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:
1844 – The University of Notre Dame received its charter from the state of Indiana.
1870 – A donkey was used to symbolize the Democratic Party for the first time in a cartoon by Thomas Nast titled “A Live Jackass Kicking a Dead Lion”. The cartoon appeared in “Harper’s Weekly”.
1889 – The Coca-Cola Company, then known as the Pemberton Medicine Company, was incorporated in Atlanta, GA.
1892 – The rules of basketball were published for the first time in “Triangle” magazine in Springfield, MA, where the game originated. The original rules involved attaching a peach basket to a suspended board.
1913 – The first telephone line between Berlin and New York was inaugurated.
1919 – A large molasses tank in Boston, MA, burst and sent a wave of molasses through the streets, killing 21 people and injuring 150 others.
1936 – The first building to be completely covered in glass, that was built for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company Laboratory, was completed in Toledo, OH.
1943 – The Pentagon was dedicated as the world’s largest office building. The structure covers 34 acres of land and has 17 miles of corridors.
1953 – Harry S. Truman became the first President to use radio and television to give his farewell as he left office.
1955 – The first solar-heated, radiation-cooled house was built by Raymond Bliss in Tucson, AZ.
1967 – In Los Angeles, CA, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in the NFL’s first Super Bowl.
1967 – The Rolling Stones performed on TV’s “Ed Sullivan Show” and were forced to change their lyrics of “Let’s Spend the Night Together” to “Let’s Spend Some Time Together”.
1974 – The television show “Happy Days” premiered on ABC.
1975 – The “Space Mountain” rollercoaster opened at Disney World in Orlando, FL.
1976 – Sara Jane Moore was sentenced to life in prison for her attempt on the life of President Gerald Ford in San Francisco, CA.
1986 – President Ronald Reagan signed legislation making Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a National holiday to be celebrated on the third Monday of January.
1987 – Paramount Home Video announced that it would run a commercial at the front of one of its video releases for the first time. The 30 second Diet Pepsi spot was placed on the videocassette for the movie “Top Gun”.
1988 – Football analyst Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder made racist remarks about black athletes on network TV.
2001 – Wikipedia was launched.
2003 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Congress had permission to repeatedly extend copyright protection.
2005 – ESA’s SMART-1 lunar orbiter discovered elements such as calcium, aluminum, silicon, iron and other surface elements on the moon.
2006 – NASA’s Stardust space probe mission was completed when it’s sample return capsule returned to Earth with comet dust from comet Wild 2.
2008 – The iTunes Music Store reached 4 billion songs sold.
2009 – The “Miracle on the Hudson” — US Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed a passenger jet with 155 passengers and crew on the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey. The plane had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport. The plane struck a flock of geese and lost all power. All passengers and crew members survived.
2020 – The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Japan.
BIRTHDAYS:
Ruth Slenczynska – 101 years old (1925) – Pianist and composer
Robert Silverberg – 91 years old (1935) – Author and editor
Margaret O'Brien – 89 years old (1937) – Actress and singer
Stuart E. Eizenstat – 83 years old (1943) – Lawyer and diplomat, United States Ambassador to the European Union
Andrea Martin – 79 years old (1947) – American-Canadian actress, singer, and screenwriter
Howard Twitty – 77 years old (1949) – Golfer
Ernie DiGregorio – 75 years old (1951) – Basketball player
Randy White – 73 years old (1953) – Football player
Marc Trestman – 70 years old (1956) – Football player and coach
David Ige – 69 years old (1957) – Politician
Marty Lyons – 69 years old (1957) – Football player and sportscaster
Mario Van Peebles – 69 years old (1957) – Mexican-American actor and director
Bernard Hopkins – 61 years old (1965) – Boxer and coach
Adam Jones – 61 years old (1965) – Musician and songwriter
Ted Tryba – 59 years old (1967) – Golfer
Chad Lowe – 58 years old (1968) – Actor, director, and producer
Delino DeShields – 57 years old (1969) – Baseball player and manager
Michele Granger – 56 years old (1970) – Softball player
Shane McMahon – 56 years old (1970) – Wrestler and businessman
Regina King – 55 years old (1971) – Actress
Shelia Burrell – 54 years old (1972) – Heptathlete
