April 26

Scott Winters April 26, 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:

1514 – Copernicus made his first observations of Saturn.

1607 – The British established an American colony at Cape Henry, VA. It was the first permanent English establishment in the Western Hemisphere.

1865 – Union cavalry troopers cornered and shot dead John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, near Bowling Green, VA.

1906 – In Hawaii, motion pictures were shown for the first time.

1921 – Weather broadcasts were heard for the first time on radio in St. Louis, MO.

1931 – New York Yankee Lou Gehrig hit a home run but was called out for passing a runner.

1941 – The Chicago Cubs became the first baseball team to install an organ in their ballpark.

1962 – NASA’s Ranger 4 spacecraft crashed into the Moon.

1963 – The state of Michigan started to require seatbelts in all new vehicles.

1964 – The Boston Celtics won their sixth consecutive NBA title. They won two more before the streak came to an end.

1968 – Students seized the administration building at Ohio State University.

1975 – B.J. Thomas had the longest title of a number one song at the top of the “Billboard” popular music chart. The song was “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.”

1977 – Studio 54 opened in New York, NY.

1981 – Dr. Michael R. Harrison of the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center performed the world’s first human open fetal surgery.

1983 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average broke 1,200 for first time.

1991 – The TV show “Dinosaurs”, featuring a family of dinosaurs named Sinclair, debuted on ABC. It would run until its final episode on October 19, 1994.

1993 – It was announced that Conan O’Brien would succeed David Letterman as host of NBC’s “Late Night” show.

1986 – The world’s worst nuclear disaster to date occurred at the Chernobyl in the Soviet Union. Thirty-one people died in the incident and thousands more were exposed to radioactive material.

2000 – Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar purchased the NHL’s New York Islanders.

2002 – The Senate and House agreed on the Farm Bill. The measure, the cost of which topped $100 billion, increased subsidies to farmers and fund conservation programs.

2011 – The very first episode of TV’s “The Voice” aired on NBC.

2018 – Comedian/actor Bill Cosby was found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. The guilty verdict came on the second day of jury deliberations in a Montgomery County, PA Courthouse. Each charge carried a potential sentence of ten years in prison.

2019 – Marvel Studios’ blockbuster film, “Avengers: Endgame”, was released. The film had a budget of $356 million, making it one of the most expensive movies ever made. It went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing the previous box office record of “Avatar”.

BIRTHDAYS:

Bambi Linn – 99 a old (1926) – Dancer (“Oklahoma!”)

Carol Burnett – 92 a old (1933) – Actress, comedian (“Pete ‘n Tillie”, TV’s “The Carol Burnett Show”)

Giorgio Moroder – 85 a old (1940) – Record producer, songwriter, performer (credited with pioneering Italo disco and electronic dance music)

Claudine Clark – 84 a old (1941) – Singer (“Party Lights”)

Donna de Varona – 78 a old (1947) – Olympic medal swimmer

Boyd Matson – 78 a old (1947) – Television anchor (TV’s “National Geographic Explorer”, NBC’s “Weekend Today”)

Giancarlo Esposito – 67 a old (1958) – Actor, director (TV, “Revolution”, “Breaking Bad”, “South Beach”, “Homicide: Life on the Street”, movies “Bob Roberts”, “Do the Right Thing”, “School Daze”)

Roger Taylor – 65 a old (1960) – Drummer (Duran Duran)

Joan Chen – 64 a old (1961) – Actress (“The Last Emperor”, “Wild Side”, TV’s “Twin Peaks”)

Michael Damian – 63 a old (1962) – Actor, singer, producer (TV’s “The Young and the Restless”)

Debra Wilson – 63 a old (1962) – Comedienne (TV’s “MadTV”, “Uptown Comedy Jam”, “Scary Movie 4”, TV’s “The Proud Family”)

Jet Li – 62 a old (1963) – Actor (“Lethal Weapon 4,” “War”, “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”, “Cradle 2 the Grave”, “Hero”, “Kiss of the Dragon”, “Romeo Must Die”)

Kevin James – 60 a old (1965) – Actor (“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”, “The Dilemma”, “Grown Ups”, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”, “Here Comes the Boom”, “Hitch”, TV’s “The King of Queens”)

Marianne Jean-Baptiste – 58 a old (1967) – Actress (“Without a Trace”, “Secrets & Lies”)

Shane Evans – 55 a old (1970) – Drummer (Collective Soul)

T-Boz – 55 a old (1970) – Singer, songwriter (TLC)

Stana Katic – 47 a old (1978) – Actress (TV’s “Castle”, “Absentia”)

Jordana Brewster – 45 a old (1980) – Actress (“The Fast and the Furious,” TV’s “As the World Turns”)

Marnette Patterson – 45 a old (1980) – Actress (TV’s “Something So Right”)

Channing Tatum – 45 a old (1980) – Actor (“Dear John”, “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”, “Public Enemies”, “Magic Mike”, “White House Down”, “The Vow”, “Step Up”, “Step Up 2: The Streets”, “She’s the Man”)

Jessica Lynch – 42 a old (1983) – U.S. Army soldier (First successfully rescued POW since the Vietnam War and the first ever of a woman)

TODAY IS:

