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:
1844 – Charles Goodyear was granted a patent for vulcanized rubber.
1896 – Booker T. Washington became the first African American to receive an honorary MA degree from Howard University.
1905 – Nick Fink Jr. of Comstock Park, MI escaped serious injury when he made the first area airplane flight. His home-built pedal plane crashed into a telephone pole.
1916 – Mary Pickford became the first female film star to sign a million dollar contract.
1922 – The American Professional Football Association took the name of The National Football League.
1933 – A reconstructed Fort Michilimackinac opened to the public in Mackinaw City, MI.
1940 – TV cameras were used for the first time in a political convention as the Republican party convened in Philadelphia, PA.
1947 – Kenneth Arnold reported seeing flying saucers over Mt. Rainier, WA.
1949 – The first television western, “Hopalong Cassidy”, was aired on NBC, starring William Boyd.
1953 – John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier announced their engagement.
1957 – In Roth vs. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment.
1962 – The New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers, 9-7, after 22 innings.
1964 – The Federal Trade Commission announced that starting in 1965, cigarette manufactures would be required to include warnings about the harmful effects of smoking on their packaging.
1971 – The National Basketball Association modified its four-year eligibility rule to allow for collegiate hardship cases.
1982 – The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that no President could be sued for damages connected with actions taken while serving as President of the United States.
1986 – The Empire State Building was designated a National Historic Landmark.
1987 – The Mel Brooks spoof film “Spaceballs” premiered in theaters.
1997 – The U.S. Air Force released a report titled “The Roswell Report, Case Closed” that dismissed the claims that an alien spacecraft had crashed in Roswell, NM, in 1947. The report suggested that the alien bodies witnesses in reported seeing were actually life-sized dummies.
1998 – AT&T Corp. struck a deal to buy cable TV giant Tele-Communications Inc. for $31.7 billion.
1998 – Walt Disney World Resort admitted its 600-millionth guest.
2001 – It was announced that Kelsey Grammer would earn an all-time TV record salary of $1.6 million per episode for “Frasier”.
2002 – The Supreme Court ruled that juries, not judges, must make the decision to give a convicted killer the death penalty.
2005 – The movie “March of the Penquins” premiered in theaters.
2007 – Paris Hilton was sprung from jail after serving 23 days of her original 45-day sentence for probation violation.
2010 – Apple released the iPhone 4.
2021 – In Surfside, Florida, the Champlain Towers South condominium partially collapsed, killing 98 people inside.
2022 – The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, holding that there was no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. Abortion rights would be determined by the states.
BIRTHDAYS:
Michele Lee – 83 a old (1942) – Actress (TV’s “Knots Landing”, movies “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, “The Love Bug”)
Georg Stanford Brown – 82 a old (1943) – Actor (“Bullitt”, “Stir Crazy”, TV’s “The Rookies”, “Nip/Tuck”)
Colin Blunstone – 80 a old (1945) – Musician (The Zombies)
George Pataki – 80 a old (1945) – Former New York Governor (1996-2006)
Mick Fleetwood – 78 a old (1947) – Drummer (Fleetwood Mac)
Peter Weller – 78 a old (1947) – Actor (“RoboCop”, “Naked Lunch”, “Screamers”)
John Illsley – 76 a old (1949) – Bass guitarist (Dire Straits)
Nancy Allen – 75 a old (1950) – Actress (“Dressed to Kill”, “Blow Out”, “Robo Cop”)
Astro – 68 a old (1957) – Rapper, musician (UB40)
Andrew McCluskey – 66 a old (1959) – Singer, bass guitarist (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)
Curt Smith – 64 a old (1961) – Bass guitarist, lead vocalist (Tears For Fears)
Danielle Spencer – 60 a old (1965) – Actress (Played Dee on TV’s “What’s Happening!!”)
Jeff Cease – 58 a old (1967) – Guitarist (The Black Crowes)
Sherry Stringfield – 58 a old (1967) – Actress (TV’s “ER”)
Glenn Medeiros – 55 a old (1970) – Singer (“Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You”, “She Ain’t Worth It”)
Mindy Kaling – 46 a old (1979) – Actress (TV’s “The Mindy Project”, “The Office”)
Minka Kelly – 45 a old (1980) – Actress (TV’s “Friday Night Lights”, “Parenthood”)
Solange Knowles – 39 a old (1986) – Singer, actress (“Johnson Family Vacation”)
Candice Patton – 37 a old (1988) – Actress (TV’s “The Flash”)
TODAY IS:
- National Upcycling Day: Dig out those unused clothes, accessories, even furniture and “upcycle” them into something new with a bit of creativity and tender loving care.
- Festa Junina:
- National Bakewell Tart Day: Savor the exquisite blend of almond-infused goodness in a dessert that epitomizes the perfect harmony of flavors.
- International Fairy Day: Join a festival or celebration that honors the mythical fairie, or settle in to read or watch a fairie tale featuring these remarkable, captivating creatures.
- Feast of San Giovanni:
- National Pralines Day: Indulge yourself in the rich, creamy, chocolatey treat known as pralines. Gather a few and host a taste-test, or try your hand and making them yourself.
- Patagonian New Year:
- Swim a Lap Day: Swimming is great for your physical health, giving you cardio and strength training in one. Take a Lap around the pool to boost your both your health and mood.
- Reserves Day:
- Celebration of the Senses Day:
- International Day of Women in Diplomacy:
- Cat World Domination Day:
- National Relationship Equity Day:
- National Patch Day:
- National Parchment Day:
- Midsummer Day: It's the time of year when the sun shines brighter and the nights grow shorter. Celebrate the season with bonfires, flowers, and fun!
- St. Jean Baptiste Day:
- St. John’s Day:
- National Play Catch Week: Connecting through a simple toss, a timeless game fosters bonds, laughter, and shared moments of pure joy.
- DeafBlind Awareness Week: Promoting understanding and support for those with dual sensory loss fosters inclusion, empowerment, and community connection.
- National Craft Spirits Week:
- Insect Week:
- International Phace Syndrome Awareness Week:
- English Wine Week:
- National Lightning Safety Awareness Week:
- Old Time Fiddlers Week:
- National Roller Coaster Week:
- Windjammer Days:
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For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.

