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:
1307 – William Tell shot an apple off his son’s head.
1820 – Captain Nathaniel Palmer became the first American to sight the continent of Antarctica.
1865 – Samuel L. Clemens published “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” under the pen name “Mark Twain” in the New York “Saturday Press.”
1872 – Susan B. Anthony and 14 other women were arrested for illegal voting in the U.S. Presidential election.
1883 – U.S. and Canadian railroads adopted five standard continental time zones to end the confusion of thousands of local times.
1903 – The U.S. and Panama signed a treaty that granted the U.S. rights to build the Panama Canal.
1928 – The first successful animated cartoon with sound premiered in New York, NY. It was Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willie,” starring Mickey Mouse. This is considered by the Disney Corporation to be Mickey’s birthday.
1963 – The first push-button telephone went into service.
1966 – Roman Catholic bishops in the U.S. rescind the church rule against eating meat on Fridays.
1969 – Apollo 12 astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad, Jr., and Alan L. Bean landed on the lunar surface during the second manned mission to the Moon.
1978 – In Jonestown, Guyana, Jim Jones led his Peoples Temple to a mass murder-suicide by drinking cyanide laced Kool-Aid. 918 people died in all, 909 of them in Jonestown, including over 270 children. Congressman Leo Ryan was murdered by members of the Peoples Temple hours earlier.
1980 – The first episode of the TV show “Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters” debuted on NBC. Guest stars were Dolly Parton and John Schneider.
1983 – The classic holiday movie, “A Christmas Story”, premiered in theaters.
1985 – Elmo made his debut in the premiere of the 17th season of PBS’s “Sesame Street”.
1987 – The U.S. Congress issued the Iran-Contra Affair report. The report said that President Ronald Reagan bore “ultimate responsibility” for wrongdoing by his aides.
1987 – CBS Inc. announced it had agreed to sell its record division to Sony Corp. for about $2 billion.
1988 – The animated Universal movie “The Land Before Time” premiered in theaters.
1988 – President Ronald Reagan signed major legislation providing the death penalty for drug traffickers who kill.
1993 – American Airlines flight attendants went on strike. The strike ended 4 days later.
1993 – The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was approved by the House of Representatives.
1997 – First Union Corp. announced its purchase of CoreStates Financial Corp. for $16.1 billion. To date it was the largest banking deal in U.S. history.
1998 – The animated television series, “The Powerpuff Girls”, debuted.
1999 – 12 people were killed and 28 injured when a huge ceremonial bonfire being constructed at Texas A&M University collapsed.
2001 – Nintendo released the GameCube home video game console in the United States.
2004 – The $165 million Bill Clinton Presidential Library opened in Little Rock, AR.
2011 – Regis Philbin appeared on his farewell episode of “Live! with Regis and Kelly”. After more then 28 years, Philbin, had logged more than 17,000 hours on television in a career that dates back to the 1960s
2013 – NASA launched the MAVEN probe to Mars.
BIRTHDAYS:
Brenda Vaccaro – 86 years old (1939) – Actress
Linda Evans – 83 years old (1942) – Actress
Susan Sullivan – 83 years old (1942) – Actress
Ed Krupp – 81 years old (1944) – Astronomer , archaeoastronomer , author, Director Griffith Observatory
Alan Dean Foster – 79 years old (1946) – Author
Jameson Parker – 78 years old (1947) – Actor
Rudy Sarzo – 75 years old (1950) – Cuban-American rock bass player
Pete Morelli – 74 years old (1951) – Businessman
Delroy Lindo – 73 years old (1952) – English-American actor and director
Kevin Nealon – 72 years old (1953) – Comedian and actor
Carter Burwell – 71 years old (1954) – Composer and conductor
Warren Moon – 69 years old (1956) – Football player and sportscaster
Tony Bunn – 68 years old (1957) – Bassist, composer, producer, and writer
Oscar Nunez – 67 years old (1958) – Cuban-American actor and comedian
Elizabeth Perkins – 65 years old (1960) – Actress
Bart Bryant – 63 years old (1962) – Golfer
Tim Guinee – 63 years old (1962) – Actor
Kirk Hammett – 63 years old (1962) – Guitarist, songwriter, member of the thrash metal band Metallica
Jamie Moyer – 63 years old (1962) – Baseball player
Dante Bichette – 62 years old (1963) – Baseball player and coach
Todd Bowles – 62 years old (1963) – Football player and coach
Rita Cosby – 61 years old (1964) – Journalist and author
Tim DeLaughter – 60 years old (1965) – Singer-songwriter and musician
Tom Gordon – 58 years old (1967) – Baseball player
George Kotsiopoulos – 57 years old (1968) – Stylist and journalist
Romany Malco – 57 years old (1968) – Rapper, producer, actor, and screenwriter
Gary Sheffield – 57 years old (1968) – Baseball player
Owen Wilson – 57 years old (1968) – Actor
Sam Cassell – 56 years old (1969) – Basketball player and coach
Duncan Sheik – 56 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter and composer
Mike Epps – 55 years old (1970) – Actor and comedian
Megyn Kelly – 55 years old (1970) – Lawyer and journalist
Terrance Hayes – 54 years old (1971) – Poet and academic
Chloë Sevigny – 51 years old (1974) – Actress, model, and fashion designer
Shawn Camp – 50 years old (1975) – Baseball player and coach
David Ortiz – 50 years old (1975) – Dominican-American baseball player
Pastor Troy – 50 years old (1975) – Rapper, producer, and actor
Jason Williams – 50 years old (1975) – Basketball player
Dominic Armato – 49 years old (1976) – Voice actor
Sage Francis – 49 years old (1976) – Rapper
Steven Pasquale – 49 years old (1976) – Actor
Fabolous – 48 years old (1977) – Rapper
Nate Parker – 46 years old (1979) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Denny Hamlin – 45 years old (1980) – Race car driver
C. J. Wilson – 45 years old (1980) – Baseball player
Mekia Cox – 44 years old (1981) – Actress and dancer
Nasim Pedrad – 44 years old (1981) – Iranian-American actress
Christina Vidal – 44 years old (1981) – Actress and singer
Justin Knapp – 43 years old (1982) – Wikipedia editor
Damon Wayans Jr. – 43 years old (1982) – Actor and comedian
Travis Buck – 42 years old (1983) – Baseball player
Allyson Felix – 40 years old (1985) – Sprinter
Jake Abel – 38 years old (1987) – Actor
Jeffrey Jordan – 37 years old (1988) – Basketball player
Michael Roach – 37 years old (1988) – Soccer player
Arnett Moultrie – 35 years old (1990) – Basketball player
Jameson Taillon – 34 years old (1991) – Canadian-American baseball player
Nathan Kress – 33 years old (1992) – Actor and director
Quincy Miller – 33 years old (1992) – Basketball player
Joe Thuney – 33 years old (1992) – Football player
Christian Kirk – 29 years old (1996) – Football player
Shea Langeliers – 28 years old (1997) – Baseball player
Caleb Williams – 24 years old (2001) – Football player
Patrick Baldwin Jr. – 23 years old (2002) – Basketball player
TODAY IS:
- National Princess Day: Throw a fairytale-themed party with fancy dress for your children and their friends, watch a Disney movie or pamper yourself royally on Princess Day.
