April 8

Scott Winters April 8, 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 – The U.S. House of Representatives held its first meeting.

1820 – In the ancient city ruins of Milos, an armless marble statue from 100 B.C. — The Venus de Milo — was found.

1834 – In New York, NY, Cornelius Lawrence became the first mayor to be elected by popular vote in a city election.

1864 – The U.S. Senate passed the 13th Amendment by a vote of 38 to 6.

1873 – Alfred Paraf patented the first successful oleomargarine.

1904 – Longacre Square in Midtown Manhattan was renamed Times Square after The New York Times.

1906 – Auguste Deter, the first person to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, died.

1911 – The first squash tournament was played at the Harvard Club in New York, NY.

1913 – The Seventeenth amendment was ratified, requiring direct election of Senators.

1931 – The robin became Michigan’s official state bird. The robin was voted on by the state’s 4th graders.

1935 – The Works Progress Administration was approved by the U.S. Congress.

1943 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in an attempt to check inflation, froze wages and prices, prohibited workers from changing jobs unless the war effort would be aided thereby, and barred rate increases by common carriers and public utilities.

1947 – The first illustrated insurance policy was issued by the Allstate Insurance Company.

1952 – President Harry Truman seized steel mills to prevent a nationwide strike.

1953 – The bones of Sitting Bull were moved from North Dakota to South Dakota.

1959 – A team of computer manufacturers, users and university people led by Grace Hopper met to discuss the creation of a new programming language that would be called COBOL.

1964 – Gemini 1 (an unmanned test flight) was launched.

1974 – At Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run against the L.A. Dodgers, breaking Babe Ruth’s 39 year old record.

1975 – Frank Robinson of the Cleveland Indians became first black manager of a major league baseball team.

1983 – Magician David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear.

1986 – Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, CA.

1987 – Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis resigned over remarks he had made. While on ABC’s “Nightline”, Campanis said that blacks “may not have some of the necessities” to hold managerial jobs in major-league baseball.

1988 – Former President Ronald Reagan aid, Lyn Nofzinger, was sentenced to prison for illegal lobbying for Wedtech Corp.

1990 – The television show “Twin Peaks” premiered on ABC. It ran for two seasons until it was cancellation in 1991.

1990 – AIDS activist Ryan White died of the disease at age 18.

1991 – An unsuccessful lawsuit filed against Virgin Records claimed that Paula Abdul did not do all the singing on her album, “Forever Your Girl”.

1994 – Smoking was banned in the Pentagon and all U.S. military bases.

1994 – The RIAA announced that Pink Floyd’s 1973 album “Dark Side of the Moon” had become the fourth biggest-selling album in U.S. history. It had passed the 13 million mark in sales.

2001 – Microsoft Corp. released Internet Explorer 6.0.

2002 – Ed McMahon filed a $20 million lawsuit against his insurance company, two insurance adjusters, and several environmental cleanup contractors. The suit alleged breach of contract, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress concerning a toxic mold that had spread through McMahon’s Beverly Hills home.

2004 – National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice testified that President George Bush was warned of suspicious activity by terrorists located in the U.S. about a month before the 9/11 attacks occurred.

2005 – Over four million people attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

2007 – An iPod saved a soldier’s life in Iraq. The MP3 player stopped a bullet from an insurgent’s AK-47. Kevin Garrad (3rd Infantry Division) was on a street patrol in Iraq. As he rounded the corner of a building an armed insurgent came from the other side. The two of them were within just a few feet of each other when they opened fire. The insurgent was killed and Kevin was hit in the left chest where his iPod was in his jacket pocket. It slowed the bullet down enough that it did not completely penetrate his body armor.

2008 – The Roman Catholic priest accused of stalking Conan O’Brien pleaded guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct and was ordered to stay away from the talk show host for two years.

2014 – Windows XP reached its standard End Of Life and is no longer supported.

2024 – A total solar eclipse was visible across parts of North America (including Michigan)

BIRTHDAYS:

Peggy Lennon – 84 years old (1941) – Singer (Lennon Sisters)

John Hiller – 82 years old (1943) – Baseball player. (Played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers 1965-1980)

Stuart Pankin – 79 years old (1946) – Actor (“Irreconcilable Differences”, “Arachnophobia”)

Steve Howe – 78 years old (1947) – Guitarist (Yes, Asia)

Mel Schacher – 74 years old (1951) – Bass guitarist (Grand Funk Railroad). Born in Owosso, MI

John Schneider – 65 years old (1960) – Singer, actor (TV’s “Dukes of Hazzard”, “Smallville”, “Desperate Housewives”)

Izzy Stradlin – 63 years old (1962) – Guitarist (Gun’s ‘N Roses)

Julian Lennon – 62 years old (1963) – Musician, son of John Lennon

Robin Wright – 59 years old (1966) – Actress (TV’s “House of Cards”, movies “Message in a Bottle”, “White Oleander”, “Forrest Gump”, “The Princess Bride”)

Patricia Arquette – 57 years old (1968) – Actress (“True Romance”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”, “Boyhood”, “Stigmata”, “Lost Highway”, “Flirting With Disaster”, “Ed Wood”, TV’s “Medium”, “CSI: Cyber”)

