June 26

Scott Winters June 26, 2025 1 Comment

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1804 – The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the mouth of the Kansas River after completing a westward trek of nearly 400 river miles.

1819 – The bicycle was patented by W.K. Clarkson, Jr.

1844 – John Tyler took Julia Gardiner as his bride, thus becoming the first President to marry while in office.

1870 – The first section of the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ, was opened to the public.

1894 – The American Railway Union called a general strike in sympathy with Pullman workers.

1900 – A commission that included Dr. Walter Reed began the fight against the deadly disease yellow fever.

1927 – The Coney Island “Cyclone” roller coaster opened in New York, NY.

1934 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act, which established credit unions.

1936 – The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 made its first flight. It is often considered the first practical helicopter.

1942 – The Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter was flown for the first time.

1945 – The U.N. Charter was signed by 50 nations in San Francisco, CA.

1959 – President Dwight Eisenhower joined Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in ceremonies officially opening the St. Lawrence Seaway.

1963 – President John Kennedy announced “Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner) at the Berlin Wall.

1971 – The U.S. Justice Department issued a warrant for Daniel Ellsberg, accusing him of giving away the Pentagon Papers.

1974 – In Troy, OH, a Marsh supermarket installed the first bar code scanning equipment, made by IBM. A Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code was placed on Juicy Fruit gum and a bar code was scanned for the first time. The buyer returned the pack and it is now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

1975 – Sonny and Cher were divorced in Santa Monica, CA. Four days later, she married Gregg Allman.

1976 – In Toronto, Canada, the CN Tower opened to the public. The official opening date was listed as October 1, 1976. At 1,815 foot tall, it was the world’s tallest free-standing structure and the world’s tallest tower until 2010.

1977 – Elvis Presley’s final concert took place at Market Square Arena, in Indianapolis, IN.

1979 – Muhammad Ali, at 37 years old, announced that he was retiring as world heavyweight boxing champion.

1981 – In Mountain Home, ID, a woman named Virginia Campbell used her coupons and rebates to buy $26,460 worth of groceries for just 67 cents.

1985 – Wilbur Snapp was ejected after playing “Three Blind Mice” during a baseball game. The incident followed a call made by umpire Keith O’Connor.

1987 – The movie “Dragnet” opened in the U.S.

1987 – The movie “Full Metal Jacket” premiered in theaters.

1996 – The Supreme Court ordered the Virginia Military Institute to admit women or forgo state support.

1997 – The Supreme Court struck down the Communications Decency Act of 1996 that made it illegal to distribute indecent material on the Internet.

1997 – J.K. Rowlings book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”, was published in the U.K. The book was later released in the U.S. under the name “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” This was the first book in the Harry Potter series.

1997 – The Supreme Court upheld state laws that allow for a ban on doctor-assisted suicides.

1998 – The Supreme Court ruled that employers are always potentially liable for supervisor’s sexual misconduct toward an employee.

2000 – The Human Genome Project and Celera Genomics Corp. jointly announced that they had created a working draft of the human genome.

2002 – R. Kelly pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of child pornography in Chicago, IL.

2002 – A federal appeals court in San Francisco, CA ruled that the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance violate the separation of church and state.

2002 – David Hasseloff checked into The Betty Ford Center for treatment of alcoholism.

2013 – The Supreme Court struck down the federal law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

2015 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled, 5–4, that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

2021 – The largest-ever pile up at the Tour de France was caused by a spectator with a sign during Stage 1. The spectator was found and arrested.

2022 – It was announced that over the weekend earnings for the movie “Top Gun: Maverick” were over a billion dollars

BIRTHDAYS:

Dave Grusin – 91 years old (1934) – Composer, arranger, producer

Billy Davis Jr. – 87 years old (1938) – Musician (The 5th Dimension)

Georgie Fame – 82 years old (1943) – Rhythm and blues, jazz singer, keyboard player

Pamela Bellwood – 74 years old (1951) – Actress (TV’s “Dynasty”)

Mick Jones – 70 years old (1955) – Lead guitarist, vocalist (Clash, Big Audio Dynomite)

Chris Isaak – 69 years old (1956) – Singer (“Wicked Game”)

Patty Smyth – 68 years old (1957) – Singer

Greg LeMond – 64 years old (1961) – Road racing cyclist

Terri Nunn – 64 years old (1961) – Vocalist (Berlin)

Colin Greenwood – 56 years old (1969) – Bassist (Radiohead)

Sean Hayes – 56 years old (1969) – Actor (TV’s “Will & Grace”, “Sean Saves the World”, movies “The Three Stooges”, “The Bucket List”, “Win a Date With Tad Hamilton”, “Martin and Lewis”, “The Cat in the Hat”, “Cats and Dogs”)

