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:
1789 – Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to a friend in which he said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
1805 – A Viennese butcher, Johann George Lehner, invented the “frankfurter”.
1927 – The Holland Tunnel opened to the public. It provided access between New York City, NY, and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River.
1933 – The first sit-down labor strike in America took place in Austin, MN.
1940 – The Walt Disney movie “Fantasia” had its world premiere at New York’s Broadway Theater.
1942 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a measure lowering the minimum draft age from 21 to 18.
1956 – The U.S. Supreme Court struck down laws calling for racial segregation on public buses.
1970 – The Attorney General in Michigan ruled that funeral homes may not serve food or beverages.
1971 – The U.S. spacecraft Mariner 9 orbited around Mars to became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.
1972 – The first lottery ticket was sold in Michigan to then Governor William Milliken.
1974 – Ronald DeFeo, Jr., murdered his entire family in Amityville, Long Island in the house that would become known as “The Amityville Horror”.
1977 – Al Capp’s comic strip “Li’l Abner” appeared in newspapers for the last time.
1982 – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC, after a march to its site by thousands of Vietnam War veterans.
1986 – President Ronald Reagan publicly acknowledged that the U.S. had sent “defensive weapons and spare parts” to Iran. He denied that the shipments were sent to free hostages, but that they had been sent to improve relations.
1990 – Patricia Boughton filed a lawsuit against singer Rod Stewart. She claimed that a football he kicked into the crowd during a concert at Pine Knob Music Theater ruptured a tendon in her middle finger. She said the injury made sex between her and her husband difficult.
1995 – The 17th James Bond film, “Goldeneye”, premiered in Los Angeles, CA. It was the first film starring Pierce Brosnan at James Bond.
1997 – “The Lion King on Broadway” opened in New York, NY.
1998 – Monica Lewinsky signed a book deal with St. Martin’s Press for the rights to her story about her affair with President Bill Clinton.
1998 – President Bill Clinton agreed to pay Paula Jones $850,000, without an apology or admission of guilt, to end her sexual harassment suit against him.
1999 – The animated movie “Toy Story 2”, produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, premiered in theaters.
2000 – The Beatles compilation album “1” was released. It would become the best selling album of the decade.
2006 – A deal was finalized for Google Inc. to acquire YouTube for $1.65 billion in Google stock.
2009 – NASA announced that water had been discovered on the moon. The discovery came from the planned impact on the moon of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS).
2012 – The video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” went on sale, selling $500 million worth of games in the first 24 hours.
2013 – 4 World Trade Center officially opened.
BIRTHDAYS:
Peter Arnett – 91 years old (1934) – New Zealand-American journalist and academic
Jack Rule – 87 years old (1938) – Jr. , American golfer
Baby Washington – 85 years old (1940) – Soul singer
David Green – 84 years old (1941) – Businessman and philanthropist, founded Hobby Lobby
William Taubman – 84 years old (1941) – Political scientist and author
John P. Hammond – 83 years old (1942) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Jay Sigel – 82 years old (1943) – Golfer
Bobby Manuel – 80 years old (1945) – Guitarist and producer
Ray Wylie Hubbard – 79 years old (1946) – Country singer-songwriter and guitarist
Amory Lovins – 78 years old (1947) – Physicist and environmentalist
Joe Mantegna – 78 years old (1947) – Actor and voice artist
Harry Hurt III – 74 years old (1951) – Author and journalist
Merrick Garland – 73 years old (1952) – Jurist, 86th United States Attorney General
Mark Lye – 73 years old (1952) – Golfer
Tracy Scoggins – 72 years old (1953) – Actress
Scott McNealy – 71 years old (1954) – Businessman, co-founded Sun Microsystems
Chris Noth – 71 years old (1954) – Actor and producer
Bill Britton – 70 years old (1955) – Golfer
Whoopi Goldberg – 70 years old (1955) – Actress, comedian, and talk show host
Rex Linn – 69 years old (1956) – Actor
Greg Abbott – 68 years old (1957) – Politician, 48th Governor of Texas
Neil Flynn – 65 years old (1960) – Actor
Kim Polese – 64 years old (1961) – Entrepreneur and technology executive
Vinny Testaverde – 62 years old (1963) – Football player
Dan Sullivan – 61 years old (1964) – Politician
Jimmy Kimmel – 58 years old (1967) – Comedian, actor, and talk show host
Steve Zahn – 58 years old (1967) – Actor and singer
Pat Hentgen – 57 years old (1968) – Baseball player and coach
Ayaan Hirsi Ali – 56 years old (1969) – Somalian-American activist and author
Lori Berenson – 56 years old (1969) – Activist
Jordan Bridges – 52 years old (1973) – Actor
Ari Hoenig – 52 years old (1973) – Drummer and composer
Aisha Hinds – 50 years old (1975) – Actress
Nikolai Fraiture – 47 years old (1978) – Bass player
Metta Sandiford-Artest – 46 years old (1979) – Basketball player
Monique Coleman – 45 years old (1980) – Actress, singer, and dancer
Sara Del Rey – 45 years old (1980) – Wrestler and trainer
Ryan Bertin – 44 years old (1981) – Wrestler and coach
Rivkah – 44 years old (1981) – Author and illustrator
Michael Copon – 43 years old (1982) – Actor, singer, and producer
Samkon Gado – 43 years old (1982) – Nigerian-American football player
Wade Miley – 39 years old (1986) – Baseball player
Dana Vollmer – 38 years old (1987) – Swimmer
Matt Bennett – 34 years old (1991) – Actor
Shabazz Muhammad – 33 years old (1992) – Basketball player
Julia Michaels – 32 years old (1993) – Singer and songwriter
Brett Baty – 26 years old (1999) – Baseball player
Sydney Agudong – 25 years old (2000) – Actress and singer
Giovanni Reyna – 23 years old (2002) – Soccer player
TODAY IS:
- World Kindness Day: Share random acts of compassion on World Kindness Day by helping strangers, giving back to the community or teaching your children the value of niceness.