- Minnie Mouse’s Birthday: That iconic polka-dotted, bow-rocking character who's the perfect partner for some theme park fun and a dash of cartoon nostalgia.
- Mickey Mouse Day: Celebrating the iconic character with round ears and a big smile — the symbol of a famous theme park and beloved cartoons.
- Entrepreneurs’ Day: The dreamers who turn their ideas into reality; the doers who turn setbacks into opportunities; the innovators who drive progress.
- World Day for the Prevention and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence: Traumas can be profound and leave a permanent mark on our lives, especially when they involve the youngest among us. The World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence brings much-needed attention to this serious issue. This day highlights a shared commitment across the...
- Apple Cider Day: This timeless elixir, born from nature's bounty, captures the essence of orchards in every sip, a comforting embrace of crispness and warmth.
- Occult Day: Let's dive into the fascinating world of Occult Day, celebrated every November 18th. This day lights up the calendar with a touch of mystery and the allure of the unknown. It's a special time when people all around the globe pause to explore the shadowy corners of mysticism and spirituality...
- Housing Day: Appreciating the simple comforts of a warm, safe shelter is a reminder of life's blessings and the importance of gratitude.
- Underwater Hockey World Day: Exploring the depths with a unique sport combining strategy, teamwork, and the thrill of underwater competition.
- National Working Daughters Day: Nurturing the well-being of aging loved ones and embodying the strength found in caregiving bonds and selfless dedication.
- Married to a Scorpio Support Day: Ahhh Scorpios! Mysterious, fiery, and loyal to the core. Married to a Scorpio Support Day gives a playful nod to the people who love them up close. These partners know that life with a Scorpio isn't quiet. It's bold, emotional, and full of passion. Living with someone so intense takes guts—and...
- National Injury Prevention Day: National Injury Prevention Day highlights how simple steps can protect people from serious harm. It brings together hospitals, schools, and safety groups to share helpful ideas. Lights glow green in cities to remind communities that keeping families safe matters. Experts point out that injuries rank as a top cause of death...
- European Antibiotic Awareness Day: Imagine feeling sick and thinking, “I just need some antibiotics.” It’s a common thought, but not always the right one. That’s where European Antibiotic Awareness Day steps in. It helps people across Europe understand that antibiotics aren't magic pills for every illness. The campaign connects doctors, families, and communities with one...
- National Vichyssoise Day: This silky, chilled concoction is a soothing hug for taste buds on sweltering days, blending earthy undertones with a creamy embrace.
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men: Raising awareness, and acknowledging the importance of safe spaces, and promoting equality, ensuring the well-being of all individuals.
- Benjamin Banneker Week: Unleashing his brilliance, this remarkable individual made history with his achievements in science, engineering, and his unwavering dedication to knowledge.
- Book Week Scotland: Book Week Scotland is a vibrant celebration of books and reading that brings together people from all walks of life across the nation. This week is packed with events, activities, and discussions designed to ignite a passion for reading. Whether it's through live readings, author interviews, or community book discussions, the...
- Transgender Awareness Week: Promoting understanding and compassion for diverse identities, bringing forth enlightenment and unity, echoing the spirit of humanity.
- US Antibiotic Awareness Week : The presence of antibiotics in the world has changed everything about modern medicine and the ways infections are fought. Reducing mortality and extending life expectancy, antibiotics now save the lives of millions of people each and every year. However, over the century since their discovery, the prolific use of antibiotics...
- World AMR Awareness Week : Antimicrobial Resistance, also known as AMR, takes place when microbes such as bacteria and viruses evolve so that they are no longer responsive to the types of medicines that used to treat them. This type of resistance makes these microbes much stronger and makes it more challenging to overcome the...
- Geography Awareness Week: Geography Awareness Week is a lively celebration that highlights the importance of understanding our world. It's a time to explore how geographical knowledge helps us connect with diverse landscapes and cultures. This week-long event invites everyone to appreciate the Earth's beauty and complexity, sparking curiosity about our surroundings. Celebrated annually, Geography Awareness...
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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.

