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:
1684 – A patent was granted for the thimble.
1846 – The Mexican-American War ignited as a result of disputes over claims to Texas boundaries. The outcome of the war fixed Texas’ southern boundary at the Rio Grande River.
1898 – The U.S. declared war on Spain. Spain had declared war on the U.S. the day before.
1901 – The Detroit Tigers played their first game at home as a major league team against the Milwaukee Brewers at Bennett Park.
1901 – New York became the first state to require license plates for cars. The fee was $1.
1928 – A seeing eye dog was used for the first time. Buddy, a German Shepherd, became Morris Frank’s companion.
1940 – W2XBS (now WCBS-TV) in New York, NY, presented the first circus on TV.
1953 – U.S. Senator Wayne Morse ended the longest speech in Senate history. The speech on the Offshore Oil Bill lasted 22 hours and 26 minutes.
1953 – Dr. James D. Watson and Dr. Francis H.C. Crick suggested the double helix structure of DNA.
1954 – The first practical solar cell is publicly demonstrated by Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York, NY.
1959 – St. Lawrence Seaway opened to shipping. The water way connects the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
1961 – Robert Noyce was granted a patent for the integrated circuit.
1962 – The U.S. spacecraft, Ranger, crashed on the Moon.
1963 – Amway held their first International Sales Convention.
1966 – Jack Valenti, an aide to President Lyndon Johnson, was hired as the head of the Motion Picture Association of America. A position he held for 38 years. While there, he created movie ratings.
1976 – It was rollercoaster spring weather in West Michigan. After four days with temperatures in the 80s from the 15th to the 18th, temperatures dropped back into the 30s with 3″ of heavy wet snow falling in Grand Rapids, MI.
1982 – Jane Fonda released her first workout video.
1983 – The Pioneer 10 spacecraft crossed Pluto’s orbit, speeding on its endless voyage through the Milky Way.
1988 – Sonny Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, CA. Six years later, in 1994 he was elected to Congress. He died in a skiing accident in 1997.
1990 – The U.S. Hubble Space Telescope was placed into Earth’s orbit. It was released by the Space Shuttle Discovery.
1992 – The final episodes of TV’s “Growing Pains” and “Who’s the Boss” aired on ABC.
1998 – First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was questioned by Whitewater prosecutors on videotape about her work as a private lawyer for the failed savings and loan at the center of the investigation.
2000 – In a move to preserve public areas, the National Park Service prohibited the recreational use of snowmobiles in nearly all national parks, monuments and recreational areas.
2003 – Southwest Airlines fired two pilots for “inappropriate conduct” after they removed most of their clothes in the cockpit of a Boeing 737. The pilots claimed they spilled coffee on their uniforms. The Federal Aviation Administration said that rules forbid behavior that distracts crew members, but there was no specific ban on flying naked.
2005 – “Runaway Bride” Jennifer Wilbanks turned up in Albuquerque, NM after claiming she had been abducted.
2007 – The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 13,000 for the first time.
2014 – The Flint, MI water crisis began when officials switched the city’s water supply to the Flint River, leading to lead and bacteria contamination.
2018 – Ford Motor Company announced that in the near future they would be condensing their line of U.S. car models to just the Mustang and the forthcoming Focus Active. The company would still manufacture a range of SUVs and trucks, including the Escape, Explorer, Bronco, and F-150.
2019 – Microsoft became the third company in the United States to be listed with a market value of $1 trillion, after Apple and Amazon.
