April 25

Scott Winters April 25, 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:

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 years 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 years old (1945) – Bass guitarist (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Bjorn Ulvaeus – 80 years old (1945) – Musician (ABBA)

Talia Shire – 79 years old (1946) – Actress (“The Godfather”, “Rocky” movies)

Jeffrey DeMunn – 78 years old (1947) – Actor (“The Green Mile”, “The Shawshank Redemption,” TV’s “The Walking Dead”)

Steve Ferrone – 75 years old (1950) – Drummer (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Duran Duran, Average White Band)

Hank Azaria – 61 years old (1964) – Actor (provides numerous voices for TV’s “The Simpsons”, “Mad About You”, movie “Godzilla”)

Andy Bell – 61 years old (1964) – Singer (Erasure)

Eric Avery – 60 years old (1965) – Bass guitarist (Jane’s Addiction)

James Barbour – 59 years old (1966) – Actor, singer (“A Tale of Two Cities”)

Jane Clayson Johnson – 58 years old (1967) – Journalist (TV’s “Good Morning America”, “World News Tonight”)

Joe Buck – 56 years old (1969) – Play-by-play announcer

Renée Zellweger – 56 years 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 years 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 years old (1975) – Actress (“The Rage: Carrie 2”)

Sara Paxton – 37 years 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:

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.
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.
National Lingerie Day: Looking for a confidence boost? Treat yourself to some intimate apparel that makes you feel fabulous and sexy! You deserve it.
National Arbor Day: Transform bare lands into lush forests and create a greener world for future generations. Plant a tree, nourish it, and watch it grow!
National Telephone Day: The invention that revolutionized communication forever, this device brought people closer together and made the world feel smaller.
National Historic Marker Day: According to the historic marker database, there are more than 219,000 historic markers scattered across the cities and rural areas, along the larger highways and country roads of the United States – with thousands more in Canada. Despite how important they are to local and national culture, many historical markers don’t...
International Amigurumi Day: Crafting tiny, charming creatures brings joy, unleashing creativity and providing a delightful escape into handmade whimsical worlds.
National Hairball Awareness Day: Cats get hairballs…right? Yes, and no. For many cats, the occasional hairball is normal and healthy, but be aware of signs that these hairballs might be harming them.
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...
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?
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...
National East Meets West Day: Marking an historic moment of unity, troops from different nations joined at the Elbe River, bridging alliances.
National Parental Alienation Awareness Day: Shedding light on the impact of family separation, and fostering understanding for the emotional toll it carries on individuals.
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”.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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.