April 12

Scott Winters April 12, 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:

1833 – Charles Gaylor patented the fireproof safe.

1861 – The Civil War began as Confederate soldiers fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina’s harbor.

1877 – A catcher’s mask was used in a baseball game for the first time by James Alexander Tyng.

1892 – Voters in Lockport, NY, became the first in the U.S. to use voting machines.

1892 – A patent was issued for the first portable typewriter.

1934 – The strongest surface wind gust in the world at 231 mph, was measured on the summit of Mount Washington, NH. It is still the highest wind ever recorded in the U.S..

1938 – The first U.S. law requiring a medical test for a marriage license was enacted in New York.

1945 – In New York, NY, the organization of the first eye bank, the Eye Bank for Sight Restoration, was announced.

1945 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt died in Warm Spring, GA of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 63. Harry S. Truman was sworn in as the 33rd President.

1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets recorded the song “Rock Around the Clock” in New York, NY. Unsuccessful at first, the recording would help launch the rock and roll revolution the following year.

1955 – The University of Michigan Polio Vaccine Evaluation Center announced that the polio vaccine of Dr. Jonas Salk was “safe, effective and potent”.

1961 – Soviet Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin became first man to orbit the Earth.

1966 – Jan Berry (Jan & Dean) crashed his car near “Dead Man’s Curve” in Beverly Hills, CA. He suffered severe head injuries and was in a coma for nearly two months.

1981 – The Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-1) blasted off from Cape Canaveral, FL, on its first test flight.

1983 – Harold Washington was elected the first black mayor of Chicago, IL.

1984 – Astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger made the first satellite repair in orbit by returning the Solar Max satellite to space.

1985 – U.S. Senator Jake Garn of Utah became the first (but not the last) Senator to fly in space as the Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Cape Canaveral, FL.

1985 – Federal inspectors declared that four animals of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus were not unicorns. They were goats with horns that had been surgically implanted.

1985 – USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” album is released.

1987 – Texaco filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy after it failed to settle a legal dispute with Pennzoil Co.

1988 – Sonny Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, CA.

1988 – Harvard University won a patent for a genetically altered mouse. It was the first patent for a life form.

1990 – James Brown was released from a South Carolina jail on work furlough after serving 15 months of a six-year sentence for aggravated assault.

1992 – The Euro Disney Resort officially opened with its theme park Euro Disneyland in Marne-La-Vallee, France. The resort and its park’s name were subsequently changed to Disneyland Paris.

1994 – The West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team played their first game at Old Kent Park (now LMCU Ballpark) in Comstock Park, MI.

1999 – District Judge Susan Webber Wright found President Bill Clinton in contempt of court for giving “intentionally false statements” about his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky in connection with a lawsuit filed by Paula Jones.

2000 – The dangerous stunt-filled television show “Jackass” debuted on MTV.

2002 – Ozzy Osbourne received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2006 – West Michigan radio legend Bruce Grant did his final interview on “The Rick and Scott Show” on WOOD Radio. Read more and listen to the interview here.

2007 – The U.S. Post Office started to sell the “forever” stamp.

2007 – After charges against three former Duke lacrosse players were officially dropped, Durham, NC district attorney Mike Nifong issued an apology to the players for their wrongful prosecution.

2009 – Navy Seal snipers killed three Somali pirates to end a five day standoff on an American shipping vessel in the Indian Ocean. The incident was later dramatized in the movie “Captain Phillips”, starring Tom Hanks.

2012 – The game “Candy Crush Saga” was released on Facebook.

BIRTHDAYS:

Herbie Hancock – 85 years old (1940) – Jazz/fusion musician, composer

John Kay – 81 years old (1944) – Singer, guitarist (Steppenwolf)

Ed O’Neill – 79 years old (1946) – Actor (TV’s “Modern Family”, “Married….with Children”, movies “Wayne’s World”)

Alex Briley – 78 years old (1947) – Singer (The Village People)

Dan Lauria – 78 years old (1947) – Actor (TV’s “The Wonder Years”, “Stakeout”)

David Letterman – 78 years old (1947) – TV host, comedian (TV’s “Late Night With David Letterman”)

Scott Turow – 76 years old (1949) – Author (“Presumed Innocent”, “The Burden of Proof”)

Pat Travers – 71 years old (1954) – Singer

Andy Garcia – 69 years old (1956) – Actor (“When a Man Loves a Woman”, “The Untouchables”, “The Godfather: Part 3”, “Internal Affairs”, “Oceans 11”, “Oceans 12”)

Vince Gill – 68 years old (1957) – Musician, singer

Art Alexakis – 63 years old (1962) – Singer, guitarist (Everclear)

Amy Ray – 61 years old (1964) – Singer, musician (Indigo Girls)

Nicholas Brendon – 54 years old (1971) – Actor (TV’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Criminal Minds”)

Guy Berryman – 47 years old (1978) – Bassist (Coldplay)

Claire Danes – 46 years old (1979) – Actress (TV’s “Little Women”, “Law & Order”, “My So-Called Life”, “Homeland”, movies “Shopgirl”, “Brokedown Palace”, “Mod Squad”, “Romeo and Juliet”)

Jennifer Morrison – 46 years old (1979) – Actress (TV’s “House”, “Once Upon a Time”)

