August 28

Scott Winters August 28, 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:

1845 – “Scientific American” was first published. It has gone on to become the oldest continuously published monthly magazine in America.

1898 – Pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented a carbonated soft drink. It was originally referred to as “Brad’s Drink”. We know that soda today as “Pepsi Cola”.

1907 – Two teenagers, Jim Casey and Claude Ryan, took $100 and start a company called American Messenger Company. It went on to become United Parcel Service.

1922 – The first radio commercial aired on WEAF in New York, NY. The 10-minute advertisement for the Queensboro Realty Company cost the firm $100.

1939 – The first successful flight of a jet-propelled airplane.

1957 – Senator Strom Thurmond began a filibuster to prevent the Senate from voting on the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He finally stopped speaking 24 hours and 18 minutes later, the longest filibuster ever conducted by a single Senator.

1963 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his “I Have a Dream” speech to 250,000 people at a civil rights rally, at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, DC.

1964 – In Michigan, a state law went into effect banning hitchhikers and bicycles from freeways.

1972 – Mark Spitz won his first of 7 gold medals at the Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany. He completed the 200-meter butterfly in 2 minutes and 7/10ths of a second to set a world record.

1981 – John Hinckley Jr. pleaded innocent to the charge of attempting to kill President Ronald Reagan. He is later acquitted by reason of insanity.

1981 – “The New York Daily News” published its final afternoon edition.

1986 – Tina Turner was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

1989 – Televangelist Jim Bakker went on trial for fraud and conspiracy.

1993 – The Galileo spacecraft discovered a moon, later named Dactyl, around 243 Ida, the first known asteroid moon.

1993 – The TV show “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” debuted.

1995 – The biggest bank in the U.S. was created when Chase Manhattan and Chemical Bank announced their $10 billion deal.

1996 – Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales were granted a divorce decree to end their 15 year marriage.

1999 – The very last “Bozo’s Big Top” show aired in Grand Rapids, MI on WZZM TV 13. Read more about it here.

2003 – Pizza delivery man Brian Wells was murdered during a complex plot involving a bank robbery, scavenger hunt, and homemade explosive device near his hometown of Erie, PA. Following an attempt to rob a PNC Bank, and while surrounded by police, Wells was murdered when an explosive collar that was locked around his neck detonated.

2004 – Seven thieves stole an entire 42 foot bridge in Bosnia. Over several days, the group dismantled the metal bridge, transported the parts to a local junk yard, and sold them.

2006 – A man in Argentina sued the owner of a garage for the overdue repair of his automobile. He said the auto repair shop has been fixing his car for way too long. Every time he called he was told it would be two more weeks. The garage had had the man’s car for — six years!

2007 – According to a Census Bureau report, Maryland topped New Jersey as the wealthiest state in the nation. New Jersey is followed in the ranking by Connecticut, Hawaii and New Hampshire. Mississippi was at the bottom of the list.

2007 – Lisa Nowak, the NASA astronaut turned diaper-wearing stalker, announced her intention to pursue a temporary insanity defense to charges that she assaulted and tried to kidnap a rival for the affections of a fellow astronaut.

2009 – The Los Angeles County Coroner declared Michael Jackson’s death June 25th a homicide caused by the combination of drugs in his system. Dr. Conrad Murray was later charged and convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

2014 – Google announced its Project Wing. The project was aimed at delivering products across a city using unmanned flying vehicles.

BIRTHDAYS:

Ken Jenkins – 85 years old (1940) – Actor (Played Dr. Bob Kelso, the Chief of Medicine, on TV’s “Scrubs”)

Danny Seraphine – 77 years old (1948) – Drummer (Chicago)

Rick Rossovich – 68 years old (1957) – Actor (Played Ron “Slider” Kerner in “Top Gun”, “Terminator”)

Daniel Stern – 68 years old (1957) – Actor (“Diner”, “Blue Thunder”, “City Slickers”, “Home Alone”)

Scott Hamilton – 67 years old (1958) – Olympic figure skater

Emma Samms – 65 years old (1960) – Actress (TV’s “General Hospital”, “Dynasty”, “The Colbys”)