BIRTHDAYS:
Al Pacino – 85 a old (1940) – Actor (“Scent of a Woman”, “Glengarry Glen Ross”, “Dick Tracy”, “And Justice for All”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, “The Godfather”, “The Godfather 2, “Serpico”)
Stu Cook – 80 a old (1945) – Bass guitarist (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Bjorn Ulvaeus – 80 a old (1945) – Musician (ABBA)
Talia Shire – 79 a old (1946) – Actress (“The Godfather”, “Rocky” movies)
Jeffrey DeMunn – 78 a old (1947) – Actor (“The Green Mile”, “The Shawshank Redemption,” TV’s “The Walking Dead”)
Steve Ferrone – 75 a old (1950) – Drummer (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Duran Duran, Average White Band)
Hank Azaria – 61 a old (1964) – Actor (provides numerous voices for TV’s “The Simpsons”, “Mad About You”, movie “Godzilla”)
Andy Bell – 61 a old (1964) – Singer (Erasure)
Eric Avery – 60 a old (1965) – Bass guitarist (Jane’s Addiction)
James Barbour – 59 a old (1966) – Actor, singer (“A Tale of Two Cities”)
Jane Clayson Johnson – 58 a old (1967) – Journalist (TV’s “Good Morning America”, “World News Tonight”)
Joe Buck – 56 a old (1969) – Play-by-play announcer
Renée Zellweger – 56 a old (1969) – Actress (“Bridget Jones’s Diary”, “Chicago”, “Cold Mountain”, “New in Town”, “Down With Love”, “Miss Potter”, “Cinderella Man”, “Me Myself and Irene”, “Nurse Betty”, “One True Thing”, “Jerry Maguire”)
Jason Lee – 55 a old (1970) – Actor (TV’s “My Name is Earl”, “Memphis Beat”, movies “Vanilla Sky”, “Chasing Amy”, “Mallrats”, “Almost Famous”, “Dogma”, “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back”)
Emily Bergl – 50 a old (1975) – Actress (“The Rage: Carrie 2”)
Sara Paxton – 37 a old (1988) – Actress (TV’s “Darcy’s Wild Life”, “Summerland”, movies “Aquamarine”, “Return to Halloweentown”, “Sydney White”, “Superhero Movie”, “The Last House on the Left”, “The Innkeepers”
TODAY IS:
- Independent Bookstore Day: Independent bookstores are struggling more and more with competition like Amazon or big chains like Barnes & Noble, so make a point to support your local shop.
- National Hug a Plumber Day: Give a special thank-you to the unsung heroes that keep our lives flowing—literally. Without plumbers, we would live in a much more disgusting world.
- World Penguin Day: Volunteer to help and educate the world about penguins, the adorable flightless birds of the Southern Hemisphere that face dangers from melting ice caps and more.
- World Malaria Day: Half a million people die of malaria each year. Donate to efforts to stop these deaths by providing mosquito netting and treatment to commonly affected areas.
- International Astronomy Day: Visit a museum or planetarium, chart the stars, or see how many constellations you can find to celebrate the vast and wonderful beauty of space and astronomy.
- National DNA Day: Ever since Watson and Crick’s discovery of the double helix, DNA has aided healthcare, science, even crime. Try a DNA kit, or read about the history of DNA.
- World Veterinary Day: Give a big thanks to the medical professionals who keep our dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, rodents and all other manner of creatures healthy and happy.
- National Lingerie Day: Looking for a confidence boost? Treat yourself to some intimate apparel that makes you feel fabulous and sexy! You deserve it.
- International Marconi Day: This 24-hour amateur radio event honors the legacy of Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, for whom its named. Join the network to get involved!
- Eeyore’s Birthday: Eeyore's Birthday is a unique celebration that brings together thousands of people in Austin, Texas. This annual event happens on the last Saturday of April, which is April 27th, 2024. It's not just a party; it's a way to support the Austin community through donations to non-profits in Central Texas. How...
- Healthy Kids Day: The ultimate happiness of all parents is seeing their children thrive and grow in a healthy environment. Healthy Kids Day is an exciting event that brings families together to focus on children's health and well-being. Hosted by YMCAs nationwide, it features a variety of activities designed to promote physical activity...
- National Telephone Day: The invention that revolutionized communication forever, this device brought people closer together and made the world feel smaller.
- National Go Birding Day: Grab some binoculars and visit a local wildlife reserve, or try hanging up a bird feeder to entice them into your own backyard on National Go Birding Day.
- National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: Ensuring safety by responsibly disposing of expired prescription drugs for a healthier and secure community environment.
- National Sense Of Smell Day: Take some time to stop and smell the roses—literally. National Sense of Smell Day is for appreciating the many scents our noses can pick up and enjoy.
- Celebrate Trails Day: Trails bring transformative benefits to communities and individuals in the form of physical health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Celebrate Trails Day is an initiative that invites everyone across the nation to enjoy existing trails while making an investment in the future of more trails! How to Observe and Celebrate Trails...
- International Amigurumi Day: Crafting tiny, charming creatures brings joy, unleashing creativity and providing a delightful escape into handmade whimsical worlds.
- National Rebuilding Day: When community leaders, community residents, and local affiliates put their heads and hands together to help a neighbor, the results can be life-changing! National Rebuilding Day offers an annual opportunity to create and execute specific plans that address the specific needs of each community it serves. How to Celebrate National Rebuilding...
- National First Ladies Day: Explore the rich stories and contributions of remarkable women who have graced the role of the nation's presidential partner.
- World Healing Day: Explore the essence of well-being, nurturing vitality, resilience, and fulfillment for a harmonious and vibrant life journey.