London Marathon: The London Marathon is an incredible show of athletic endurance. However, it is also a day of kindness and community spirit. It neatly packages up both the essences of athletic prowess and charitable generosity. This annual event occurs every year near the River Thames - the true heart of London. This...
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day: One of the most devastating disasters in human history, International Chernobyl Remembrance Day recalls the suffering and pain still happening from the fallout.
National Pretzel Day: Warm, soft, and oh-so-tasty, take this excuse to visit a pretzel stand or shop and try a classic pretzel, or a new flavor like cinnamon or honey-mustard.
Alien Day: Host a movie marathon, read a graphic novel, or break out the Alien video games to honor Ridley Scott’s iconic and beloved science fiction franchise.
Get Organized Day: Tackle that desk drawer or spice rack, decide where to put that decorative pillow, or finally get around to cleaning up your computer files on Get Organized Day.
National Help A Horse Day: On of mankind’s closest companions, horses require lots of gentle, loving care to thrive, which is why horse lovers take part in National Help a Horse Day.
World Burlesque Day: With extravagance, glamor, and irreverence, Burlesque allows people of all kinds, from all walks of life, to get onstage and let their personalities shine.
National Kids and Pets Day: Fostering bonds between young ones and animal companions, nurturing a connection that blossoms with love, trust, and joy.
Hug an Australian Day: Spread a little love around the world by participating in Hug an Australian Day. Show some appreciation to an Aussie in your life, or plan a trip!
National Pet Parents Day: In many cases, the owners of cats, dogs, and other animals have a very special bond with their pets. Some even refer to their pets as their children. And it is for these folks that National Pet Parents Day is celebrated! How to Celebrate National Pet Parents Day Now is the time...
National Richter Scale Day: Learn about the history of Earthquakes, and how the Richter Scale measures them, or host an earthquake-themed movie party with friends or family.
Audubon Day: Audubon Day, celebrated each year on April 26th, honors John James Audubon, an influential American ornithologist and painter. This day is marked by a focus on the beauty and preservation of birds and their habitats. Audubon, known for his detailed illustrations of North American birds, left a legacy of appreciating...
National South Dakota Day: National South Dakota Day the 40th state to join the Union. It's a time to appreciate the state's stunning nature, from lush forests to vast valleys. The goal is to bring more visitors to this often-overlooked but beautiful state. How to Celebrate National South Dakota Day Dine Dakota Style Grab a fork and...
Remember Your First Kiss Day: Do you remember your first kiss? That moment when anticipation turned into reality? It's often a mix of nerves and excitement, a pivotal point where feelings and emotions collide. For many, it's a memory filled with joy, awkwardness, or even humor—a foundational experience in the realm of relationships and intimacy...
World Intellectual Property Day: Unlocking innovation's treasures, this legal shield safeguards creativity's fruits, sparking progress, rewarding inventors, and fueling a world of boundless ideas.
Mother Father Deaf Day: Mother Father Deaf Day shines a light on a special family dynamic. It's a day to celebrate deaf parents and their children, who are known as CODAs (children of deaf adults). This occasion is significant because it highlights the unique bond between deaf parents and their hearing children, fostering understanding...
World Pinhole Photography Day: Get creative with your photography by using a pinhole camera, a simple light-excluding box with the ability to take stunning pictures of many kinds.
National No Makeup Day: National No Makeup Day invites everyone to show off their natural beauty! People -- particularly women -- all around the world participate, embracing how they look without makeup. It encourages self-love and confidence in your skin! How to Celebrate National No Makeup Day Snap a Bare-Faced Selfie Kick off the day by capturing...
National Static Cling Day : Static cling sneaks into our lives with every tumble-dried sock and skirt that sticks too tight. It’s what happens when tiny electric charges build up and pull things together. Dry air makes it worse, and synthetic fabrics love to play along. You’ll spot it when balloons raise your hair, laundry...
National Garage Day: National Garage Day celebrates a space that often hides in plain sight. It’s not just where we park cars or stack boxes. This day shines a light on garages as creative hubs. People use them to tinker, build, and dream. Think of them as personal studios, where ideas come to...
Dissertation Day: The cost of delaying graduation for two, three, or even one year is very high and can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Doctoral students need to get motivated to get their work done and turned in, not only because they don’t need to pay more tuition, but also...
Global Youth Service Days: Global Youth Service Day gathers young people worldwide to roll up their sleeves and help their communities. It brings together schools, youth groups, and nonprofits to tackle local challenges. Young volunteers work on clean-ups, build things, pack food, or support neighbors in need. This event shows how loud youth voices...
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...
Feet Week: Happy feet make a happy person. Proper foot care involves regular washing, trimming nails, wearing comfortable shoes, and keeping them dry. Treat your feet well and they will take you places!
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...
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...
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...
Intergenerational Week: Intergenerational Week is a special time each year. It’s one week when we celebrate the ties that bind us across the generations. These bonds undoubtedly explain the affection cascading from grandparents to their children and grandchildren. Intergenerational Week brings understanding and respect, transcending age. How to Celebrate Intergenerational Week Celebrating Intergenerational Week...
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...
Seville Fair: The Seville Fair, or Feria de Abril, is one of Spain's most vibrant and colorful celebrations. This week-long event fills the streets of Seville with life, music, and dance, transforming the city into a festival of lights, traditional costumes, and joyful gatherings. The fairground, known as "Real de la Feria,"...
Fiddlers Frolics: Fiddlers Frolics is a lively event held in Hallettsville, Texas, celebrating the art of fiddling. Musicians of all ages gather for three days to showcase their skills in a spirited competition. The event draws nearly 100 participants and features various performances, workshops, and jam sessions. The highlight is the Texas State...
Allergy Awareness Week: Allergy Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the millions who deal with allergies daily. It's a crucial time to spread knowledge about various allergies, ranging from food to environmental triggers. This week reminds everyone of the serious nature of allergies, which can affect anyone at any time. It's an opportunity...
National Immunization Awareness Week: National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW) is a vibrant event highlighting the critical role vaccines play in keeping us healthy. This week, various health organizations and communities come together to spread the word about the benefits of immunization. It's a time to reflect on how vaccines protect us from many preventable...
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...
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...
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...