August 2

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:

1776 – Contrary to widespread misconceptions, the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not sign as a group and did not do so on July 4, 1776. John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed only draft copies that day, the official day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress. The signing of the official declaration happened on August 2, 1776, when 50 men probably took part.

1790 – The first U.S. Census was conducted.

1791 – Samuel Briggs and his son, Samuel Briggs, Jr., received a patent for a nail-making machine. They were the first father/son pair to receive a patent.

1858 – The first mailboxes were installed along the street in Boston, MA and New York, NY.

1861 – The first Income Tax was passed by the United States Congress. The revenues were intended for the war effort against the South. The tax was never enacted.

1870 – The world’s first underground tube railway opened in London, England.

1873 – The Clay Street Hill Railroad began operating the first cable car in San Francisco, CA’s famous cable car system.

1887 – Rowell Hodge received a patent for barbed wire.

1892 – Charles A. Wheeler received a patent for the first escalator.

1921 – Eight White Sox players were acquitted of throwing the 1919 World Series.

1923 – Vice President Calvin Coolidge became the 30th President of the United States, after the death of Warren G. Harding.

1923 – The first Lake Michigan car ferry began operation to cross the Straits of Mackinaw between the upper and lower peninsula’s of Michigan.

1926 – John Barrymore and Mary Astor starred in the first showing of the Vitaphone System. The system combined the pictures and sound for the movies.

1937 – The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed to render marijuana and all its by-products illegal.

1938 – In an experiment, bright yellow baseballs were used in a major league baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals. The hope was the balls would be easier to see.

1939 – Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt urging the U.S. to begin the Manhattan Project to develop a nuclear weapon.

1939 – President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Hatch Act. The act prohibited civil service employees from taking an active part in political campaigns.

1943 – The U.S. Navy patrol torpedo boat, PT-109, sank after being attacked by a Japanese destroyer. Lt. John F. Kennedy, future President, saved all but two of his crew.

1964 – The Pentagon reported the first of two North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

1965 – American’s first “Trimline” telephones were made available in Detroit, MI.

1982 – The Post Office issued a stamp honoring baseball great Jackie Robinson

1983 – U.S. House of Representatives approved a law that designated the third Monday of January be a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The law was signed by President Ronald Reagan on November 2.

1984 – The Charles Schultz’ comic strip “Peanuts” was added to the Portsmouth Daily Times, making it the first comic strip to appear in 2,000 newspapers.

1985 – 137 people are killed when a Delta jumbo jet crashed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

1987 – “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was re-released for it’s 50th anniversary.

1989 – The movie “Parenthood”, directed by Ron Howard and starring Steve Martin, premiered in theaters.

1990 – Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and seized petroleum reserves. That aggression began the Persian Gulf War.

1995 – China ordered the expulsion of two U.S. Air Force officers. The two were said to have been caught spying on military sights.

2014 – The Detroit Tigers scored in every inning played for the first time since 1912. Detroit beat Colorado 11-5.

2021 – It was announced that 70 percent of American had had at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot.

2022 – The nearly complete film “Batgirl” — with a budget of more than $90 million — was shelved. The official reason was that it was not testing well enough with audiences to instill confidence at Warner Bros.

BIRTHDAYS:

Kathy Lennon – 82 a old (1943) – Singer (The Lennon Sisters)

Joanna Cassidy – 80 a old (1945) – Actress (“Blade Runner”, TV’s “Six Feet Under”, “Dallas”, “Boston Legal”, “Diagnosis Murder”, “Buffalo Bill”)

Lance Ito – 75 a old (1950) – Judge (Presided over the O.J. Simpson murder trial)

Butch Patrick – 72 a old (1953) – Actor (Played Eddie on TV’s “The Munsters”, “Lidsville”)

Victoria Jackson – 66 a old (1959) – Actress, comedian (“Casual Sex”, “UHF”, TV’s “Saturday Night Live”, “Romeo!”, “Strip Mall”)

