April 16

Scott Winters April 16, 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:

1818 – The U.S. Senate ratified Rush-Bagot amendment to form an unarmed U.S.-Canada border.

1889 – U.S. Patent Number 432,728 was issued for the air-conditioned hat. It was a hat with a wind-up exhaust fan at the back. The fan pulled air in through vents in the front and top of the hat.

1895 – Detroit’s baseball club was called the “Tigers” for the first time in an article by Phil Reed in the Detroit Free Press.

1900 – The first book of postage stamps was issued. The two-cent stamps were available in books of 12, 24 and 48 stamps.

1905 – Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000,000 of personal money to set up the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

1922 – Annie Oakley shot 100 clay targets in a row, to set a women’s record.

1940 – The first no-hit, no-run game to be thrown on an opening day of the major league baseball season was earned by Bob Feller. The Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0.

1943 – In Basel, Switzerland, chemist Albert Hoffman accidentally discovered the the hallucinogenic effects of LSD-25 while working on the medicinal value of lysergic acid.

1947 – An explosion on board a freighter in port caused the city of Texas City, TX to catch fire. The blaze killed almost 600 people.

1947 – The Zoomar lens, invented by Dr. Frank Back, was demonstrated in New York, NY. It was the first lens to exhibit zooming effects.

1962 – Walter Cronkite began anchoring TV’s “The CBS Evening News”.

1966 – Sherman Poppen of Muskegon, MI was issued a patent for a “surf-type snow ski”. He called the sport toy a “snurfer”. He sold the idea to Brunswick Corp and it was sold beginning Christmas of 1966. It is considered to be the original snowboard.

1968 – The Pentagon announced that troops would begin coming home from Vietnam.

1968 – Major league baseball’s longest night game was played when the Houston Astros defeated the New York Mets 1-0. The 24 innings took six hours, six minutes to play.

1972 – Apollo 16 blasted off from Cape Canaveral, FL, on a voyage to the Moon. It was the fifth manned Moon landing.

1972 – Two giants pandas, named Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, arrived in the U.S. from China. They would reside at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

1985 – Mickey Mantle was reinstated after being banned from baseball for several years.

1987 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sternly warned U.S. radio stations to watch the use of indecent language on the airwaves.

1987 – The U.S. Patent Office began allowing the patenting of new animals created by genetic engineering.

1990 – Dr. Jack Kevorkian participated in his first assisted suicide.

1993 – Two of the four Los Angeles, CA police officers charged with violating Rodney King’s rights are convicted. The other two are acquitted.

1994 – Minnie Pearl and her $1.98 hat entered the National Comedy Hall of Fame. She was the very first female inductee.

1999 – Wayne Gretzky announced his retirement from the National Hockey League.

2001 – A British TV game show called “You Are the Weakest Link” debuted in the U.S.

2007 – In Blacksburg, VA, a student opens fire on the campus of Virginia Tech University, killing 32 and injuring at least 28 people before committing suicide. The gunman is later identified as Cho SeungHui, a student at the school.

BIRTHDAYS:

Bobby Vinton – 90 years old (1935) – Singer (“Blue Velvet”)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 78 years old (1947) – Basketball player, actor (“Airplane!”)

Bill Belichick – 73 years old (1952) – NFL Coach (New England Patriots)

Peter Garrett – 72 years old (1953) – Singer (Midnight Oil)

Jay O. Sanders – 72 years old (1953) – Actor (“The Day After Tomorrow”, “Green Lantern”, “Glory”, “JFK”, “Angels in the Outfield”, “Half Nelson”, “Revolutionary Road”)

Ellen Barkin – 71 years old (1954) – Actress (“Eddie and the Cruisers”, “Tender Mercies”, “Sea of Love”, “Ocean’s 13”, “This Boy’s Life”, TV’s “The New Normal”)

Jimmy Osmond – 62 years old (1963) – Singer (The Osmonds), the youngest Osmond

David Pirner – 61 years old (1964) – Lead Vocalist (Soul Asylum)

Jon Cryer – 60 years old (1965) – Actor (“Superman 4: The Quest for Peace”, “Pretty in Pink”, TV’s “Two and a Half Men”)

