million people gather in Egypt to protest and participate in demonstrations on the anniversary of their president Mohammed Morsi’s inaugaration. Protesters called for the president to step down from office due to Egypt’s poor economy along with many other issues.
July 6: San Francisco Plane Crash
While landing at the San Francisco International Airport, a passenger jet headed from Seoul, South Korea, crashes and catches fire. Three were killed and over 180 were taken to the hospital. The cause of the crash is not clear. Asiana Airlines sues a local TV station for reporting racist, false names of the pilots.
July 13: George Zimmerman
A Florida jury finds George Zimmerman not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot and killed Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, after an altercation between the two as Martin was walking home from a convenience store. The decision sparked much controversy over the Internet along with protests in several cities.
July 13: Cory Monteith
“Glee” actor Cory Monteith was found dead in his hotel room on July 13. Police did not suspect any foul play, and an autopsy later revealed Monteith died from a mix of heroin and alcohol. Lea Michelle, “Glee” actress and Monteith’s girlfriend, has resumed production on the TV show along with the rest of the cast. Monteith’s character Finn Hudson will be written off the show.
July 22: The Royal Baby
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William, gives birth to a baby boy on July 22. The couple makes their first public appearance on July 24 with the newborn baby while leaving the hospital and announces the baby’s name: George Alexander Louis. The Royal Baby is third in line to the throne.