Cynthia Stevenson – 63 a old (1962) – Actress (“The Player”, “Forget Paris”, “Home for the Holidays”, “Air Bud: Golden Receiver”, TV’s “Cheers”)

Mary-Louise Parker – 61 a old (1964) – Actress (“RED”, “RED 2”, “Fried Green Tomatoes”, “Boys on the Side”, TV’s “Weeds”, “The West Wing”)

Kevin Smith – 55 a old (1970) – Director, actor (“Clerks”, “Chasing Amy”, “Dogma”, “Jersey Girl”, “Mallrats”)

Sam Worthington – 49 a old (1976) – Actor (“Avatar”, “Terminator Salvation”, “Clash of the Titans”, “Wrath of the Titans”)

Edward Furlong – 48 a old (1977) – Actor (“Detroit Rock City”, “Pecker”, “American History X”, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”)

TODAY IS:

• National Friendship Day: Friendship is a treasure trove of laughter, memories, and support. It's the sunshine on a cloudy day, and the bond that lasts a lifetime.
• National Coloring Book Day: Long gone are the days when coloring is just for kids. Get out a coloring book and colored pencils, and get lost in the creative, meditative exercise of coloring.
• National Sisters Day: There's nothing like having someone who knows you inside out and has been by your side through thick and thin - sisters are the best!
• National Ice Cream Sandwich Day: A sweet union of two delicate layers, with frosty bliss in between, offering delightful respite on a warm day.
• Friendship Day in India: Friendship Day in India is a celebration of the bonds that bring joy and support to our lives. This day is dedicated to honoring the friends who stand by us through thick and thin. People express their affection by exchanging friendship bands, gifts, and heartfelt messages. It’s a time to...
• Psychic Day: See if you have any dormant psychic or clairvoyant abilities by guessing coin flips, card colors, or even who’s calling when the phone rings.
• National CAD Day: National CAD Day is a day of celebration that honors the immense contributions of computer-aided design (CAD) to modern technology and innovation. CAD technology has been a cornerstone in various industries, helping professionals from engineering to fashion by turning complex visions into manageable and manipulable digital realities. The significance of this...
• Harriet Quimby Day: Harriet Quimby Day is all about celebrating a woman who dared to take flight—literally. She wasn’t just the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license; she was someone who saw the sky and thought, Why not me? Her story lifts this day into something more than a date. It’s a...
• American Family Day: The ones who support us through thick and thin, make us laugh and wipe our tears, and never give up on us: our tribe, our home, our heart.
• Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
• World Breastfeeding Week: Nurturing a bond like no other, this natural act of love fosters the health and well-being of both mother and child.
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: The National Eisteddfod of Wales is a vibrant celebration of Welsh culture, bringing together the best of the nation's music, literature, and performance arts. Each year, the festival moves to a different location within Wales, alternating between the north and south. This week-long event attracts thousands of visitors who immerse...
• Stop on Red Week: Crossing at a red light has caused countless fatalities, many of them completely avoidable. These aren’t rare, freak accidents—they happen in everyday traffic, on ordinary roads, during normal routines. Someone rushes to beat the light, doesn’t see the pedestrian, or assumes they’ll make it in time. In a split second...
• Farmers Market Week: Farmers Market Week is a vibrant celebration of local markets across the country. It's a time when communities come together to appreciate the fresh, locally grown produce and unique handmade goods that these markets offer. The energy at these markets during this special week is contagious as people of all...
• International Assistance Dog Week: International Assistance Dog Week is a special time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the hardworking dogs that change lives. These dogs provide essential support to individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate daily challenges. Their incredible skills, combined with their loyal companionship, make them invaluable to those who rely on them...
• Love Parks Week : Enjoy fresh air, beautiful scenery, and leisure activities that rejuvenate the mind and body in nature's embrace.
• National Exercise With Your Child Week: Encouraging outdoor play, fostering healthy habits, and instilling a love for movement in children for lifelong well-being.
• International Clown Week: Exploring playful characters, spreading joy with colorful costumes, and delighting audiences with whimsical performances and antics.

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For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.