Martin Lawrence – 60 years old (1965) – Actor, comedian (TV’s “Martin”, movies “Death at a Funeral”, “Wild Hogs”, “National Security”, “Bad Boys”, “Big Momma’s House” and sequels)

Peter Billingsley – 54 years old (1971) – Actor (Played Ralphie in “A Christmas Story”)

Lukas Haas – 49 years old (1976) – Actor (“Lady in White”, “Solarbabies”, “Music Box”)

TODAY IS:

National Librarian Day: These knowledgeable folks are book lovers and experts in finding information. They love helping patrons and keeping the library organized.
National Banana Day: Orange you glad I didn’t say banana? Enjoy some banana based treat like banana bread, a banana split, or even banana punch, and tell some terrible jokes.
National Eggs Benedict Day: Enjoy some crunchy English muffins, perfectly poached eggs, and the one-of-a-kind savory Hollandaise sauce for breakfast on National Eggs Benedict Day.
Selena Day: Selena Day brings joy and remembrance on April 16 each year, honoring the Queen of Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla. This day is a special tribute to her remarkable influence on music and culture. Fans around the world celebrate by playing her unforgettable hits, reflecting on her legacy, and embracing the...
Save The Elephant Day: Volunteer or donate to Save an Elephant, and help preserve these majestic, intelligent, and of course giant threatened creatures that shape our ecosystems.
Canadian Film Day: Canadian Film Day is a vibrant celebration of the nation’s rich cinematic culture. It spotlights the creativity and talent of Canadian filmmakers and offers audiences a chance to explore a diverse array of stories and voices. This special day highlights the unique perspectives that Canadian films bring to the global...
National Healthcare Decisions Day: National Healthcare Decisions Day is an important event that encourages people to discuss and document their healthcare wishes. This day highlights the need for advance care planning, ensuring that individuals' preferences for medical treatment are familiar to everyone involved. This practice often reduces the stress and uncertainty that often accompany...
National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day: Slacks are out, PJs are in. Save a little time in the morning and roll into work feeling cozy and comfortable on National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day.
National Bean Counter Day: Numbers don’t crunch themselves, and National Bean Counter Day is a lighthearted nod to the people who do it for us. Accountants, bookkeepers, and financial pros spend long hours making sure everything adds up. Whether balancing business budgets or handling personal taxes, they keep finances running smoothly. Without them, chaos...
National Orchid Day: With their intricate blooms, orchids bring beauty and elegance to any setting, making them a versatile addition to any collection.
Youth Homelessness Matters Day: Youth Homelessness Matters Day draws attention to something often overlooked—young people without a stable place to live. Many face uncertain nights, staying with friends, in shelters, or in places not meant for living. This day speaks up for them, reminding us that they deserve more than just getting by. They...
World Semicolon Day: Sometimes, a tiny mark can carry a huge message. That’s the idea behind World Semicolon Day. Instead of ending a sentence, a semicolon lets it keep going, just like people do after tough times. The day uses this symbol to highlight the strength it takes to live with mental health...
World Voice Day: Did you know there's a special day that celebrates the power of your voice? World Voice Day shines a spotlight on the incredible role our voices play in daily life. Whether you're chatting with friends, singing in the shower, or giving a presentation, your voice helps you connect and express...
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...
Orthodox Holy Week: Orthodox Holy Week is a deep and meaningful journey leading up to Easter, which celebrates Christ's resurrection. This sacred week starts with Palm Sunday, marking Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, greeted as a king. Each day then carries unique themes and moments of reflection. Early in the week, the parable of...
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...
Semana Santa: Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a profound time of reflection and devotion in many Christian communities. Streets come alive with solemn processions, participants carry religious icons, and traditional music fills the air. This period focuses on the final days of Jesus Christ, drawing believers together in shared faith and contemplation...
Money Smart Week: Being smart with money isn't just about saving; it's also about making informed decisions and enjoying the process. Money Smart Week offers the perfect opportunity to dive into financial literacy and reconsider financial habits. In its essence, Money Smart Week is a lively event held annually to boost financial literacy...
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...
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: From 9-1-1 emergency call operators and alarm systems to answering other non-emergency forms of communication such as texts, emails and social media contacts, public safety telecommunicators have a lot on the line every day when they show up for work! As technology rapidly advances and evolves, so do the opportunities for...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.