- National Hug a Musician Day: Feeling the rhythm of their soul through an embrace, sharing a silent connection that speaks volumes in the language of music.
- Symphonic Metal Day: The fusion of harmonious melodies and thunderous might — a musical realm where orchestras and electric guitars unite in majestic harmony.
- World Quality Day: To err is human, but quality control ensures perfection. From production lines to service industries, it's the critical step that ensures customer satisfaction and peace of mind.
- Sadie Hawkins Day: Sadie Hawkins Day is the perfect day to flip the old, perhaps even sending it to the dustbin of history. This occasion is the day of empowering women. It’s when women will take a stand - and take the lead in romantic pursuits. Meanwhile, the men play the coy recipients...
- National Community Education Day: National Community Education Day honors the people, programs, and purpose behind learning that goes far beyond school walls. It shines a light on community-centered education—from early childhood to older adulthood—and all the teachers, coordinators, and volunteers who help it happen. These efforts build stronger neighborhoods where growth never stops and learning...
- World Usability Day: You press a button on a screen, and nothing happens. The words are tiny, the layout’s confusing, and you're stuck. That’s exactly the kind of thing World Usability Day tries to fix. It's a global effort to make everyday technology easier for people to use. From apps to elevators, the aim...
- National Indian Pudding Day: There is a rich and thick indulgence that is perfect for a cold winter’s day, something that brings the warmth and deliciousness of tradition together with childhood memories. In the New England area, this indulgence is known as ‘Indian Pudding’, a variation on the Hasty Pudding that was a classic...
- National Book Award Week: National Book Award Week, celebrated from November 7 to 13, shines a spotlight on the power of storytelling and the diversity of voices in American literature. This special week marks a time to honor and discover the incredible works of authors that shape our understanding and enjoyment of books. From...
- National Split Pea Soup Week: Savoring a comforting blend of legumes, slow-cooked to perfection, offering warmth and nourishment during the cold season.
- Benjamin Banneker Week: Unleashing his brilliance, this remarkable individual made history with his achievements in science, engineering, and his unwavering dedication to knowledge.
- National Recycling Week: National Recycling Week is an exciting time to highlight the significance of recycling. This week aims to educate and inspire individuals, communities, and organizations to improve their recycling habits. Celebrating National Recycling Week helps spread awareness about the importance of recycling. It emphasizes reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling properly. These...
- Anti-Bullying Week: Bullying is an ongoing issue that affects individuals of all ages. Anti-Bullying Week aims to raise awareness and promote kindness and respect. The week emphasizes respect and kindness, encouraging people to celebrate differences and promote unity. It highlights the negative impact of bullying and the importance of creating a supportive...
- Nurse Practitioner Week: Nurse Practitioner Week is a lively celebration of the essential work nurse practitioners (NPs) do. This special week highlights their contributions to healthcare, emphasizing their role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The week draws attention to the unique combination of clinical expertise and compassionate care that NPs provide. It's a...
- Perioperative Nurse Week: Perioperative Nurse Week is a lively celebration that honors the vital work of perioperative nurses. These dedicated professionals play a key role in patient care before, during, and after surgeries. The week spotlights their dedication to ensuring smooth and safe surgical experiences for patients. Their specialized skills and compassion make...
- Dear Santa Letter Week: Have you ever wondered what it feels like to send a wish directly to Santa Claus? Every year, during Dear Santa Letter Week, children and adults alike take pen to paper to craft personal messages to the jolly old elf. Celebrated during November, this week captures the essence of childhood...
- Transgender Awareness Week: Promoting understanding and compassion for diverse identities, bringing forth enlightenment and unity, echoing the spirit of humanity.
- Sugar Awareness Week: Have you ever checked the ingredients on your favorite snack? Sugar shows up in places you wouldn't expect—like pasta sauce, bread, and yogurt. Sugar Awareness Week brings attention to this sneaky habit in the food world. It challenges everyone to take a closer look at what they eat and drink each...
- Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week: From our furry companions to majestic wildlife, our connection with the animal kingdom is a bond that goes beyond words.
- National Young Readers Week: Fostering young minds' love for stories and expanding horizons through the magic of books; opening doors to imagination.
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For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.

