July 20

Scott Winters July 20, 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:

1868 – U.S. legislation ordered tax stamps to be placed on all cigarette packs.

1881 – Sioux Indian leader Sitting Bull surrendered to federal troops in Montana.

1903 – The Ford Motor Company shipped its first car.

1940 – “Billboard” magazine published its very first listing of best-selling singles. The original list had only ten songs.

1968 – The first international Special Olympics Summer Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, with about 1,000 athletes.

1969 – Apollo 11’s crew successfully made the first landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. “One small step for man…” Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon.

1976 – Hank Aaron hit the final home run of his career…#755.

1976 – America’s Viking I robot spacecraft made a successful landing on the planet Mars.

1977 – The Central Intelligence Agency released documents under the Freedom of Information Act that revealed it had engage in mind control experiments.

1997 – The fully restored U.S.S. Constitution (also known as Old Ironsides) celebrated its 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years.

1977 – Gov. William Milliken signed a law making it mandatory for wild game or bird hunters in Michigan to wear fluorescent orange vests, jackets, or caps.

2012 – James Holmes opened fire at a movie theater in Aurora, CO killing 12 and injury 70 others.

2015 – The United States and Cuba resume full diplomatic relations after five decades.

2017 – Magician Criss Angel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2017 – O.J. Simpson was granted parole, after spending nine years of a 33 year sentence in a Nevada jail, for armed robbery charges in Las Vegas, NV.

2021 – American businessman Jeff Bezos flew into space aboard the New Shepard NS-16, operated by his Private spaceflight company Blue Origin.

BIRTHDAYS:

Mickey Stanley – 83 years old (1942) – Baseball player (Detroit Tigers 1964-1978) Born in Grand Rapids, MI.

Kim Carnes – 80 years old (1945) – Singer

John Lodge – 80 years old (1945) – Bass guitarist, vocalist (The Moody Blues)

Carlos Santana – 78 years old (1947) – Musician (Santana)

Donna Dixon – 68 years old (1957) – Actress (“Wayne’s World”, “Dr. Detroit”, “Spies Like Us”, TV’s “Bosom Buddies”)

Mick MacNeil – 67 years old (1958) – Keyboardist (Simple Minds)

Frank Whaley – 62 years old (1963) – Actor (“World Trade Center”, “Field of Dreams”, “The Doors”)

Stone Gossard – 59 years old (1966) – Musician (Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog)

Josh Holloway – 56 years old (1969) – Actor (TV’s “Lost”)

Sandra Oh – 54 years old (1971) – Actress (TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Arli$$”, “Sideways”)

Omar Epps – 52 years old (1973) – Actor (TV’s “House”, “ER”, movies “The Wood”, “In Too Deep”, “Higher Learning”, “Poetic Justice”)

Elliott Yamin – 47 years old (1978) – Singer (Finished 3rd on TV’s “American Idol” in season 5)

John Francis Daley – 40 years old (1985) – Actor (TV’s “Bones”, “Freaks and Geeks”)

Julianne Hough – 37 years old (1988) – Country singer (TV’s “Dancing With the Stars”)

TODAY IS:

National Moon Day: The celestial body that brightens up our nightscape with its enigmatic glow and phases, inspiring poets, artists, and scientists alike.
National Ice Cream Day: Scoops of frozen delight that can cool you down on the hottest of days, and come in endless flavors and toppings.
Friends Day: In Argentina, Friends Day is a special celebration that highlights the joy and importance of friendships. On this day, people across the country come together to honor the bonds they share with their friends. How to Celebrate Friends Day Plan a Surprise Gathering Why not throw a surprise get-together? Secretly round...
International Chess Day: Join a chess club, challenge a friend or family member to a game, sign up for a tournament or start learning on your own against a computer or online player.
Space Exploration Day: Organize a star gazing party, set off bottle rockets, watch a classic science fiction movie or just look up at the night sky on Space Exploration Day.
National Lollipop Day: Channel your inner child by popping a lollipop in your mouth on National Lollipop Day. From Tootsie-Pops to Whirly Pops to Chupa Chups and more.
National Fortune Cookie Day: Go out to a Chinese restaurant or order take-out and pay extra attention to the fortune in your fortune cookie. Give some thought to it—maybe you’ll learn something.
World Jump Day: It won’t actually change the Earth’s orbit, but that was the idea behind getting 60 million people in the Western hemisphere to all jump at the same time.
National Ugly Truck Day: Discover charm in unconventional vehicles, where rugged allure meets the road, each blemish narrating unique tales of journeys endured.
International Boombox Day: International Boombox Day celebrates the bold energy of portable music culture. Boomboxes, once symbols of self-expression, turned sidewalks into dance floors. People carried them on their shoulders, blasting beats that echoed through city blocks. These machines weren’t just speakers—they brought people together. Music spilled out of them, filling parks, corners, and...
Lake Superior Day: Lake Superior Day is a lively celebration that honors the vast, fresh waters of the largest lake in North America. People gather by the shore to enjoy free activities like stand‑up paddleboarding, boat rides, and games. There’s live music, food stalls, and educational booths that spark curiosity. Families stroll along...
National Wiffle Ball Day: National Wiffle Ball Day celebrates a plastic bat-and-ball game loved by families and friends everywhere. Players swing lightweight bats and pitch gentle curveballs tossed with a special perforated ball. Kids laugh, adults compete, and homes fill with echoes of play. It brings simple fun into yards and parks with a...
National Pennsylvania Day: Rolling hills, lively cities, and deep-rooted history make Pennsylvania a place worth celebrating. National Pennsylvania Day shines a light on everything that makes this state special. From the Liberty Bell to Amish farmlands, every corner holds a story. This day recognizes the people, places, and achievements that have shaped both...
Colombia’s Independence Day: Exploring the vibrant spirit of a nation's autonomy, uncovering the resilience and cultural richness embedded in Colombia's history.
National Zoo Keeper Week: Dedicated professionals caring for exotic animals, ensuring their well-being, educating the public, and contributing to conservation efforts.
Galway International Arts Festival: The Galway International Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity that takes over the city of Galway each year. This event brings together artists, performers, and visitors from around the globe for two weeks of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and more. The festival transforms Galway into a hub of...
National Moth Week: Sign up for an event or citizen project during Moth Week to get involved, take and post photos, and get a good look at the interesting varieties of moths out there.
National Parenting Gifted Children Week: The unique joys and challenges of nurturing exceptional talents, fostering creativity, and supporting their emotional growth.