- National Mani-Pedi Day: National Mani-Pedi Day is a delightful celebration of nail care and self-expression. This special day invites everyone to take a break from their hectic lives and indulge in the luxurious treatment of their hands and feet. It's a chance to enjoy professional manicures and pedicures or even to try out...
- National Pool Opening Day: National Pool Opening Day is a much-anticipated event, signaling the start of pool season. It's a special day for pool owners to prepare their pools for a summer of fun. Families and friends gather to enjoy the sun and create lasting memories. This day is about more than just uncovering...
- Red Hat Society Day: Red Hat Society Day is a vibrant celebration held annually on April 25th. It marks the day when the Red Hat Society, a global organization dedicated to connecting and empowering women, first came together in 1998. This day is all about celebrating friendship, joy, and life's adventures, especially as women...
- National Zucchini Bread Day: Vegetables in cake sounds weird, but carrot cake proved it a success. Zucchini cake follows in the same vein, a moist, tasty sweet treat…with a healthy side?
- Undiagnosed Children’s Awareness Day: Have you ever met a child who’s been to more doctors than birthday parties? That’s the quiet world of undiagnosed children. Their families often live with unanswered questions. Tests come back unclear. Symptoms shift. Specialists scratch their heads. And still, the search continues. That’s what Undiagnosed Children's Awareness Day is all...
- International Financial Independence Awareness Day: With a declining economy, it’s tough to feel financially secure. But listen to experts and take some steps to set your future up for comfort, if not luxury.
- National Hairstylist Appreciation Day: National Hairstylist Appreciation Day is all about celebrating the artists behind every great haircut and style. Hair has a way of telling a story. A fresh cut, a bold color, or a simple trim can change how someone feels. That’s the magic that hairstylists bring to life every day. They do...
- International Delegate’s Day: International Delegate’s Day honors the people who speak and act for their nations within the United Nations. It celebrates delegates who step into rooms filled with voices from around the globe. They bring ideas, bold proposals, and thoughtful compromises. Their work keeps conversations moving forward and bridges gaps between cultures. Delegates...
- License Plate Day: License Plate Day celebrates the small metal plates that give each vehicle its own identity. These plates do more than just display numbers and letters—they help keep roads safe and organized. Without them, tracking vehicles would be a challenge. Imagine a world where cars had no unique tags; it would...
- National Parental Alienation Awareness Day: Shedding light on the impact of family separation, and fostering understanding for the emotional toll it carries on individuals.
- International Sculpture Day: Art has an incredible power to bring people together, spanning geography, cultures, languages and more. International Sculpture Day encourages participation by sculptors, artists, teachers, students and everyone throughout the world to experience the beauty and power of this form of art. How to Celebrate International Sculpture Day Looking for a few...
- National Kiss of Hope Day: With food insecurity, a rising cost of living, and a growing sense of need in communities all over the nation, National Kiss of Hope Day seeks to encourage individuals, families, and groups to take a little bit of time and make a bit of effort to help those who are...
- National East Meets West Day: Marking an historic moment of unity, troops from different nations joined at the Elbe River, bridging alliances.
- Anzac Day: For Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day represents the sacrifices made by soldiers from these countries. It stands for “Australian and New Zealand Army Corps”.
- 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...
- 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...
- National Library Week: Silent realms of knowledge, these havens harbor stories and wisdom, inviting exploration beyond the whispers of time.
- International Wildlife Film Week: International Wildlife Film Week pulls you into the heart of nature, without leaving your seat. For eight days, animals leap, crawl, swim, and soar across the screen. These films don’t just look beautiful; they tell real, gripping stories. You see a mother elephant trying to find water for her calf. Or...
- 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...
- American Camp Week: American Camp Week, celebrated annually from April 24 to April 30, sparks excitement among camp enthusiasts across the United States. This week highlights the joys and benefits of camping, a beloved outdoor activity that has long been a part of American culture. It's a time when both kids and adults...
- 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 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...
- Gathering of Nations (Pow Wow): The Gathering of Nations (Pow Wow) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an event like no other. Thousands of dancers, drummers, musicians, and artisans from over 500 tribes across the U.S. and Canada come together to celebrate their heritage. The event features stunning dance and music performances, with participants proudly displaying...
- 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.
- Texas Sandfest: Texas SandFest is a lively beach festival in Port Aransas featuring massive, intricate sand sculptures. Artists from around the world come to shape huge creations from native sand, transforming the shore into a live outdoor gallery. Visitors wander among towering sculptures while upbeat music drifts in from nearby stages. Family-friendly...
- 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.
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