April 30

Scott Winters April 30, 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 – On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, NY, George Washington took the oath of office to become the first elected U.S. President.

1803 – The U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.

1812 – Louisiana was admitted as the 18th U.S. state.

1824 – Congress appropriated $10,000 to survey a road between Detroit, MI and Chicago, IL. That road was Territorial Road or the Great Sauk Trail. Today it is US-12.

1889 – George Washington’s inauguration became the first U.S. National holiday.

1900 – Hawaii was organized as an official U.S. territory.

1925 – Governor Alexander Groesbeck required a 5 day waiting period for weddings in Michigan.

1927 – Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford became the first celebrities to leave their footprints in concrete at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA.

1938 – Happy Rabbit appeared in the cartoon “Porky’s Hare Hunt.” This rabbit would later evolve into Bugs Bunny.

1939 – Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first President to appear on television during the World Fair’s opening ceremonies broadcast.

1939 – The first railroad car equipped with fluorescent lights was put into service. The train car was known as the “General Pershing Zephyr.”

1939 – Lou Gehrig played his last game with the New York Yankees.

1940 – Belle Martell was licensed in California by state boxing officials. She was the first American woman, prizefight referee.

1945 – Arthur Godfrey began his CBS radio morning show “Arthur Godfrey Time.” It ran until this day in 1972.

1947 – The name of Boulder Dam, in Nevada, was changed back to Hoover Dam.

1952 – Mr. Potato Head became the first toy to be advertised on network television.

1964 – The FCC ruled that all TV receivers should be equipped to receive both VHF and UHF channels.

1967 – Muhammad Ali refused induction into the U.S. Army and was stripped of his heavyweight boxing title. He sited religious grounds for his refusal.

1973 – President Richard Nixon announced resignation of H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and other top aides.

1977 – At the Pontiac Silverdome, in Pontiac, MI, Led Zeppelin played a show to an audience of 77,229. The event set a new record for attendance at a single-act concert.

1983 – The song “Beat It”, by Michael Jackson, hit number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed in that spot for three weeks.

1984 – President Ronald Reagan signed cultural and scientific agreements with China. He also signed a tax accord that would make it easier for American companies to operate in China.

1988 – Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” fell out of the Billboard 200 chart for the first time in 725 weeks.

1992 – Madonna’s bustier was one of the items stolen from Frederick’s of Hollywood during the rioting and looting that followed the Rodney King verdict. The store offered a $1,000 reward for its return.

1993 – CERN put the World Wide Web software in the public domain.

1993 – Monica Seles was stabbed in the back during a tennis match in Hamburg, Germany. The man, Gunter Parche, called himself a fan of second-ranked Steffi Graf. He was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and received a suspended sentence.

1997 – Ellen DeGeneres came out of the closet on a widely publicized episode of her ABC television sitcom, “Ellen”. Melissa Etheridge and kd lang were guests on the show.

1997 – Two-time heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe retired from boxing.

1998 – United and Delta airlines announced their alliance that would give them control of 1/3 of all U.S. passenger seats.

1998 – Federal regulators fined a contractor $2.25 million for improper handling of oxygen canisters on ValuJet that crashed in the Florida Everglades in 1996.

2001 – The DEA called on the makers of painkillers to curb the distribution of OxyContin, a drug blamed for more than 100 fatal overdoses.

2001 – Government intern Chandra Levy was last seen in Washington, DC. Her remains were not found until May 22nd, 2002. California Congressman Gary Condit was questioned in the case because of his relationship with Levy.

2002 – The SpiderMan soundtrack, featuring “Hero” by Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott, hit stores.

2004 – The television news program “60 Minutes” aired graphic photos, taken in late 2003, of American soldiers smiling as they abused Iraqis in the Abu Ghraib prison.

2004 – Former NBA star Jayson Williams was found not guilty of the three most serious charges in the shooting death of a chauffeur at his mansion.

2004 – Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty to a 10 count indictment including charges of child imprisonment, performing lewd acts on a child under 14 years of age and administering intoxicating agents to a minor.

2009 – Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

2012 – One World Trade Center became the tallest structure in New York, NY, when it surpassed the height of the Empire State Building.

2015 – NASA’s Messenger spacecraft crashed into the surface of Mercury. The space probe sent back more than 270,000 pictures to earth.

BIRTHDAYS:

Don Schollander – 79 years old (1946) – Olympic swimmer

Perry King – 77 years old (1948) – Actor (TV’s “Riptide”, “Almost Home”, “Melrose Place”)

Merril Osmond – 72 years old (1953) – Singer (The Osmonds)

Jane Campion – 71 years old (1954) – Director (“The Piano”)

Lars von Trier – 69 years old (1956) – Director (“Breaking the Waves”, “Dancer in the Dark”, “Melancholia”)

Paul Gross – 66 years old (1959) – Actor (TV’s “Due South”, movie “Passchendaele”)

Isiah Thomas – 64 years old (1961) – Basketball player (Detroit Pistons 1981-1994)

Adrian Pasdar – 60 years old (1965) – Actor (“Heroes”, “Profit”, “Near Dark”, “Carlito’s Way”, “Mysterious Ways”)

J.R. Richards – 58 years old (1967) – Singer (Dishwalla)

Jeff Timmons – 52 years old (1973) – Singer (98 Degrees)

Johnny Galecki – 50 years old (1975) – Actor (TV’s “The Big Bang Theory”, “Roseanne”, movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”)

Kunal Nayyar – 44 years old (1981) – Actor (TV’s “The Big Bang Theory”)

Kirsten Dunst – 43 years old (1982) – Actress (“Spider-Man”, “Bachelorette”, “Melancholia”, “Upside Down”, “Elizabethtown”, “Get Over It”, “The Virgin Suicides”, “Little Women”, “Interview With the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles”, TV’s “Fargo”)

