CA, US & World
This Week in History: Amazon's Founding, Althea Gibson's Wimbledon Victory and NASA's Final Shuttle Mission
This week in history highlights three milestone moments that shaped business, sports and space exploration.
On July 5, 1994, Jeff Bezos and his then-wife, MacKenzie Scott, founded a company originally called Cadabra. The name was soon changed to Relentless before eventually becoming Amazon. The company launched as an online bookstore and has since grown into one of the world's largest technology and retail companies, with a market value exceeding $2.5 trillion.
One day later in history, on July 6, 1957, Althea Gibson made history at Wimbledon by becoming the first Black player to win the prestigious women's singles championship at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Gibson successfully defended her title the following year and finished her remarkable career with 11 Grand Slam championships.
Another historic milestone came on July 8, 2011, when NASA launched Space Shuttle Atlantis on the agency's final space shuttle mission. The flight delivered supplies and equipment to the International Space Station before Atlantis returned to Earth on July 21, bringing an end to the Space Shuttle Program that began in 1981 with the launch of Columbia.
These milestones continue to serve as reminders of groundbreaking achievements in innovation, sports and space exploration.
CNN Newsource contributed to this report.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: CNN Newsource
July 5, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
Tim O’Brien introduces Game 2 as the Coachella Valley Firebirds take on the San Diego Gulls! #CVFirebirds #FirebirdsHockey #SanDiegoGulls #AHL #hockeynight
Hurricane Isaias is bringing worsening conditions to Gulf Shores, Alabama, with strong tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain. CNN’s Isabel Rosales describes the intense conditions as the storm approaches. #HurricaneIsaias #SevereWeather #Alabama
Concussion protocol? “You just rub some dirt on it.” 😭🛼 Have you been to a roller derby game yet? Let us know below 👇 #rogginreport #coachellavalley #rollerderby #localsports #nbcpalmsprings
New music Friday! Sheryl Crow drops her 12th studio album, “Pick You Up,” while Greta Van Fleet returns with “Palace for the People.” Plus, British indie band The Lilacs release their debut album, “Keeping Up With The Joneses.” Which new release are you listening to first?
🐕 Desert Hot Springs is cutting ties with a dog rescue in Washington state after an animal cruelty investigation involving nearly 30 dogs. The city suspended its partnership with Pittie Project PNW yesterday. Detectives were called to the property on Monday where they found dogs injured, underweight and living in filthy conditions without enough food or water. Investigators discovered that the property's owner, 38-year-old Ashley Georgia, was solely responsible for their care. All of the dogs were removed and are now getting medical attention.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
What do you think is really going on here? Drop your thoughts below 👇 #therogginreport #coachella #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
During the 2025-2026 school year, PEN America reported there were nearly 12,000 book bans in public schools nationwide, the largest number of book bans in a single year since the group started tracking numbers in 2021.
Delta Airlines overhauled its frequent flyer program in 2024. CNN’s Randi Kaye asks Delta CEO Ed Bastian if the airline has made it more difficult for flyers to earn status and if any further changes to the loyalty program are on the horizon.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Favorite Festival?