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:
1611 – The King James Bible was published for the first time in London, England by printer Robert Barker.
1885 – The magazine “Good Housekeeping” was first published.
1887 – Hannibal W. Goodwin applied for a patent on celluloid photographic film. This is the film from which movies are shown.
1890 – The Oklahoma Territory was organized.
1918 – General Motors acquired the Chevrolet Motor Company of Delaware.
1932 – Jack Benny’s first radio show debuted on NBC Radio.
1939 – Not hitting well and feeling bad, Ironman Lou Gehrig took himself out of the Yankee line-up after playing 2,130 consecutive games. The Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 22-2 in that game. Gehrig never played baseball again.
1941 – The Federal Communications Commission agreed to let regular scheduling of TV broadcasts by commercial TV stations begin on July 1, 1941. This was the start of network television.
1941 – A new cereal called CheeriOats was introduced. The name was eventually changed to Cheerios four years later.
1946 – Prisoners revolted at California’s Alcatraz prison. Two guards and three inmates were killed.
1954 – Stan Musial, of the St. Louis Cardinals, set a new major league record when he hit 5 home runs against the New York Giants.
1964 – While speaking in Ann Arbor, MI at the University of Michigan Spring Commencement, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced plans for his “Great Society” plan.
1965 – The “Early Bird” satellite was used to transmit television pictures across the Atlantic.
1969 – The ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) made its maiden voyage from England to the United States.
1970 – Student anti-war protesters at Ohio’s Kent State University burn down the campus ROTC building. The National Guard took control of the campus.
1974 – Former U.S. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew was disbarred by the Maryland Court of Appeals.
1974 – The filming of “Jaws” began in Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
1978 – The first unsolicited bulk commercial email was sent to every ARPANET address on the west coast of the United States. This first “spam” invited users to a product demonstration by Digital Equipment Corporation.
1982 – The Weather Channel debuted. It was founded by veteran television meteorologist John Coleman (who served as a chief meteorologist at WLS-TV in Chicago and as a forecaster for “Good Morning America”) and Frank Batten, then-president of the channel’s original owner Landmark Communications. The channel launched at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 2, 1982.
1986 – The City of Chernobyl was evacuated six days after the disaster.
1997 – The American spy action comedy film “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”, starring Mike Myers, was released.
1999 – The Mercury space capsule, which carried Gus Grissom on America’s second manned space flight, was discovered off the Florida shore 38 years after it was lost.
2000 – President Bill Clinton announced that accurate GPS access would no longer be restricted to just the United States military.
2004 – Television’s “Doctor Phil” McGraw was slapped with a class action lawsuit that charged he knowingly deceived consumers with false claims about his line of weight-loss products.
2005 – Production of the Pontiac Grand Am ended.
2007 – Iowa spent $6,000 to change the locks at one of its state prisons after someone paid $12 on e-Bay for a set of keys belonging to a guard who retired in the 1970s.
2008 – The movie “Ironman” (based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name), starring Robert Downey Jr., debuted in theaters.
2008 – Sean “Diddy” Combs became the first male rapper to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2012 – A pastel version of “The Scream” by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, sold for $120 million in a New York, NY auction, setting a new world record for a work of art at auction.
2015 – A 4.2 earthquake centered near Galesburg, MI (between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo) hit west Michigan. It was the state’s most powerful quake since 1947.
2019 – A drone delivered a kidney for transplant surgery in Baltimore, MD.
BIRTHDAYS:
Engelbert Humperdinck – 89 a old (1936) – Singer (“After the Lovin'”)
R.C. Bannon – 80 a old (1945) – Country singer
Bianca Jagger – 80 a old (1945) – Model, human rights activist, was married to Mick Jagger
Larry Gatlin – 77 a old (1948) – Singer (Gatlin Brothers)
Lou Gramm – 75 a old (1950) – Singer (Foreigner)
Christine Baranski – 73 a old (1952) – Actress (TV’s “The Good Wife”, “Cybill”, “Welcome to New York”, movies “Mamma Mia!”, “Bowfinger”)
Elizabeth Berridge – 63 a old (1962) – Actress (TV’s “The John Larroquette Show”)
Ty Herndon – 63 a old (1962) – Country singer
Todd Sucherman – 56 a old (1969) – Drummer (Styx)
Dwayne Johnson – 53 a old (1972) – Wrestler, actor, known as “The Rock” (“Fast and Furious” movies, “Pain & Gain”, “Tooth Fairy”, “Race to Witch Mountain”, “The Scorpion King”, “G.I. Joe”, “Walking Tall”, TV’s “Ballers”)
David Beckham – 50 a old (1975) – Soccer player
Jenna von Oÿ – 48 a old (1977) – Actress (TV’s “Blossom”, “The Parkers”)
Gaius Charles – 42 a old (1983) – Actor (TV’s “Friday Night Lights”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Aquarius”)
Sarah Hughes – 40 a old (1985) – Olympic figure skater
Thomas McDonell – 39 a old (1986) – Actor (TV’s “The 100”)
Kay Panabaker – 35 a old (1990) – Actress (TV’s “Fame”, “Phil of the Future”, “Summerland”)
TODAY IS:
- Kentucky Derby: The Kentucky Derby holds a title that it truly deserves: "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports." But, despite what you might think, the 1.5-mile race isn’t limited to the horse racing crowd. Rather, this race is an emblem of tradition. It holds a special place in American sporting culture...
- Free Comic Book Day: Dive into a new world, or revisit an old favorite by supporting your local comic book store and the people who create such magnificent worlds and characters.
- International Harry Potter Day: Put on your robes, grab your wand, and celebrate with potions, spell-casting and Hogwarts-inspired fun.