Emma Caulfield – 52 years old (1973) – Actress (TV’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Beverly Hills 90210”)

Taylor Kitsch – 44 years old (1981) – Actor (TV’s “Friday Night Lights”)

Taran Noah Smith – 41 years old (1984) – Actor (Played Mark on TV’s “Home Improvement”)

Kirsten Storms – 41 years old (1984) – Actress (TV’s “Days of Our Lives”)

TODAY IS:

National Zoo Lovers Day: Gather some friends and family and appreciate the incredible animals of the world by visiting, donating to, or volunteering at your local Zoological Garden.
International Romani Day: International Romani Day both honors and celebrates the Romani people's rich culture, history, and contributions. But the day also intends to raise awareness about the challenges and the discrimination that their people still face today. So, while the occasion marks significant moments in Romani culture and history, it is also...
National Time Management Month: National Time Management Month is a vibrant time to reassess how we manage our schedules. This month-long event highlights the value of organizing our tasks effectively. By improving our time management, we can boost productivity and reduce stress. Everyone, from students to professionals, can benefit from honing these skills. The main...
Baby Massage Day: Baby Massage Day highlights the simple yet profound act of massaging infants. This special day promotes a deeper connection between parents and their little ones through gentle touch. The practice of baby massage offers numerous health benefits, such as improved sleep, better digestion, and a stronger immune system. Parents who...
National Empanada Day: Making a prominent appearance as a culinary figure in the Spanish-speaking world, empanadas offer a delicious foray into a wide array of flavors that are wrapped in a delightful pastry shell. National Empanada Day brings the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for and celebrate this small, convenient meal that packs...
International Pageant Day: International Pageant Day seeks to celebrate the women around the world, encouraging them in their endeavors and acknowledging the work that they go through to compete – because pageants are about way more than just a pretty face! How to Celebrate International Pageant Day Check out a couple of ideas to...
National Dog Fighting Awareness Day: April 8 marks National Dog Fighting Awareness Day, a vital observance aimed at ending the cruel and secretive world of dog fighting. Despite the strict laws against it in all 50 states, dog fighting persists, hidden from the public eye but causing immense suffering. This day brings the issue into...
National Pygmy Hippo Day: Learn about the adorable, but tragically endangered Pygmy Hippo. Raise awareness, donate or volunteer to help preserve these wonderful miniature creatures.
National Library Workers Day: Thank your librarian, or even volunteer at your local library to gain an appreciation for what these hard-working public servants do every day for our society.
Draw a Picture of a Bird Day: From chickens to penguins to sparrows, from pens to pencils to watercolors, you have plenty of artistic options on Draw a Picture of a Bird Day.
Identity Management Day: Efficiently securing and organizing digital profiles enhances online safety and streamlines access across various platforms seamlessly.
International Feng Shui Awareness Day: Picture a home where every corner feels peaceful, and every space seems to breathe. That’s the heart of feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of arranging surroundings to boost harmony. International Feng Shui Awareness Day invites everyone to see how the spaces we live and work in can change how...
Step Into the Spotlight Day: Step Into the Spotlight Day is a gentle nudge to stop playing small. It’s that little voice saying, “Hey, you’ve got something amazing—let the world see it.” This day isn’t just for performers or public speakers. It’s for anyone ready to share their spark, even if it’s just a flicker...
International Be Kind to Lawyers Day: Lawyers have high-stress jobs, require a lot of schooling, and are one of the most popular punchlines to jokes, so be kind to the lawyers in your life.
National All is Ours Day: National All is Ours Day is celebrated on April 8 every year. It's a time for everyone to pause and appreciate the beauty and abundance in our lives and the world around us. This special day reminds us of the things we share and the importance of caring for them...
National Library Week: Silent realms of knowledge, these havens harbor stories and wisdom, inviting exploration beyond the whispers of time.
Discover National Parks Fortnight: Discover National Parks Fortnight invites everyone to join in on an adventure - exploring the stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of national parks. This fantastic outdoor-themed event spans two weeks each year. This period is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors and appreciate the environmental treasures within...
Community Garden Week: Community Garden Week comes around each year vibrant spring flowers begin to light up the landscape. This special week-long observation highlights the many worthy community and school gardens that dot our landscapes. These gardening efforts do more than add beauty (although they undoubtedly do!). Indeed, they serve as hubs for...
Bee Active Bee Healthy Bee Happy Week: "Bee Active Bee Healthy Bee Happy Week is so much more than just a catchphrase. Indeed, it is a call to action. This week, founded by The Running Bee Foundation in Manchester, United Kingdom, is an effort to help reduce childhood obesity. Their goal is to help children learn the...
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...
Blue Ribbon Week: Blue Ribbon Week is a time dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse, symbolized by the blue ribbon. Across communities, people come together to support efforts that protect children from harm. During this week, the focus shifts to understanding the serious impact of abuse and neglect, which often goes unnoticed...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
National Public Health Week: The well-being of communities — disease prevention, and better living through knowledge and action, towards a healthier world.