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 a old (1935) – Singer (“Blue Velvet”)

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

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

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

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

Ellen Barkin – 71 a 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 a old (1963) – Singer (The Osmonds), the youngest Osmond

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

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

Martin Lawrence – 60 a 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 a old (1971) – Actor (Played Ralphie in “A Christmas Story”)

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

TODAY IS:

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 struggles...
Selena Day: Selena Day honors the life, voice, and lasting cultural spark of Selena Quintanilla, the artist widely celebrated as the Queen of Tejano music. It is a day for turning up the volume, sharing stories, and appreciating how one performer’s charisma and craft helped reshape what mainstream audiences expected from Latin...
National Healthcare Decisions Day: National Healthcare Decisions Day is an important event that encourages people to discuss and document their healthcare wishes. At its core, the day is about clarity. Medical emergencies can arrive with zero warning, and serious illness can make it hard to speak up in the moment. National Healthcare Decisions Day invites...
Blue Umbrella Day: Blue Umbrella Day marks a global effort to focus attention on safeguarding boys and young men from sexual violence. This awareness moment brings together people who care and fosters open conversation. It highlights that boys also face abuse and deserve strong support. It invites listeners everywhere to join a movement...
National Orchid Day: With their intricate blooms, orchids bring beauty and elegance to any setting, making them a versatile addition to any collection.
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 everyone else. Accountants, bookkeepers, payroll specialists, auditors, and other finance pros spend long hours making sure everything adds up, lines up, and lands in the right place. When the rest...
College Student Grief Awareness Day: With 1 in 3 college students grieving the loss of a loved one, it’s important to acknowledge and aid those who might be struggling invisibly on college campuses.
National D.A.R.E. Day: D.A.R.E is “Drug Abuse Resistance Education”, and aims to steer kids away from drugs through community engagement and education, typically at schools.
Teach Your Daughter to Volunteer Day: Teach Your Daughter to Volunteer Day encourages families to invite girls into real-world kindness, not as a one-time good deed, but as a skill that grows with practice. It spotlights the simple idea that service is something people learn by doing, and that kids absorb values best when they see...
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 High Five Day: Give a high five to everyone, and let them know their accomplishments don’t go unnoticed. Whether your friend got a promotion or made a basket—high five!
American Immigration Lawyers Association Day of Action: The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Day of Action is a yearly event where immigration lawyers from across the United States come together to advocate for fair and effective immigration policies. They meet with lawmakers to discuss the challenges within the current immigration system and propose practical solutions. This gathering...
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.
National Reveal the Genius Within Day: National Reveal the Genius Within Day invites everyone to tap into their own spark. This event focuses on celebrating people who dare to share fresh thoughts. Attendees speak, listen, and connect in spaces that breathe life into ideas. That buzz of creativity spreads fast and pulls others into genuine conversation. Each...
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 more...
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.
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...
National Librarian Day: These knowledgeable folks are book lovers and experts in finding information. They love helping patrons and keeping the library organized.
Day of the Mushroom: Day of the Mushroom celebrates the wide world of edible fungi, from tiny buttons to bold portabellas. It’s a chance to enjoy their rich flavors and learn fun facts, like how mushrooms breathe oxygen and offer a solid dose of nutrients. The day pulls in cooks, food lovers, and curious...
Edinburgh Science Festival: The Edinburgh Science Festival transforms the Scottish capital into a hub buzzing with scientific discovery and innovation for two weeks every year. This event is among Europe's largest science festivals. The event for science lovers offers a unique blend of education, entertainment, and exploration for the thousands who attend it. History...
National Dog Bite Prevention Week: It is hard to think something as loyal as a dog could ever harm someone. But even the sweetest pup may react when afraid or stressed. National Dog Bite Prevention Week brings this truth into focus. It reminds people that bites often come from everyday situations—startling a dog, grabbing its toy...
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...
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...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
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...
Week of the Young Child: The Week of the Young Child celebrates children and the adults who help them grow. It brings energy into classrooms, homes, and neighborhoods with joyful activities that spark learning. One day might focus on music, while another encourages building, cooking, or storytelling. Each moment invites kids to move, create, and...
Global Days of Action on Military Spending: The Global Days of Action on Military Spending is a lively global campaign that invites people everywhere to rethink how public funds are used. It urges governments to shift resources from arms to real security, like health, education, and clean energy. When new military spending data arrives, advocates use the moment...
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...
Cambodian New Year: Cambodian New Year, also known as Khmer New Year or Chol Chnam Thmay, is a lively and colorful celebration marking the end of the harvest season and the start of a new year. It's a time for family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and community festivities. The holiday is crucial for Cambodian...
Cartagena Film Festival: The Cartagena Film Festival shines as a vibrant celebration of cinema. It attracts filmmakers and movie lovers from all corners of the world and transforms Cartagena into a lively hub where stories come alive on screen. Films from various genres and countries are showcased, offering a diverse mix that keeps...
Hate Week: Hate Week acts as a mass event in George Orwell’s novel 1984. Citizens gather for parades, rallies, and propaganda shows. Party speakers whip crowds into fierce emotion. They scream slogans and chant new songs. That energy binds them together. It channels collective anger toward whichever enemy the state targets. A sudden...
Canada Reads: Canada Reads is a lively and engaging literary event that captures the nation's attention. It brings together readers, authors, and celebrities to champion the best Canadian books. This annual competition pits five books against each other, each defended by a well-known Canadian. The goal is simple: to choose a book...
International Dark Sky Week: Recognizing that the prolific use of lighting has brought some severe problems to the modern world, International Dark Sky Week seeks to bring health and healing back to the world! How to Celebrate International Dark Sky Week Experience the Dark Night Sky One of the most ideal things to do during International...