- National Homebrew Day: A delightful way to create unique and delicious craft beers. From sweet and fruity to hoppy and bold, the possibilities are endless.
- Beer Pong Day: Gather your friends, set up the table and get ready for an epic game of beer pong. Perfect your aim, master your bounce shots and don't forget to stock up on cups, balls and beer, it's gonna be a wild ride!
- National Brothers and Sisters Day: Take a moment to appreciate the bond you have with your siblings. Whether you're close or have your ups and downs, they're a part of your family and life's journey.
- National Fitness Day: Get ready to lace up your sneakers! National Fitness Day falls on the first Saturday of May, so it is a time to get active. This day sparks excitement for everyone, from avid gym-goers to those just starting their fitness journeys. It's all about celebrating the joy and benefits of...
- Baby Day: Visit your friends with children, read about parenting if you’re considering having your own little ones, or even volunteer at a daycare or other baby-centric event.
- National Truffle Day: Decadent cocoa delights with a luscious, soft center evoke pure bliss, an exquisite treat for connoisseurs.
- World Tuna Day: Sleek, powerful ocean dwellers, tuna command a watery realm, embodying the epitome of aquatic prowess and grace.
- Print Day in May: Crafting art through unique print techniques, artists carve stories onto paper, a canvas of creativity and expression.
- World Naked Gardening Day: Truly get back to nature by getting your hands dirty and spending time in your garden, entirely in the nude. Don’t forget the sunscreen, or your skin may suffer.
- National Life Insurance Day: Ensuring a family's financial security with reliable life insurance coverage, offering peace of mind during uncertain times.
- Join Hands Day: Help organize or join an event to benefit your community on Join Hands Day, a day dedicated to coming together with others to make things better.
- World Labyrinth Day: Explore the intricate beauty of labyrinths, revealing pathways that invite contemplation, offering a unique journey within oneself.
- Wildfire Community Preparedness Day: Wildfires can devastate communities, cities, and entire regions, so donate to relief efforts, and learn how to prevent and respond to wildfires.
- Bereaved Mother’s Day: Bereaved Mother’s Day gently holds space for mothers who carry loss in their hearts. It honors women whose children have died—whether in the womb, in infancy, childhood, or later. These mothers are often left out of the larger story, their grief tucked away in silence. On this day, that silence softens...
- Start Seeing Monarchs Day: Monarch butterflies are fascinating, majestic creatures filled with grace and beauty given by nature. These black and orange migratory creatures can be found in prairies and grasslands, lighting upon various flowers to sip their nectar. National Start Seeing Monarchs Day brings attention to the threat these butterflies have to their habitat...
- Take a Baby to Lunch Day: Take a Baby to Lunch Day invites adults to share a meal with a baby, turning an ordinary lunch into a delightful experience. Picture a tiny hand reaching for a spoon, eyes wide with wonder at the world around them. This day encourages people to slow down, savour the moment...
- Herb Day: Herb Day celebrates the small but mighty plants that grow in gardens, pots, and windowsills around the world. These green gems bring flavor to food, comfort to the body, and calm to the mind! How to Celebrate Herb Day Herb Day offers the perfect chance to reconnect with nature, explore fresh...
- International Female Ride Day: Women across the world get on two or three wheels and take off. That’s what International Female Ride Day looks like. Riders fill highways, back roads, and winding hills. Some wear bright colors. Others stick to black leather. It’s not a race. It’s a statement. Every twist of the throttle says...
- National EOD Day: Not many people think about the experts who deal with hidden explosives. These experts are called Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, technicians. They step forward when others step back. Their job is to find and safely remove deadly devices. It could be anything from roadside bombs to old military shells...
- International Pilates Day: Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on controlled movements to strengthen the core, improve posture, and enhance flexibility. It emphasizes mindful movement and breathing, making it accessible to people of all fitness levels. Practicing Pilates can lead to better balance, increased muscle tone, and a sense of well-being. It's...
- Childhood Stroke Awareness Day : Most people don’t expect a child to have a stroke, but it can happen, even in babies. Childhood Stroke Awareness Day raises attention to this often-overlooked health issue. A stroke in kids looks different from one in adults, which makes it harder to spot. Quick action matters. Every second counts...
- World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day: Ankylosing spondylitis—also known as AS—is a long-term condition that mainly targets the spine, causing pain and stiffness. It can also affect the hips, shoulders, and even the eyes. This condition doesn’t just bring physical discomfort—it can slowly change how someone walks, sleeps, and lives. While the symptoms may come and go...
- National Bombshells’ Day: Confidence looks different on everyone, and National Bombshells' Day leans into that truth. This upbeat day invites women to feel good about themselves, inside and out. It’s about honoring beauty in all forms—loud or quiet, bold or calm. There's no mold to fit, no standard to chase. Whether someone rocks...
- Scurvy Awareness Day: Not many people think about scurvy today, but it’s still out there. This disease shows up when the body doesn’t get enough vitamin C. Back in the age of long sea journeys, it struck crews who went too long without fresh food. Now, International Scurvy Awareness Day brings attention to...
- National Scrapbook Day: Capturing moments through pictures, creative designs, and memorabilia — a great way to cherish and share memories with loved ones.
- Vallenato Legend Festival: The Vallenato Legend Festival pulses with the rhythm of Colombia's heart, drawing people together in a vibrant celebration of its rich culture. The air fills with the sounds of accordions, drums, and lively voices, creating an atmosphere that feels both electric and deeply rooted. As performers take the stage, they...
- Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
- National Physical Education and Sport Week: National Physical Education and Sport Week kicks off a lively month dedicated to fitness and sports. It's a period that highlights the crucial roles health and physical education play in developing lifelong healthy habits! How to Celebrate National Physical Education and Sport Week Celebrating National Physical Education and Sport Week is...
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