August 5

Scott Winters August 5, 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:

1620 – The Mayflower departed from Southampton, England on its first attempt to reach North America.

1833 – The village of Chicago, IL was incorporated. The population at the time was approximately 250.

1861 – In order to help pay for the war effort, the U.S. Federal government levied its first income tax. The tax was 3% of all incomes over $800. It was rescinded in 1872.

1882 – The Standard Oil Company of New Jersey was established.

1884 – The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor.

1914 – The first electric traffic lights were installed in Cleveland, OH.

1921 – The first play-by-play broadcast of a baseball game was done by Harold Arlin, on KDKA Radio, in Pittsburgh, PA. The game was between the Pirates and Philadelphia.

1923 – Henry Sullivan became the first American to swim across the English Channel.

1924 – In the New York “Daily News”, the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” by Harold Gray, debuted.

1926 – Harry Houdini spent 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.

1957 – TV’s “American Bandstand”, hosted by Dick Clark, made its network debut on ABC. Until this day the show had been a local show in Philadelphia, PA since 1952.

1958 – Herbert Hoover eclipsed John Adams as having the longest retirement of any former President until that time. Hoover would live another 6 years. His record 31 years, 7 months, and 16 days has since been eclipsed by Jimmy Carter.

1960 – For the first time two major league baseball clubs traded managers. Detroit traded Jimmy Dykes for Cleveland’s Joe Gordon.

1966 – In New York, NY, groundbreaking began for the construction of the original World Trade Center.

1969 – The Mariner 7 made its closest fly-by Mars. Photographs and other data were sent back to Earth.

1974 – President Richard Nixon said that he expected to be impeached. Nixon had ordered the investigation into the Watergate break-in to halt.

1974 – The comic strip “Tank McNamara” premiered in 75 newspapers.

1975 – Stevie Wonder signed a $37 million deal with Motown Records, the biggest at that time.

1980 – The Osmonds split up.

1981 – Olivia Newton-John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1981 – President Ronald Reagan fired 11,259 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order to return to work.

1983 – The movie “Risky Business”, starring Tom Cruise, was released in theaters.

1984 – Amtrak began rail service between Grand Rapids, MI and Chicago, IL with the Pere Marquette train route.

1998 – The TV show “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” debuted on TV.

2008 – IBM was granted a patent for storing a customers preference for ‘paper or plastic bags’ on stores’ customer loyalty cards.

2009 – Google purchased its first public company. The company was a video software maker named On2 Technologies.

2011 – NASA announced that its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter had captured photographic evidence of possible liquid water on Mars during warm seasons.

2011 – The first solar-powered spacecraft to go to Jupiter, Juno, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

2016 – The Summer Olympic Games opened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BIRTHDAYS:

Erika Slezak – 79 years old (1946) – Actress (Played Victoria Lord on TV’s “One Life to Live”)

Rick Derringer – 78 years old (1947) – Singer (“Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo”, McCoys)

Greg Leskiw – 78 years old (1947) – Guitarist (The Guess Who)

Samantha Sang – 74 years old (1951) – Singer (“Emotion”)

Maureen McCormick – 69 years old (1956) – Actress (Played Marcia on TV’s “The Brady Bunch”)

Pat Smear – 66 years old (1959) – Guitarist (Foo Fighters)

Patrick Ewing – 63 years old (1962) – Basketball Player

Jonathon Silverman – 59 years old (1966) – Actor (“Brighton Beach Memoirs”, “Weekend at Bernie’s”, TV’s “Gimme a Break!”, “The Single Guy”)

TODAY IS:

National Oyster Day: He was a brave man who first ate an oyster. Nevertheless, these slimy mollusks are a delicious delicacy, evoking the taste of the sea and open salt air.
Blogger Day: Create your own blog on one of the oldest blogging sites, Blogger. Document your day, review books, share recipes, and connect with other bloggers.
National Night Out: Help improve community-police partnerships in order to keep your communities safe for everyone, so anyone can be out at night without worry or fear.
National Underwear Day: Embrace your body by dressing it up in your favorite underwear. Parade around the house, or if you’re feeling confident, post a picture on social media.
National Dashcam Day: National Dashcam Day grabs attention by spotlighting a small device with a big impact: the dashboard camera. These cameras, mounted in vehicles, capture real-time footage of the road. Their videos can be eye-opening, sometimes showing breathtaking escapes or surprising roadside events. This day underscores the importance of dashcams in promoting safer...
National Couscous Day: National Couscous Day brings people together through the love of couscous, a versatile dish that pairs well with almost anything. This celebration highlights couscous's ability to blend into various culinary traditions around the world. It's a staple food that represents hospitality and family in many cultures, particularly in North Africa. Couscous...
National Work Like A Dog Day: Grit your teeth and spend one day working like a dog to reach your goals, renew your motivation, and boost your productivity in all areas of your life.
International Traffic Light Day: Managing urban intersections, guiding vehicles with synchronized signals, ensuring smooth flow, and enhancing road safety for commuters.
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...
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...
National Exercise With Your Child Week: Encouraging outdoor play, fostering healthy habits, and instilling a love for movement in children for lifelong well-being.
Simplify Your Life Week: Embracing minimalism, decluttering spaces, and focusing on what truly matters, finding peace in simplicity and mindful living.
International Clown Week: Exploring playful characters, spreading joy with colorful costumes, and delighting audiences with whimsical performances and antics.