August 16

Scott Winters August 16, 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:

1812 – American General William Hull surrendered Michigan and Fort Detroit to the British Army without a fight during the War of 1812.

1842 – In New York City, NY, the U.S. government took over operations of the City Despatch Post. It became the first congressionally authorized local postal delivery.

1858 – A telegraphed message from Britain’s Queen Victoria to U.S. President James Buchanan was transmitted over a recently laid trans-Atlantic cable. A weak signal forced a shutdown of the service in a few weeks.

1861 – President Abraham Lincoln prohibited the Union states from trading with the Confederate states.

1923 – The eight hour workday started at Carnegie Steel Corporation.

1930 – The first color sound cartoon, Called “Fiddlesticks”, was made by Ub Iwerks.

1954 – The first issue of “Sports Illustrated” was published by Time, Inc.

1960 – Joseph Kittinger parachuted from a balloon over New Mexico at 102,800 feet, setting three records that held until 2012: High-altitude jump, free fall, and highest speed by a human without an aircraft.

1962 – Pete Best was let go from the Beatles, to be replaced two days later by Ringo Starr.

1977 – Elvis Presley died of heart failure at the age of 42 at his Graceland Mansion in Memphis, TN. His girlfriend Ginger Alden discovered his body on a bathroom floor. An autopsy found 14 drugs in his system.

1984 – The U.S. Jaycees voted to admit women to full membership in the organization.

1987 – Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed after take off in Detroit, MI, killing 154 people on board and two people on the ground. The only survivor was a 4 year old girl.

1999 – The game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, with host Regis Philbin, debuted on TV.

2005 – Madonna starts out celebrating her 47th birthday riding a horse at her British estate. She was thrown from the horse and ended up in the hospital with three cracked ribs, a broken collarbone and a broken hand.

2008 – The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, IL, was topped off at 1,389 feet, at the time becoming the world’s highest residence above ground level.

2013 – The power went out at Google, causing all of their online services to crash for about five minutes. During the outage, internet traffic worldwide plummeted by about 40%.

2020 – The enormous August Complex fire in California was reported. It burned more than one million acres of land.

BIRTHDAYS:

Julie Newmar – 92 years old (1933) – Actress (Played Catwoman on TV’s “Batman”, movie “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar”)

Ketty Lester – 91 years old (1934) – Singer, actress (“Love Letters,” TV’s “Little House on the Prairie”, “Getting Personal”, movies “Blacula”, “Uptown Saturday Night”)

Bob Balaban – 80 years old (1945) – Actor (“Gosford Park”, “Deconstructing Harry”, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”)

Lesley Ann Warren – 79 years old (1946) – Actress (“The Happiest Millionaire”, “Victor Victoria”, “Clue”, “Color of Night”, TV’s “Mission: Impossible”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Will & Grace”)

Reginald VelJohnson – 73 years old (1952) – Actor (“Die Hard”, TV’s “Family Matters”)

Kathie Lee Gifford – 72 years old (1953) – Television host (“Today”, “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee”)

James “J.T.” Taylor – 72 years old (1953) – Singer (Kool and The Gang)

James Cameron – 71 years old (1954) – Director (“Titanic”, “Avatar”, “True Lies”, “The Abyss”, “Aliens”, “The Terminator”, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”)

Tim Farriss – 68 years old (1957) – Guitarist (INXS)

Laura Innes – 68 years old (1957) – Actress (Played Dr. Kerry Weaver on TV’s “ER”, “The Event”). Born in Pontiac, MI.

Angela Bassett – 67 years old (1958) – Actress (“What’s Love Got to Do With It?”, “Sunshine State”, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”, “Waiting to Exhale”)

Madonna – 67 years old (1958) – Singer. Born in Bay City, MI.

