August 6

Scott Winters August 6, 2025 3 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:

1787 – At the Constitutional Convention, in Philadelphia, PA, debate began on the first draft of the U.S. Constitution.

1890 – At Auburn Prison in New York, NY, murderer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed by electric chair.

1926 – At the age of 19, Gertrude Ederle became the first American woman to swim the English Channel. The swim took 14-1/2 hours. She was sometimes referred to a the “Queen of the Waves”.

1926 – Warner Brothers premiered its Vitaphone system in New York, NY with the movie was “Don Juan,” starring John Barrymore.

1945 – The American B-29 bomber, known as the Enola Gay, dropped the first atomic bomb on an inhabited area. The bomb was dropped over the center of Hiroshima, Japan. The bomb killed an estimated 140,000 people.

1952 – “Mad” magazine was published for the first time.

1952 – Satchel Paige, at age 46, became the oldest pitcher to complete a major league baseball game.

1965 – The Voting Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

1981 – Firefighters in Indianapolis, IN, answered a false alarm. When they returned to their station, it was ablaze due to a grease fire.

1986 – William J. Schroeder died. He lived 620 days with the Jarvik-7 man-made heart. He was the world’s longest surviving recipient of a permanent artificial heart.

1986 – Timothy Dalton became the fourth actor to be named “James Bond.”

1991 – Tim Berners-Lee released files describing his idea for the World Wide Web. WWW debuted as a publicly available service on the internet.

1993 – The U.S. Senate confirmed Louis Freeh to be the director of the FBI.

1993 – The movie “The Fugitive”, starring Tommy Lee Jones, opened in theaters.

1996 – NASA announced that the ALH 84001 meteorite, thought to originate from Mars, contained evidence of primitive life-forms.

1997 – Apple Computer and Microsoft agreed to share technology in a deal giving Microsoft a stake in Apple’s survival.

1998 – Monica Lewinsky testified before a grand jury about her affair with President Bill Clinton. She spent 8½ hours testifying.

1999 – The movie “The Sixth Sense”, starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment, premiered in theaters.

2003 – Republican movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” that he planned to run for governor in California’s recall election.

2007 – The Crandall Canyon Mine in Huntington, Utah collapsed, trapping six miners. The mine’s operator says that the collapse was due to an earthquake. Despite frantic efforts, the miners were never rescued. In late November, the mine was permanently closed, entombing the miners’ remains.

2009 – Bronx, NY native Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in to become the third woman — and first Latina — to sit on the United States Supreme Court.

2012 – NASA’s Curiosity rover landed on the surface of Mars.

BIRTHDAYS:

Peter Bonerz – 87 years old (1938) – Actor, director (Played Dr. Jerry Robinson on TV’s “The Bob Newhart Show”, “9 to 5”)

Ray Buktenica – 82 years old (1943) – Actor (TV’s “Rhoda”, “Life Goes On”)

Dorian Harewood – 75 years old (1950) – Actor (Played Simon Haley in the ABC miniseries “Roots: The Next Generations”, movies “Full Metal Jacket”, “The Jesse Owens Story”, and TV’s “Strike Force”)

Catherine Hicks – 74 years old (1951) – Actress (Played Annie Camden on TV’s “7th Heaven”)

Stephanie Kramer – 69 years old (1956) – Actress (Played detective Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on TV’s “Hunter”)

Randy DeBarge – 67 years old (1958) – Singer, bass guitarist (DeBarge). Born in Detroit, MI.

Jeremy Ratchford – 60 years old (1965) – Actor (TV’s “Cold Case”)

M. Night Shyamalan – 55 years old (1970) – Writer, producer, director, actor (“The Last Airbender”, “The Village”, “Signs”, “The Sixth Sense”)

Merrin Dungey – 54 years old (1971) – Actress (TV’s “Summerland”, “Alias”, “The King of Queens”)

Geri Halliwell – 53 years old (1972) – Singer (Ginger Spice in the Spice Girls)

Vera Farmiga – 52 years old (1973) – Actress (“Up in the Air”, “The Conjuring”, “Source Code”, “Safe House”, “The Manchurian Candidate”)

Soleil Moon Frye – 49 years old (1976) – Actress (TV’s “Punky Brewster”, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “The Proud Family”)

Melissa George – 49 years old (1976) – Actress (“The Amityville Horror”, “30 Days of Night”, TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”)

TODAY IS:

National Wiggle Your Toes Day: Trade your cramping, stuffy trainers and dress shoes for sandals, or walk barefoot in the sand or grass to give your toes some well-deserved wiggle room.
International Scuba Day: Exploring the hidden depths, where silence reigns and vibrant marine life dances, offers an unparalleled adventure.
National Fresh Breath Day: Many people suffer from halitosis, or bad breath, without even realizing it. Check your breath, practice good oral hygiene, and pop a sugar-free breath mint.
National Root Beer Float Day: The simplest combination, the sweetest flavor: simply pour a tall glass or mug of root beer, add a scoop or two of ice cream, and enjoy this classic treat.
Professional Engineers Day: Experts mastering the craft, solving complex challenges, and shaping the future through innovative solutions in engineering excellence.
Balloons to Heaven Day: Gather together with other members of the community to remember and mourn the lives lost to senseless gun violence.
Farmworker Appreciation Day: Donate food, water, time and resources to the hard-working laborers who put veggies, fruit, grains, and other produce on our tables and in our stores.
Jamaica Independence Day: Jamaica Independence Day celebrates the country’s freedom—a moment when it stepped into its own future, free from outside rule. It’s a time when communities pour into streets filled with color and sound. Bands march proudly, military and community groups performing in unison. Flags fly high and music echoes in the...
National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day: National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day spotlights the vital role that psychiatric technicians play in mental health care. These professionals dedicate themselves to supporting individuals with mental health challenges, offering them care, empathy, and understanding. Their hard work often goes unnoticed, making this day a crucial moment to celebrate their significant...
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.