April 21

Scott Winters April 21, 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:

1789 – John Adams was sworn in as the first U.S. Vice President.

1850 – Grand Rapids, MI was incorporated as a city (it became a village back in April 1838).

1856 – The Mississippi River was crossed by a rail train for the first time (between Davenport, IA, and Rock Island, IL).

1862 – Congress established the U.S. Mint in Denver, CO.

1865 – President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train left Washington, DC.

1892 – The first Buffalo was born in Golden Gate Park.

1895 – Woodville Latham and his sons demonstrated their Panopticon. It was the first movie projector developed in the United States.

1898 – The Spanish-American War began.

1918 – German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, “The Red Baron,” was shot down and killed during World War I.

1928 – First U.S. Aircraft show featuring 63 different planes shown by 40 manufacturers in Detroit, MI.

1934 – The “Surgeon’s Photograph”, the most famous photo allegedly showing the Loch Ness Monster, was published in the Daily Mail. In 1999, it is revealed to be a hoax.

1952 – Secretary’s Day (now Administrative Professionals’ Day) was first celebrated.

1959 – Alf Dean caught a 16-foot, 10-inch white shark that weighed 2,664 pounds. At the time it was the largest catch with a rod and reel.

1960 – Dick Clark testified before a congressional committee investigating payola. He admitted that he had a financial interest in 27 percent of the records he played on his show in a period of 28 months.

1962 – The Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opened. It was the first World’s Fair in the U.S. since World War II.

1965 – The 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair opened for its second and final season.

1972 – Apollo 16 astronauts John Young and Charles Duke explored the surface of the moon.

1982 – Rollie Fingers, of the Milwaukee Brewers, became the first pitcher to record 300 saves.

1984 – In France, it was announced that doctors had found virus believed to cause AIDS.

1986 – Geraldo Rivera opened a vault that belonged to Al Capone at the Lexington Hotel in Chicago, IL. Except for a few empty beer bottles, the vault was empty.

1987 – Special occasion stamps were offered for the first time by the Postal Service. “Happy Birthday” and “Get Well” were among the first to be offered.

1989 – The movie “Field of Dreams” premiered in theaters. The film starred Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster (in his final role).

1989 – The Game Boy handheld video game device was released in Japan.

1996 – Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls set an NBA record by winning their 72nd game in a season.

1998 – Astronomers announced in Washington that they had discovered possible signs of a new family of planets orbiting a star 220 light-years away.

1998 – While Bill Gates was demonstrating his new Window 98 computer operating system to a convention group in Chicago, IL, the software crashed.

2000 – North Carolina researchers announced that the heart of a 66 million-year-old dinosaur was more like a mammal or bird than that of a reptile.

2000 – The 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act went into effect.

2009 – UNESCO launched The World Digital Library. The World Digital Library (WDL) is an international digital library operated by UNESCO and the United States Library of Congress.

2014 – Flint, MI switched their water source to the Flint River, beginning the ongoing Flint water crisis which has caused lead poisoning in up to 12,000 people, and 15 deaths from Legionnaires disease, ultimately leading to criminal indictments against 15 people, five of whom have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

BIRTHDAYS:

Elaine May – 93 years old (1932) – Actress, comedienne (“Heaven Can Wait”, “Primary Colors”, “A New Leaf”, “The Heartbreak Kid”, “Mikey and Nicky”)

Iggy Pop – 78 years old (1947) – Singer, songwriter (Psychedelic Stooges). Born in Muskegon, MI.

Patti LuPone – 76 years old (1949) – Actress (“Evita”, “Driving Miss Daisy”)

Tony Danza – 74 years old (1951) – Actor (TV’s “Who’s the Boss,” “Taxi,” movie “Angels in the Outfield”)

Andie MacDowell – 67 years old (1958) – Actress (“Groundhog Day”, “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, “Sex, Lies, and Videotape”, TV’s “Cedar Grove”)

Robert Smith – 66 years old (1959) – Lead singer/guitarist (The Cure)

John Cameron Mitchell – 62 years old (1963) – Actor, director (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”)

Glen Hansard – 55 years old (1970) – Singer, actor (“The Commitments”, “Once”)

Nicole Sullivan – 55 years old (1970) – Actress, comedian (TV’s “MadTV,” “King of Queens”)

James McAvoy – 46 years old (1979) – Actor (“X-Men” series, “Atonement”, “The Last King of Scotland”, “Victor Frankenstein”)

Tony Romo – 45 years old (1980) – Football player

Robbie Amell – 37 years old (1988) – Actor (“True Jackson”, “The Tomorrow People”)

TODAY IS:

Keep Off the Grass Day: Keep Off the Grass Day is a lively reminder to appreciate and protect our green spaces. This day highlights the importance of lawns and encourages everyone to stay off the grass to let it thrive. How to Celebrate Keep Off the Grass Day Keep Off the Grass Day encourages everyone...
National Tea Day: Just because we dumped all that tea in the harbor, doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy the relaxing, warm drink. Visit a Fest-Tea-Val, or simply enjoy a steaming mug of tea.
White House Easter Egg Roll: The White House Easter Egg Roll is a long-standing and cherished Easter Monday tradition for adults and children alike. This annual event is full of history and festivity. It’s a day when the President’s staff invites families from around the United States to participate in an egg-rolling race. The atmosphere...
World Creativity and Innovation Day: View the world in a different way on World Creativity and Innovation Day, by thinking about creative solutions to a problem or engaging with other thinkers and creators.
National Kindergarten Day: Join your child at kindergarten by volunteering and engaging with kids of this adorable age. Don’t have kids? Let your inner kid out by having a snack taking a nap.
Egyptian National Food Day: Egyptian National Food Day celebrates the rich flavors and traditions of Egypt's diverse cuisine. It's a day when Egyptians unite over their love for dishes that have been passed down through generations. Whether it's the hearty koshari, fragrant molokhia, or sweet basbousa, this day highlights the foods that bring families...
International Loch Ness Monster Day: The modern legend of the Loch Ness monster, known by Scottish locals as “Nessie”, has been described as a shy, quiet creature who might have surprised or frightened folks but who has never harmed anyone. Other tales, however, have placed Nessie as an enormous nuisance, “rolling and plunging” along the...
National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day: Everyone knows about chocolate covered peanuts, but surely the creamy sweetness of the cashew makes the ideal nut base for this chocolatey treat.
National Surprise Drug Test Day: National Surprise Drug Test Day is a unique observance that adds an element of suspense to everyday life. On this day, many workplaces conduct unannounced drug tests to promote a drug-free environment. The surprise aspect keeps employees vigilant, ensuring they adhere to company policies regarding drug use. This practice not...
Big Word Day: Elevating language with substantial expressions, conveying ideas with impactful verbiage for enriched communication and comprehension.
National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day: Shower your bulldog with love and affection, meet other bulldog owners, and post pictures of your best friend to prove to everyone that Bulldogs are Beautiful.
National Rendering Day: National Rendering Day shines a light on an industry that often goes unnoticed but plays a big role in sustainability. Instead of letting leftover animal materials and used cooking oil go to waste, rendering turns them into useful products. These byproducts become pet food, renewable fuels, and even ingredients for...
National Yellow Bat Day: Responsible for analyzing intercepted communications, this intelligence unit supported US Army operations during the Vietnam conflict.
World Curlew Day: Graceful shorebirds, facing threats, symbolize the delicate balance of ecosystems, urging awareness for their preservation and conservation.
Easter Monday: Easter Monday is the perfect time to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. Enjoy a leisurely brunch, hunt for hidden Easter eggs, or take a leisurely stroll in the sunshine.
Tiradentes Day: Tiradentes Day is a special time in Brazil to honor the memory of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, a figure who symbolized the struggle against colonial rule. Known as Tiradentes, or "tooth-puller" because of his work as a dentist, he led a group aiming to free Brazil from Portuguese control...
Orthodox Easter Monday: Orthodox Easter Monday, celebrated the day after Easter Sunday, is a significant date in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Known also as Bright Monday or Renewal Monday, this day marks a joyful transition from the solemnity of Lent and Holy Week into a period of celebration and light, reflecting the resurrection...
Every Kid Healthy Week: Nurturing vibrant habits, fostering active play, and embracing wholesome choices, helping children discover the joy of balanced living.
Lesbian Visibility Week: To build awareness, create safe and healthy work environments, ‘normalize’ relationships, and allow lesbian voices to be heard, Lesbian Visibility Week provides various opportunities to build a society of inclusion. This event works to promote LGBTQIA women along with non-binary people in every field, from every generation, to every country...
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...
Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week is observed annually to shed light on the undeniable connection between abusing animals and harming humans. This observance week creates awareness of the need to understand the intersectional nature of these issues and for societal change to end the cruelty. It also promotes education about...
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 Princess Week: When you think of a princess, images of elegance, courage, and kindness come to mind. National Princess Week celebrates these traits, inviting everyone to embrace their inner royalty. This special week, started by Julie Andrews, Disney, and Target, is a chance to enjoy the magic and charm associated with princesses...
National Pediatric Transplant Week: Each year, thousands of children across the world benefit from the life-saving medical intervention that comes through organ donation. But the list of those in need of organ donors is long and these younger patients often have to wait for a great deal of time for matches because of complex...
Administrative Professionals Week: In offices around the globe, desks become stages of gratitude during Administrative Professionals Week. Teams come together, celebrating those who keep the gears turning. Imagine the scene: colorful bouquets and heartfelt notes replace reports and spreadsheets. Managers pause meetings to say "thank you," acknowledging the often unseen dedication of their...
National Volunteer Week : Contributing time and effort, volunteering fosters positive change, enriching lives, and creating a ripple of goodwill in communities.
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
National Sky Awareness Week: Humans go through life each day looking at the buildings, cars, computer screens, and other people around them, but it seems like a rare event that they will spend time being aware of the sky. National Sky Awareness Week seeks to remind people of all ages that there is something interesting...
National Park Week: Say hello to beautiful plants, native wildlife, natural landscapes, and unique terrains because it’s time to celebrate and enjoy National Park Week! History of National Park Week The first National Park Week was celebrated in 1991 when it was declared by US President George H.W. Bush to honor the 75th anniversary...
Coin Week: Begin or grow your coin collection, learn about how countries’ mints reflect their history, or join a coin club or even local competition during Coin Week.