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:
1806 – James Madison Randolph, the grandson of President Thomas Jefferson, became the first child born in the White House.
1871 – A patent for a cable car system was given to Andrew S. Hallidie.
1900 – Mormon Brigham Roberts was denied a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for his practicing of polygamy.
1912 – English explorer Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole. Norwegian Roald Amundsen had beaten him there by one month. Scott and his party died during the return trip.
1913 – All partner interests in 36 Golden Rule Stores were consolidated and incorporated in Utah into one company. The new corporation was the J.C. Penney Company.
1916 – The Professional Golfers Association was formed in New York, NY.
1928 – The fully automatic, film-developing machine was patented by A.M. Josepho.
1929 – Popeye the Sailor Man, a cartoon character created by Elzie Segar, first appeared in the Thimble Theatre comic strip.
1934 – Ferdinand Porsche submitted a design for a people’s car, a “Volkswagen,” to the new German Reich government.
1949 – “The Goldbergs”, the first sitcom on American television, debuted.
1950 – Eleven thieves stole more than $2 million from the Brinks armored car company’s offices in Boston, MA.
1966 – NBC ordered 32 episodes of “The Monkees” for its upcoming fall television schedule.
1966 – A B-52 carrying four H-bombs collided with a refuelling tanker over Spain. Three 70-kiloton nuclear bombs were released near the town of Palomares and another one into the sea. Seven airmen were killed.
1972 – Highway 51 South in Memphis, TN, was renamed Elvis Presley Blvd.
1975 – First Lake Michigan crossing by a hot air balloon (from Wheeling, IL to South Haven, MI).
1977 – Double murderer Gary Gilmore became the first to be executed in the U.S. in a decade. The firing squad took place at Utah State Prison.
1983 – The tallest department store in the world, Hudson’s flagship store in downtown Detroit, closed due to high cost of operating.
1985 – Leonard Nimoy received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1991 – Operation Desert Storm began early in the morning. Iraq fired 8 scud missles into Israel in an unsuccessful bid to provoke Israeli retaliation.
1994 – The Northridge earthquake rocked Los Angeles, CA, registering 6.7 on the Richter Scale, killing at least 61 people and causing about $20 billion in damage.
1994 – Donny Osmond fought Danny Bonaduce from TV’s “The Partridge Family” in a charity boxing match in Chicago, IL. Bonaduce won a split decision.
1996 – Pink Floyd was officially inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
1997 – The movie “Beverly Hills Ninja”, starring Chris Farley, premiered in theaters. It would be the last of his films to be released while he was still alive.
1998 – President Bill Clinton gave his deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit against him. He was the first President to testify as a defendant in a criminal or civil lawsuit while in office.
1998 – Matt Drudge broke the story of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair on his website thedrudgereport.com.
2000 – British pharmaceutical companies Glaxo Wellcome PLC and SmithKline Beecham PLC agreed to a merger that created the world’s largest drug maker.
2006 – The fifth season premiere of TV’s “American Idol” was the show’s highest rated episode ever.
2013 – Former cyclist Lance Armstrong confessed to his doping on “Oprah’s Next Chapter.”
BIRTHDAYS:
Douglas Wilder – 95 years old (1931) – Sergeant and politician, 66th Governor of Virginia
Maury Povich – 87 years old (1939) – Talk show host and producer
Chris Montez – 83 years old (1943) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Jane Elliot – 79 years old (1947) – Actress
Luis López Nieves – 76 years old (1950) – Puerto Rican-American author and academic
Jeff Berlin – 73 years old (1953) – Bass player and educator
Carlos Johnson – 73 years old (1953) – Singer and guitarist
Robert F. Kennedy – 72 years old (1954) – Jr. , American environmental lawyer, writer, and conspiracy theorist
Steve Earle – 71 years old (1955) – Singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, author and actor
Steve Javie – 71 years old (1955) – Basketball player and referee
Steve Harvey – 69 years old (1957) – Actor, comedian, television personality and game show host
Ann Nocenti – 69 years old (1957) – Journalist and author
Susanna Hoffs – 67 years old (1959) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actress
John Crawford – 66 years old (1960) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Chili Davis – 66 years old (1960) – Jamaican-American baseball player and coach
Brian Helgeland – 65 years old (1961) – Director, producer, and screenwriter
Jim Carrey – 64 years old (1962) – Canadian-American actor, comedian, and producer
Sebastian Junger – 64 years old (1962) – Journalist and author
Denis O'Hare – 64 years old (1962) – Actor and singer
Michelle Obama – 62 years old (1964) – Lawyer and activist, 44th First Lady of the United States
Joshua Malina – 60 years old (1966) – Actor
Jeremy Roenick – 56 years old (1970) – Ice hockey player and actor