Dianna Agron – 39 years old (1986) – Actress (TV’s “Glee”)

TODAY IS:

International Jazz Day: Join your community in appreciating and recognizing the rich culture and heritage of jazz. Visit a local jazz club, or revisit some of the greatest musicians in history.
National Bubble Tea Day: With tapioca pearls and a variety of flavors, served with a fat straw, this beverage has become a popular choice among tea enthusiasts.
Walpurgis Night: Walpurgis Night is a vibrant celebration filled with music, bonfires, and dancing. It marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter's long grip. Communities come together to enjoy the warmth and light of the fires, which symbolize protection from evil spirits. This night is especially lively in Northern...
International Guide Dog Day: Guide dogs provide constant aid, protection, and companionship to people with various disabilities and special needs, so thank them—maybe with a treat.
National Bugs Bunny Day: This famous cartoon character has been entertaining audiences for generations with his quick wit and cunning, playful demeanor.
Denim Day: Supporting survivors and fostering dialogue through denim, symbolizing unity against the silence surrounding sexual assault.
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day: National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day focuses on the many animals in shelters hoping for a loving home. Each year, millions of pets end up in shelters due to various reasons, from abandonment to stray situations. How to Celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day Celebrating National Adopt a Shelter...
National Mr. Potato Head Day: Celebrating the charm of a versatile, spud-based toy, sparking creativity and timeless joy through imaginative play and customization.
National Mahjong Day: Playing tiles, strategizing, and bonding, offering hours of engaging fun and connections with friends and family.
National Oatmeal Cookie Day: Fun to make, even more fun to eat; bake (or buy) your favorite version of the sweet an at least a little healthy treat, the oatmeal cookie. Enjoy with milk!
Stop Food Waste Day: A third of all food produced in the world goes to waste, yet hundreds of millions of people go hungry. Help reduce this waste and make sure every mouth gets fed.
National Tie Dye Day: National Tie Dye Day, an annual occasion, holds a place of honor as one of the most colorful days of the year. This vibrant celebration honors human creativity, individuality, and the ancient art of tie-dying. The day marks not only the fun, colorful creations that delight us so much today...
Hairstyle Appreciation Day: Hairstyle Appreciation Day celebrates the art and creativity of hairstyling. It recognizes the unique and personal way hairstyles express our individuality. This special day is a chance to appreciate the variety of styles, from simple cuts to elaborate designs. It's about more than just hair; it's a celebration of...
National Raisin Day: Packed with natural sweetness and loads of nutrients — a great snack on-the-go, and a versatile ingredient in many sweet and savory dishes.
National Military Brats Day: Growing up in a military family means packing bags often, saying goodbye too many times, and learning to call new places home. National Military Brats Day shines a light on the kids who live this life, growing up with a mix of adventure and sacrifice. They don’t wear uniforms, but...
National Sarcoidosis Day: Picture waking up one day feeling exhausted, short of breath, or covered in unexplained rashes. Sarcoidosis causes these and many other symptoms, yet its cause remains unknown. Tiny clusters of inflamed cells, called granulomas, can appear in the lungs, skin, eyes, and other organs. Some cases are mild, while others...
National Animal Advocacy Day: Animals play a huge role in our world, and National Animal Advocacy Day reminds everyone to stand up for them. It brings attention to the needs of creatures who cannot ask for help on their own. From saving endangered species to helping abandoned pets, advocates push for better laws and...
International Noise Awareness Day: Picture walking down a busy street where the noise feels heavier than the air. That constant roar isn’t just annoying; it quietly chips away at your health. International Noise Awareness Day brings attention to this often-overlooked problem. It urges people everywhere to notice how much sound shapes their daily lives. Instead...
National Tabby Day: Tabby cats, with their distinctive striped, spotted, or swirled coats, have long captured the hearts of feline enthusiasts. National Tabby Day celebrates these charming cats, highlighting their unique patterns and delightful personalities. Unlike a specific breed, "tabby" refers to a coat pattern found in many domestic cats. These patterns come in...
National Honesty Day: Honesty Day is a special day celebrated every year, encouraging everyone to be truthful and open in all aspects of life! How to Celebrate Honesty Day Ready to dive into the transparent waters of Honesty Day? Here are some quirky and playful suggestions to mark the occasion with a sparkle of sincerity: Jam...
National PrepareAthon! Day: Imagine a day dedicated to boosting our readiness for unexpected events. National PrepareAthon! Day encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to engage in activities that enhance preparedness for various hazards. Whether it's assembling emergency kits, developing communication plans, or conducting drills, this initiative emphasizes proactive steps to ensure safety and resilience...
Spank Out Day: Spank Out Day, celebrated annually, focuses on ending the use of physical punishment on children and encourages non-violent parenting techniques. How to Celebrate Spank Out Day Throw a Spank-Free Shindig Everyone loves a good party! Throw a bash on Spank Out Day to celebrate non-violent parenting. Fill it with fun games, yummy treats...
Day of the Child: A day filled with laughter, games, and the pure joy of being a kid, where imaginations run wild and smiles shine bright.
National Stop Snoring Week: National Stop Snoring Week is a week to focus on snoring. It is often the source of jokes. But the reality is that it can be a first sign of larger, sometimes unseen, health concerns. This annual week of observance can help raise national awareness about snoring! It also zeroes...
National Youth Violence Prevention Week: National Youth Violence Prevention Week is an important event that focuses on preventing violence among young people. During this week, various organizations and communities come together to raise awareness and promote safety. Activities and events are organized to educate both youth and adults on how to identify and prevent violence...
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...