Paul Thomas Anderson – 55 years old (1970) – Producer, director (“There Will Be Blood”, “Magnolia”, “Boogie Nights”, “Inherent Vice”)

Chris O’Donnell – 55 years old (1970) – Actor (“Max Payne”, “Kit Kittredge: American Girl”, “Batman Forever”, “Batman & Robin”, “Kinsey”, TV’s “NCIS: Los Angeles”, “Grey’s Anatomy”)

Derek Jeter – 51 years old (1974) – Retired New York Yankees shortstop and team captain

Chad Pennington – 49 years old (1976) – Football player, TV analyst (FOX)

Ryan Tedder – 46 years old (1979) – Singer (OneRepublic)

Jason Schwartzman – 45 years old (1980) – Actor (“Moonlight Kingdom”, “Funny People”, “The Darjeeling Limited”, “Rushmore”)

Kaitlin Cullum – 39 years old (1986) – Actress (TV’s “Grace Under Fire”)

Jennette McCurdy – 33 years old (1992) – Actress, singer (TV’s “iCarly”)

Ariana Grande – 32 years old (1993) – Singer, actress (“Victorious”)

TODAY IS:

National Canoe Day: Explore and enjoy nature while learning a valuable skill, relaxing, and spending some quality time in the great outdoors. Canoeing is good for the soul.
World Drug Day: Understanding the dangers and effects of substances is crucial for making informed choices and protecting your health.
World Refrigeration Day: Don’t take for granted the importance of refrigeration in modern life. Consider what life without it would be, and have some gratitude for the innovators who made it possible.
National Handshake Day: From business deals to sportsmanship, a good handshake conveys confidence, warmth and professionalism, making a lasting first impression!
National Beauticians Day: Get together with your friends or family and pamper yourselves, while supporting the beauticians whose training and hard work help us look our best.
National Chocolate Pudding Day: Make your own chocolate pudding, or simply indulge in the rich, creamy chocolate treat that has been a favorite of kids and adults alike for generations.
National Stitch Day: The mischievous extraterrestrial friend, embodying chaos with a heartwarming twist, and a unique blend of trouble and endearment.
National Bomb Pop Day: The refreshing, sweet, red, white and blue popsicle known as the Bomb Pop will bring you straight back to childhood days cooling down from the summer heat.
National Coconut Day: Did you know how versatile the coconut is? This incredible fruit hydrates, nourishes, and even helps build homes. Its water refreshes on a hot day, its meat enhances meals, and its oil finds a place in kitchens and beauty routines alike. Even the husk and leaves become useful, woven into...
National Barcode Day: National Barcode Day celebrates the simple black-and-white lines that transformed how we shop. Before barcodes, cashiers manually entered prices, leading to errors and delays. The introduction of barcodes streamlined this process, making shopping faster and more accurate. Beyond retail, barcodes play a crucial role in various sectors. In healthcare, they...
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is a time to stand with those who have suffered deeply. Behind every statistic is a person—someone who has endured pain no one should face. This day shines a light on their stories, ensuring they are not forgotten. It reminds the world...
Self Storage Week: It’s time to unlock the hidden potential of your space - and your imagination! Self Storage Week celebrates the surprising, empowering, and incredibly useful world of self storage - one box, one shelf, and one cleared-out garage at a time. Whether you’re decluttering your life, launching a side hustle, or...
DeafBlind Awareness Week: Promoting understanding and support for those with dual sensory loss fosters inclusion, empowerment, and community connection.
Insect Week: Insect Week is an exciting celebration dedicated to the fascinating world of insects. This week-long event features a variety of engaging activities and events designed to highlight the importance of insects in our lives. From art and photography competitions to educational workshops and bug hunts, there’s something for everyone to...
English Wine Week: English Wine Week is a vibrant celebration of the burgeoning English wine industry. It's an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to explore the diversity and quality of wines produced across the country. Vineyards open their doors, offering a range of activities like tours, tastings, and special events. This week is not...
National Lightning Safety Awareness Week: National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, celebrated in June, sparks crucial conversations about a powerful natural phenomenon. This week is vital because lightning strikes can be deadly, causing significant injuries and fatalities each year. Despite its potential dangers, lightning often doesn't receive the attention it deserves compared to other weather-related threats. How to...
Organic Beer Fest: The Organic Beer Fest is a celebration of brews made from ingredients grown without the use of synthetic chemicals. It brings together craft brewers, musicians, food vendors, and sustainability promoters in a relaxed, friendly park setting. Visitors wander between tents full of organic beer, cider, and mead, tasting styles from crisp...
Windjammer Days: Windjammer Days is a lively celebration where elegant tall ships sail into Boothbay Harbor’s calm waters. The day bursts with energy as colorful vessels glide in and gather off Cabbage Island. Crowds line the shore, cheering and snapping photos as sails unfurl and boats drift under bright skies. That harbor...