Jennifer Coolidge – 64 years old (1961) – Actress (Played “Stifler’s mom” in the “American Pie” movies, “Legally Blonde”, played Sophie on TV’s “2 Broke Girls”)

Shania Twain – 60 years old (1965) – Country singer

Jack Black – 56 years old (1969) – Actor, singer, guitarist (“Gulliver’s Travels”, “Tropic Thunder”, “King Kong”, “School of Rock”, “High Fidelity”, TV’s “The Brink”)

Jason Priestley – 56 years old (1969) – Actor (TV’s “Beverly Hills 90210”)

Matthew John Armstrong – 52 years old (1973) – Actor (TV’s “Heroes”, “American Dreams”)

J. August Richards – 52 years old (1973) – Actor (Played vampire hunter Charles Gunn on TV’s “Angel”)

Max Collins – 47 years old (1978) – Singer, Bassist (Eve 6)

LeAnn Rimes – 43 years old (1982) – Singer

Armie Hammer – 39 years old (1986) – Actor (“The Lone Ranger”, “Mirror Mirror”, “The Social Network”)

Samuel Larsen – 34 years old (1991) – Actor, singer (TV’s “Glee”)

Kyle Massey – 34 years old (1991) – Actor (TV’s “Cory in the House”, “That’s So Raven”)

Quvenzhané Wallis – 22 years old (2003) – Actress, singer (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”)

TODAY IS:

National Red Wine Day: Rich, velvety flavor and bold notes — this drink is the perfect complement to any occasion, from an elegant dinner to a cozy night in.
National Bow Tie Day: From Dr. Who to James Bond, anyone can make a bow tie look cool. Bring back this classic fashion at least for one day on National Bow Tie Day. Restart the trend!
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day: Mourning the loss of a pet is a horrible experience. Honor all the pets you’ve ever loved, who have crossed over that “rainbow bridge” into a better place.
Radio Commercials Day: Dig into an online archive for old radio advertisements, and consider how much things have changed over the years—as well as how much they haven’t.
National Cherry Turnover Day: Delectable pastry filled with warm, sweet filling, wrapped in a golden, flaky crust that melts in your mouth.
Crackers Over The Keyboard Day: Tip your computer keyboard over and gently tap all around it in order to see what kinds of nasty crumbs, eraser shavings, and who knows what else falls out.
Makaton International Awareness Day: Makaton International Awareness Day is a joyful moment that highlights Makaton—a friendly way of mixing speech, hand signs, and picture symbols so people with communication challenges can express themselves. The day bursts with energy and warmth as families, schools, and communities come together. They learn a sign, smile with new...
National Thoughtful Day: Sometimes, all it takes is one kind gesture to turn someone's day around. National Thoughtful Day is all about that spark—those little actions that speak volumes. It’s a chance to slow down, notice others, and do something that brings a smile or eases a burden. Holding a door, sharing a...
International Read Comics in Public Day: International Read Comics in Public Day turns sidewalks, parks, and buses into colorful reading spots. On this day, people take their comics outdoors and dive into them with no hesitation. It's not about hiding behind a screen or reading quietly in a corner. It's about flipping pages in full view...
National Power Rangers Day: National Power Rangers Day invites fans to celebrate the iconic heroes who have inspired generations. This special day honors the enduring legacy of the Power Rangers, who have been a symbol of courage and teamwork since their debut in 1993. The Power Rangers have always stood for diversity and unity...
Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day: Allow boredom to seep into your bones, and race your cursor around your desktop icons in a fun yet brain-meltingly-boring game of Race Your Mouse Around The Icons.
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...
Be Kind to Humankind Week: Genuine gestures illuminate hearts, weaving compassion into the fabric of everyday connections, fostering solidarity and empathy.
Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
National Composites Week: National Composites Week is an event that spotlights the critical role composite materials play in various industries. These materials, known for their strength, durability, and flexibility, are used in everything from aerospace to everyday consumer goods. During this week, the spotlight is on the innovative ways these composites enhance product performance...
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...