Mary Pierce – 51 years old (1975) – Canadian-American tennis player and coach
Doug Gottlieb – 50 years old (1976) – Basketball player and sportscaster
Dorian Missick – 50 years old (1976) – Actor
Eddie Cahill – 48 years old (1978) – Actor
Drew Brees – 47 years old (1979) – Football player
Matt Holliday – 46 years old (1980) – Baseball player
Pitbull – 45 years old (1981) – Rapper and producer
Ben Shapiro – 42 years old (1984) – Author and commentator
Victor Rasuk – 42 years old (1984) – Actor
Jessy Schram – 40 years old (1986) – Actress and model
Kelly Kelly – 39 years old (1987) – Wrestler and model
Skrillex – 38 years old (1988) – DJ and producer
Donald Sloan – 38 years old (1988) – Basketball player
Nicole Ross – 37 years old (1989) – Olympic foil fencer
Sidney Franklin – 36 years old (1990) – Actor and tap dancer
Chris Warren – 36 years old (1990) – Actor
Matt Duffy – 35 years old (1991) – Baseball player
Mitch Garver – 35 years old (1991) – Baseball player
Kadeem Allen – 33 years old (1993) – Basketball player
Dove Cameron – 30 years old (1996) – Actress and singer
Deebo Samuel – 30 years old (1996) – Football player
Triston Casas – 26 years old (2000) – Baseball player
Grace VanderWaal – 22 years old (2004) – Singer-songwriter
TODAY IS:
- National Bagel Day: Munch on this doughy, holey bread at every meal, bake your own or host a bagel party to sample a variety of delicious fillings and toppings.
- Wikipedia Day: With millions of articles on everything from science to pop culture, Wikipedia is the perfect place to find information on almost anything!
- The Washing of Bonfim: The Washing of Bonfim, also known as the Feast of Bonfim, is a vibrant celebration in Salvador, Brazil. People gather at the Bonfim Church, where locals and visitors alike take part in a lively procession. The event centers around the symbolic washing of the church steps with water, scented with flowers...
- National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day: Packed with vitamins and bursting with flavor, there's nothing quite like a tall glass of fresh squeezed juice!
- National Hat Day: From beanies to fedoras, there's a hat for every occasion — express your personality and add a touch of flair to any outfit.
- National Strawberry Ice Cream Day: This refreshing dessert with fruity notes, creamy texture, and a touch of sweetness, will make your taste buds dance with joy!
- Women’s Healthy Weight Day: Celebrate self-love and embrace the beauty within. Rock your unique style, radiate confidence, and dance to your own fabulous beat!
- National Booch Day: The fermented, bubbly beverage crafted from tea, offering a tangy twist and potential health benefits to elevate your sipping experience.
- Public Domain Day: Discover creative freedom, and dive into a vast world of inspiring stories, art, and music that's free to explore and use.
- National Pothole Day: Testing the resilience of every traveler, these unassuming gaps in the road serve as a reminder of nature's impact on our paved world.
- National American Eskimo Dog Day: National American Eskimo Dog Day is a cheerful nod to one of the most lovable breeds out there. With their thick white coats, alert expressions, and playful energy, these pups have a way of winning hearts fast. Whether curled up on the couch or prancing proudly in the yard, Eskies know...
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Day: Alpha Kappa Alpha Day honors the first historically Black sorority founded by college-educated women. This day celebrates the unity and purpose shared by its members. It brings together women who have committed to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and community service. The sorority's members, including notable figures like Vice President Kamala...
- Get to Know Your Customers Day: Imagine walking into your favorite local shop, where the owner greets you by name and knows exactly what you love. This personalized touch is at the heart of Get to Know Your Customers Day, a special occasion encouraging businesses to deepen their understanding of the people they serve. By engaging...
- Indian Army Day: With over 1.4 million active soldiers, the Indian Army, known for their valiant efforts, is one of the largest in the world.
- Magh Bihu: Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, is a vibrant harvest festival celebrated in Assam. It marks the end of the harvesting season and is a time of great joy, reflecting the spirit of abundance and community togetherness. The festivities begin the night before, known as Uruka, when families and...
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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.