Timothy Hutton – 65 years old (1960) – Actor (“Ordinary People”, “The Ghost Writer”, “The General’s Daughter”, “The Falcon & the Snowman”, “Taps”)

Steve Carell – 63 years old (1962) – Actor (TV’s “The Office”, movies “Foxcatcher”, “Crazy Stupid Love”, “Date Night”, “Get Smart”, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”)

Donovan Leitch – 58 years old (1967) – Actor (“Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo”, “The In Crowd”, “…And God Created Woman”, “The Blob”)

Andy Milder – 56 years old (1969) – Actor (“Apollo 13”, “Armageddon”, “Rumor Has It…”, “Frost/Nixon”, “Transformers”, TV’s “Fame”, “L.A.”, “Weeds”)

Emily Robison – 53 years old (1972) – Singer, musician, songwriter (The Dixie Chicks, Court Yard Hounds)

George Stults – 50 years old (1975) – Actor (TV’s “7th Heaven”). Born in Detroit, MI.

TODAY IS:

National Roller Coaster Day: See if any of the amusement parks or fairgrounds near you offer a special deal on Rollercoaster Day, and get your adrenaline pumping on that stomach-dropping dive.
National Rum Day: Yo ho ho! Channel your inner pirate and let loose with a bottle of rum and a Pirates of the Caribbean marathon…or just the rum. That’s the important part.
International Geocaching Day: International Geocaching Day is a unique celebration that brings together outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers every year on the third Saturday of August. This exciting day marks a time when people from all over the globe engage in geocaching, a high-tech treasure-hunting game that uses GPS devices to locate hidden...
World Bratwurst Day: Hit up your local grocery store or meat market and bring home some delicious bratwurst, a high-quality type of German sausage made of pork, beef, or veal.
World Honey Bee Day: These little creatures are nature's buzzworthy superstars! They're responsible for pollinating a third of our food supply and creating delicious honey.
National Tell A Joke Day: Bringing smiles with witty punchlines and hilarious anecdotes, telling a good joke is a delightful art that turns ordinary moments into bursts of laughter and camaraderie.
National Airborne Day: On the anniversary of the first official US Army parachute jump in 1940, take a minute of silence to honor all the brave airborne men and women paratroopers.
International Homeless Animals Day: Donate time or money to help homeless animals around the world, from providing food to neutering or spaying to helping with rescue and adoption efforts.
Surveillance Day: Surveillance cameras are all around us, especially in cities. See this first-hand by spending the day looking for them, and giving a wave to any you see.
Break The Monotony Day: Break the monotony of your regular schedule by switching it up, whether a big change like a vacation, or small ones like a new coffee shop or route to work.
National Authenticity Day: In a world that abounds with fakes, filters, and forced smiles, National Authenticity Day brings something refreshing—honesty. It’s a celebration of people who stay true to themselves, no matter what. Whether loud or quiet, bold or soft-spoken, everyone has something real to offer. This day gives space to drop the act...
National Backflow Prevention Day: Clean water seems like a given—turn the tap, and it flows. But keeping it safe takes more than good plumbing. That’s where backflow preventers come in. These small devices stop dirty water from sneaking into our drinking supply. When pressure drops or pipes shift, water can reverse direction. Without a barrier...
Bennington Battle Day: Bennington Battle Day is Vermont’s way of marking a hard-won victory during the Revolutionary War. The day stands out as a festive, heartfelt tribute carried on by townsfolk for nearly 250 years. Local leaders and fire crews plan lively parades and events that bring the community together around their shared...
National Independent Worker Day: Freelancers, consultants, gig workers, and small business owners take the spotlight on this special day. It honors those who choose freedom and self-direction over office routines. People gather to cheer each other on. Work becomes personal and flexible. Everyone brings their own zest and vision. Local talent brings fresh energy to...
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...
Afternoon Tea Week: Host a British-inspired Afternoon Tea and plug that gap between lunch and dinner with tea, biscuits (cookies), scones, clotted cream, whatever you like.
National Science Week: Science lovers have a very special week to look forward to every year—National Science Week. It is an exciting annual event that celebrates the wonders of science and technology. This week-long celebration aims to inspire people of all ages to engage with science through various activities and events. It's a...
Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
Janmashtami: Janmashtami is one of the most joyous festivals celebrated across India and by Hindus worldwide. The day honors the birth of Lord Krishna, a beloved deity known for his wisdom, playfulness, and divine teachings. Krishna's life symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, teaching values like love, compassion, and righteousness...
National Bargain Hunting Week: Exploring discounts and deals, seekers unearth treasures while navigating the maze of savings, discovering hidden gems.