August 3

Scott Winters August 3, 2025 0 Comments

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:

1492 – Christopher Columbus left Palos, Spain with three ships: the Pinta, the Nina and the Santa Maria. The voyage led him to what is now known as the Americas. He reached the Bahamas on October 12.

1678 – Robert LaSalle built the Le Griffon, the first known ship built on the Great Lakes.

1900 – The Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. was founded.

1921 – Army pilot John Macready took off from McCook Field in Dayton, OH for the very first crop dusting.

1922 – WGY radio in Schenectady, NY, presented the first full-length drama on the radio. It was “The Wolf”, written by Eugene Walter.

1923 – Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th President of the U.S. after the sudden death of President Warren G. Harding.

1933 – The Mickey Mouse Watch was introduced. The cost: $2.75.

1936 – Jesse Owens won the first of his four Olympic gold medals.

1946 – Santa Claus Land opened in Santa Claus, IN. It was the world’s first themed amusement park.

1949 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed. The league was formed by the merger between the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League.

1956 – Bedloe’s Island became known as Liberty Island.

1958 – The nuclear submarine USS Nautilus became the first vessel to cross the North Pole underwater. The mission was known as “Operation Sunshine.”

1977 – Tandy Corporation announced the TRS-80. It was one of the world’s first mass-produced home computers. Read more about it here.

1979 – The movie “More American Graffiti” was released.

1981 – U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike. They were fired by President Ronald Reagan, just as he had warned them they would be.

1984 – Mary Lou Retton won a gold medal at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

1985 – Mail service returned to a nudist colony in Paradise Lake, FL. Residents promised that they’d wear clothes, or stay out of sight, when the mail carrier came to deliver their mail.

1993 – The Senate voted 96-3 to confirm Supreme Court nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

1996 – The #1 song was “Macarena“, a Spanish dance song by Los del Río.

1999 – Patsy Cline received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999 – Arbitrators ruled that the U.S. government must pay the heirs of Abraham Zapruder $16 million for his footage of the Kennedy assassination in Dallas, TX.

2004 – In New York City, The Statue of Liberty opened to the public for the first time since the September 11th attacks. Because of security concerns, tourists are not allowed to climb to the crown.

2004 – NASA launched the spacecraft Messenger. The 6-1/2 year journey was to begin orbiting the planet Mercury in March 2011. However, on April 30, 2015, Messenger crashed into the surface of Mercury. Before it crashed it had been able to send back more than 270,000 pictures.

BIRTHDAYS:

Steven Berkoff – 88 years old (1937) – Actor (Lt. Col Podovsky in “Rambo: First Blood Part II”, played General Orlov in the James Bond film “Octopussy”, played Victor Maitland in “Beverly Hills Cop”, and Adolf Hitler in the TV mini-series “War and Remembrance”)

Martin Sheen – 85 years old (1940) – Actor (“Badlands”, “Apocalypse Now”, “Catch Me If You Can”, TV’s “West Wing)

Beverly Lee – 84 years old (1941) – Singer (The Shirelles)

Martha Stewart – 84 years old (1941) – Television Personality (TV’s “Martha Stewart Living”)

John Landis – 75 years old (1950) – Director (“Animal House”, “The Blues Brothers”, “Three Amigos!”, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video)

Jo Marie Payton – 75 years old (1950) – Actress (Played Harriette Winslow on TV’s “Family Matters”, “Will & Grace”)

John C. McGinley – 66 years old (1959) – Actor (TV’s “Ground Floor”, “Scrubs”, movies “Office Space”, “Platoon”, “Wall Street”)

James Hetfield – 62 years old (1963) – Lead singer, guitarist (Metallica)

Ed Roland – 62 years old (1963) – Lead singer (Collective Soul)

Isaiah Washington – 62 years old (1963) – Actor (TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”, movies “Exit Wounds”, “Romeo Must Die”, “Clockers”)

Evangeline Lilly – 46 years old (1979) – Actress (TV’s “Lost”, movies “Ant-man”, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies/The Desolation of Smaug”)

TODAY IS:

National Friendship Day: Friendship is a treasure trove of laughter, memories, and support. It's the sunshine on a cloudy day, and the bond that lasts a lifetime.
National Watermelon Day: Hydrating, sweet, and cold, watermelons taste like backyard barbecues and hot summer days. Dig into a slice, make a smoothie, or put together a fruit salad.
National Sisters Day: There's nothing like having someone who knows you inside out and has been by your side through thick and thin - sisters are the best!
Friendship Day in India: Friendship Day in India is a celebration of the bonds that bring joy and support to our lives. This day is dedicated to honoring the friends who stand by us through thick and thin. People express their affection by exchanging friendship bands, gifts, and heartfelt messages. It’s a time to...
Psychic Day: See if you have any dormant psychic or clairvoyant abilities by guessing coin flips, card colors, or even who’s calling when the phone rings.
National Grab Some Nuts Day: Munching on those crunchy, bite-sized goodies is like a tasty power-up, giving a burst of energy and satisfying hunger pangs!
Clean Your Floors Day: Stop procrastinating and clean your floors. Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, and vacuuming are all things we should probably be doing a lot more of.
National Hair Gloss Day: National Hair Gloss Day is all about celebrating shiny, healthy hair. It’s a day to appreciate the little boost that a good gloss treatment can give, whether it’s done at home or in a salon. These treatments don’t just make hair shinier—they also enhance color, smooth frizz, and add softness...
American Family Day: The ones who support us through thick and thin, make us laugh and wipe our tears, and never give up on us: our tribe, our home, our heart.
Cloves Syndrome Awareness Day: Help raise awareness and support aid and research for those afflicted with Cloves Syndrome, a disorder that causes overgrowth and often vascular issues.
Big Forehead Day: Big Forehead Day shines a light on an often-overlooked body feature: the forehead. This day is a vibrant celebration of those sporting more substantial foreheads, promoting self-acceptance and love for what makes each of us unique. It’s a day to wear your forehead proudly, boosting self-esteem by focusing on the...
Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
World Breastfeeding Week: Nurturing a bond like no other, this natural act of love fosters the health and well-being of both mother and child.
National Eisteddfod of Wales: The National Eisteddfod of Wales is a vibrant celebration of Welsh culture, bringing together the best of the nation's music, literature, and performance arts. Each year, the festival moves to a different location within Wales, alternating between the north and south. This week-long event attracts thousands of visitors who immerse...
Stop on Red Week: Crossing at a red light has caused countless fatalities, many of them completely avoidable. These aren’t rare, freak accidents—they happen in everyday traffic, on ordinary roads, during normal routines. Someone rushes to beat the light, doesn’t see the pedestrian, or assumes they’ll make it in time. In a split second...
Farmers Market Week: Farmers Market Week is a vibrant celebration of local markets across the country. It's a time when communities come together to appreciate the fresh, locally grown produce and unique handmade goods that these markets offer. The energy at these markets during this special week is contagious as people of all...
National Twins Day: National Twins Day is a vibrant celebration that recognizes and honors the unique connection between twins. This day is not just about the remarkable similarities twins share but also about embracing their individuality. Across the globe, twins, their families, and friends come together to share experiences and celebrate the extraordinary...
Tisha B’Av: Tisha B'Av is a deeply meaningful day for many people. It marks a time of reflection and mourning, where communities come together to remember significant losses. The day offers a moment to pause and consider the impact of historical events on the present. Many find comfort in gathering to share...
International Assistance Dog Week: International Assistance Dog Week is a special time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the hardworking dogs that change lives. These dogs provide essential support to individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate daily challenges. Their incredible skills, combined with their loyal companionship, make them invaluable to those who rely on them...
Love Parks Week : Enjoy fresh air, beautiful scenery, and leisure activities that rejuvenate the mind and body in nature's embrace.
National Exercise With Your Child Week: Encouraging outdoor play, fostering healthy habits, and instilling a love for movement in children for lifelong well-being.
International Clown Week: Exploring playful characters, spreading joy with colorful costumes, and delighting audiences with whimsical performances and antics.