Genndy Tartakovsky – 56 years old (1970) – Russian-American animator, director, and producer
Kid Rock – 55 years old (1971) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actor
Derrick Mason – 52 years old (1974) – Football player
Freddy Rodriguez – 51 years old (1975) – Actor
Maksim Chmerkovskiy – 46 years old (1980) – Ukrainian-American dancer and choreographer
Zooey Deschanel – 46 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter and actress
Ray J – 45 years old (1981) – Singer, actor, and television personality
Dwyane Wade – 44 years old (1982) – Basketball player
Dexter Lumis – 42 years old (1984) – Wrestler
Cody Decker – 39 years old (1987) – Baseball player
Earl Clark – 38 years old (1988) – Basketball player
Jonathan Keltz – 38 years old (1988) – Actor
Taylor Jordan – 37 years old (1989) – Baseball player
Kelly Marie Tran – 37 years old (1989) – Actress
Tyler Zeller – 36 years old (1990) – Basketball player
Trevor Bauer – 35 years old (1991) – Baseball player
Willa Fitzgerald – 35 years old (1991) – Actress
Alise Post – 35 years old (1991) – BMX rider
Lucy Boynton – 32 years old (1994) – American-English actress
Indya Moore – 31 years old (1995) – Actor and model
Allonzo Trier – 30 years old (1996) – Basketball player
Jake Paul – 29 years old (1997) – Boxer, actor, rapper, and social media personality
Kyle Tucker – 29 years old (1997) – Baseball player
Isa Briones – 27 years old (1999) – Actor and singer
Ayo Dosunmu – 26 years old (2000) – Basketball player
Samuel – 24 years old (2002) – Singer based in South Korea
TODAY IS:
- National Tulip Day: National Tulip Day marks a vibrant celebration of color and beauty. It's when the stunning tulip, a symbol of the Netherlands, takes center stage. City squares burst with thousands of these vibrant flowers, creating a visual feast that draws crowds. This event turns even the coldest winter day into a...
- National Kid Inventors’ Day: These young minds are like mini scientists, creating ingenious solutions to everyday problems with their boundless curiosity and creativity.
- Benjamin Franklin Day: A polymath with many talents, from inventing to writing, Franklin's contribution to American history will never be forgotten.
- Soup Swap Day: There's nothing better than a warm bowl of homemade soup on a chilly day! Swap your soup with friends for a fun way to mix up your meals.
- International Mentoring Day: The world today seems to be more isolated than ever before and in many cases generations are deeply separated from one another. But there’s so much to learn from someone who is just slightly ahead on the road of life! This event brings to the fore the important concept of...
- National Hot Buttered Rum Day: A classic drink featuring a steaming mug, spiced and rich, offering pure comfort with each delightful, warming sip.
- National Use Your Gift Card Day: Don't let those gift cards go to waste — treat yourself to something special, try a new restaurant or shop.
- Art’s Birthday: Honoring the timeless creative spirit, embracing the birth of artistic expression that transcends eras and cultures.
- National Classy Day: Graceful sophistication effortlessly exudes from refined choices, creating an aura that captivates and inspires those around.
- National Bootlegger’s Day: The delicious art of making and selling illegal liquor during Prohibition — a story of speakeasies, gangsters, and daring drinkers.
- National Hot Heads Chili Day: National Hot Heads Chili Day celebrates the bold flavors of chili peppers. On this day, spice lovers dive into dishes that bring the heat. From mild jalapeños to fiery habaneros, there's a pepper for every palate. People across the country enjoy spicy meals, participate in chili cook-offs, and even test...
- Cable Car Day: Hop on board the charming rides gliding through the city streets, offering a whimsical journey with breathtaking views and a touch of vintage charm!
- Popeye Day: The beloved spinach scarfing cartoon character who has entertained generations with his wacky adventures and catchy catchphrases.
- National No Phones at Home Day: Disconnecting from screens, it's like hitting the refresh button for your mind, offering a break from the digital noise of today.
- Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day: Embrace the freedom of spontaneity and letting those well-intentioned plans take a back seat to life's delightful surprises.
- International We Are Not Broken Day: Aiming to change the narrative that has been told about scars being ugly, We Are Not Broken Day works to bring people from all over the world together to honor their wounds and share their scars as they share their healing. History of International We Are Not Broken Day International We...
- National Lose the Jet Lag Day: National Lose the Jet Lag Day draws attention to the fatigue and disorientation that often follow long-distance flights. Jet lag can leave travelers feeling groggy, unfocused, and out of sync with their surroundings. This day encourages people to learn about the science behind jet lag and discover ways to adjust more...
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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.