Brooklyn Decker – 38 years old (1987) – Model, actress (“Just Go with It”, “Battleship”, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”)

Saoirse Ronan – 31 years old (1994) – Actress (“Atonement,” “The 16 Lovely Bones”, “Brooklyn”, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, “The Host”, “Hanna”)

TODAY IS:

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day: Melty and hot, cheesy and greasy…show your love for one of mankind’s tastiest inventions. Try tossing a tomato in it; that makes it healthy, right?
National Licorice Day: It comes in many flavors and many forms, from ropes of candy to soothing teas, so give a new flavor or type of licorice a try on National Licorice Day.
St. Lazarus Day: St. Lazarus Day is a deeply significant event in the Christian tradition, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It commemorates the miraculous moment when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, showcasing the divine power over death itself. How to Celebrate St. Lazarus Day Celebrating St. Lazarus Day offers a chance to...
Yuri’s Night: The first person to orbit the Earth, this trailblazer showed us the potential of humanity's spirit and our drive to explore the unknown.
World Hamster Day: Show your pet hamster how much you love them with a special treat and some extra attention; if you’re able, consider adopting a little friend of your own.
National Catch and Release Day: Imagine a bright, sunny morning by a crystal-clear river. Anglers gather, rods in hand, ready to cast their lines. It's National Catch and Release Day, and the air buzzes with excitement. Families and friends, from beginners to seasoned pros, share tips and tricks for a successful catch. Everyone is eager...
International Day for Street Children: Each year on this day, people all around the world come together to observe the International Day for Street Children. This special day highlights the lives and rights of millions of children who rely on the streets for their survival. The aim is to make sure that their rights and...
Deskfast Day: Desk + Breakfast = Deskfast: surprisingly, people tend to make healthier choices when eating at their desk than eating at home. Why not give it a try?
National Big Wind Day: Nature's powerful gusts, bending trees and stirring the world, an awe-inspiring force reminding us of Earth's untamed might.
Walk On Your Wild Side Day: Toss caution to the wind and don’t let social norms, insecurity, and fear hold you back from doing the things you want to do on Walk On Your Wild Side Day.
D.E.A.R. Day: D.E.A.R. Day stands for "Drop Everything and Read." It is a special time when everyone pauses their busy day just to read. Schools, families, and even entire communities join together to honor the joy of reading. No matter your age, grabbing a book and diving into a story becomes the...
Wear a Star Day: Wear a Star Day is when people wear a star on their clothing to quietly honor children who are no longer here. Some were lost during pregnancy, others shortly after birth, and some in early childhood. Each star represents a name, a face, and a family that misses someone deeply...
Halifax Day: Halifax Day marks a bold step taken by North Carolina during the American Revolution. In the town of Halifax, leaders gathered and made a clear decision: they wanted independence from British rule. This move was the first official call by any colony to break away. It showed determination and a...
Slow Art Day: Did you know that most people spend less than 30 seconds looking at a piece of art? Slow Art Day invites us to change that. This global event encourages visitors to slow down and spend more time with each artwork. Instead of rushing through galleries, participants are guided to observe...
National Only Child Day: Unique individuals, navigating life's journey without siblings, embracing independence and forming distinctive perspectives along the way.
National For Twelves Day: Sometimes symbolizing completeness, this number seamlessly weaves significance into humankind's daily rhythm.
National Library Week: Silent realms of knowledge, these havens harbor stories and wisdom, inviting exploration beyond the whispers of time.
Discover National Parks Fortnight: Discover National Parks Fortnight invites everyone to join in on an adventure - exploring the stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of national parks. This fantastic outdoor-themed event spans two weeks each year. This period is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors and appreciate the environmental treasures within...
Community Garden Week: Community Garden Week comes around each year vibrant spring flowers begin to light up the landscape. This special week-long observation highlights the many worthy community and school gardens that dot our landscapes. These gardening efforts do more than add beauty (although they undoubtedly do!). Indeed, they serve as hubs for...
Bee Active Bee Healthy Bee Happy Week: "Bee Active Bee Healthy Bee Happy Week is so much more than just a catchphrase. Indeed, it is a call to action. This week, founded by The Running Bee Foundation in Manchester, United Kingdom, is an effort to help reduce childhood obesity. Their goal is to help children learn the...
Passover Begins: Among the most solemn and meaningful observances in the Jewish calendar, Passover marks the beginning of an eight-day journey. This holiday, known as Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. The term "Passover" refers to the divine act of sparing the Israelites during the final plague...
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
The Masters Tournament: Golf's elite gather, showcasing unparalleled skill and sportsmanship in a prestigious event that captivates fans worldwide.
Blue Ribbon Week: Blue Ribbon Week is a time dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse, symbolized by the blue ribbon. Across communities, people come together to support efforts that protect children from harm. During this week, the focus shifts to understanding the serious impact of abuse and neglect, which often goes unnoticed...
World Music Therapy Week: Helping people of all ages accomplish individualized goals, music therapy is a healthcare process that can take all sorts of forms based on the needs of the client. Approaches might include making music, listening to music, writing songs, improvisation, group discussion, or even meditation. Trained therapists use different forms of...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
National Public Health Week: The well-being of communities — disease prevention, and better living through knowledge and action, towards a healthier world.