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:
1856 – An obscure lawyer spoke at a Republican Party rally at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo, MI. That lawyer was Abraham Lincoln — his only visit to Michigan.
1859 – Petroleum was discovered near Titusville, PA. that led to the world’s first commercially successful oil well.
1889 – The patent for the metal clarinet was given to Charles G. Conn.
1894 – The Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act was passed by Congress. The provision within the Act for a graduated income tax was later struck down by the Supreme Court.
1921 – The owner of Acme Packing Company bought a pro football team for Green Bay, WI. J.E. Clair named the team the Green Bay Packers to pay tribute to those who worked in his plant.
1946 – Isle Royale, off Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was dedicated as a National Park.
1955 – The very first printed edition of “The Guinness Book of World Records” was published. It is still the world’s best selling copyrighted book. (I was actually in “The Guinness Book of World Records” for one year! Click here to read more about that.)
1962 – The Mariner 2 unmanned space mission was launched by NASA towards Venus. It flew by Venus in December to become the first space probe to reach the vicinity of another planet.
1981 – Work began on recovering a safe from the luxury liner Andrea Doria. The liner sank in 1956 in the waters off of Massachusetts.
1984 – President Ronald Reagan announced that the first citizen to go into space would be a teacher. Christa McAuliffe was the teacher who was chosen. She died in the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986.
1984 – Diane Sawyer became the fifth reporter on CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes.”
1985 – The Space Shuttle Discovery left for a seven-day mission in which three satellites were launched and another was repaired and redeployed.
1989 – The first U.S. commercial satellite rocket was launched. A British communications satellite was onboard.
1990 – Stevie Ray Vaughan and three members of Eric Clapton’s band were killed in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin.
1992 – The video game “Super Mario Kart” was released in Japan.
1996 – California Governor Pete Wilson signed an order that would halt state benefits to illegal immigrants.
1998 – TV’s “Gilligan’s Island” star Bob Denver was given six months of unsupervised probation after pleading no contest to charges of marijuana possession.
1998 – James Brolin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1998 – The movie “Titanic” became the first film to earn more than $600 million in North America.
1999 – Due to financial reasons, Russia was forced to abandon the Space Station Mir. The final crew departed the station to return to Earth.
2001 – Work began on the future site of a World War II memorial on the U.S. Capital’s historic national Mall. The site is between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
2003 – Mars was closest to the Earth than any other time in recorded history — 34,649,589 miles away.
2006 – Comair Flight 5191 crashed on takeoff from Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, KY, bound for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA. Of the passengers and crew, 49 of 50 were confirmed dead in the hours following the crash.
2011 – Hurricane Irene hit the east coast, killing 47 and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage.
2012 – The first interplanetary human voice recording was broadcast from the Mars Rover Curiosity.
2014 – The movie “Birdman” premiered in theaters. It would win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
2017 – Boxer Floyd Mayweather stopped Conor McGregor by a 10th round TKO to win his final fight before retiring. Mayweather’s career record was 50-0.
2019 – Race car driver Jessi Combs died while setting new fastest women’s land speed record of 522.783 mph at Alvord Desert, Oregon.
2022 – A mint condition Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for $12.6 million — the most ever paid for sports memorabilia.
BIRTHDAYS:
Tuesday Weld – 82 years old (1943) – Actress (“Looking for Mr. Goodbar”, “Pretty Poison”, “Thief”, “Once Upon a Time in America”, TV’s “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis”)
Marianne Sägebrecht – 80 years old (1945) – Actress (“The War of the Roses”)
Barbara Bach – 78 years old (1947) – Actress (“Caveman”, “The Spy Who Loved Me”)
Jeff Cook – 76 years old (1949) – Musician (Alabama)
Alex Lifeson – 72 years old (1953) – Guitarist (Rush)
Diana Scarwid – 70 years old (1955) – Actress (“Inside Moves”, “Pretty Baby”, “Silkwood”, “Psycho III”, “What Lies Beneath”)
Downtown Julie Brown – 62 years old (1963) – TV host (TV’s “Club MTV”, “120 Minutes”)
Chandra Wilson – 56 years old (1969) – Actress (TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”)
Tony Kanal – 55 years old (1970) – Bassist (No Doubt)
Sarah Chalke – 49 years old (1976) – Actress (TV’s “Roseanne”, “Scrubs”, “How I Met Your Mother”)
Jon Siebels – 46 years old (1979) – Guitarist (Eve 6)
Alexa Vega – 37 years old (1988) – Actress (TV’s “Ruby and the Rockits”, “Spy Kids” movies)
Blake Jenner – 33 years old (1992) – Actor (TV’s “Glee”)
TODAY IS:
- National Banana Lovers Day: Slice them onto cereal or toast, bake them into bread, or just enjoy a potassium-rich banana straight from the peel for a quick, easy, healthy and cheap snack.
- La Tomatina: La Tomatina is a lively celebration in which thousands gather in the town of Buñol, Spain. People from all over the world come to participate in the massive tomato fight, which fills the streets with vibrant red. The festival offers a unique, messy, and joyful experience, creating an atmosphere of...
- National Tug of War Day: Gather friends and family to create a team, or join a team at a tug-of-war event. Whether two people a side or a thousand, everyone loves a good HEAVE.
- National Petroleum Day: Try going the day without using any petroleum products—from car gas to plastic and more—to see the massive impact petroleum has had on 21st Century living.
- International Lottery Day: International Lottery Day is a day filled with excitement, dreams, and possibilities. It’s a time when people across the globe come together to try their luck in lotteries, hoping for that life-changing win. The thrill of anticipation, the moment just before the numbers are called, keeps many people on the...
- National Pots De Creme Day: Heavy cream, whole milk, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt are all it takes to make your own quick and basic delicious pots de crème.
- World Lake Day: World Lake Day is all about giving lakes the attention they truly deserve. These peaceful places do more than offer a pretty view. They give us fresh water, help grow our food, and provide a home for fish, birds, and other animals. When families spend weekends by the water or farmers...
- World Rock Paper Scissors Day: Engage in a timeless game of strategy and chance that adds excitement and decision-making fun to any moment.
- National Just Because Day: Sometimes taking a holiday and celebrating happens for a specific reason. And sometimes it can happen for no reason at all! Which is the exact idea behind National Just Because Day. History of National Just Because Day Founded by Joseph J. Goodwin in the late 1950s, National Just Because Day...
- Crab Soup Day: You can almost hear the laughter before you smell the soup. Crab Soup Day stirs up more than just a pot—it stirs up memories, stories, and smiles. Big metal pots boil with crab legs poking through the surface, surrounded by herbs, roots, and a mix of local flavors. The soup bubbles...
- Lyndon Baines Johnson Day: Lyndon Baines Johnson Day is a special day in Texas to honor a native son who rose from small-town teacher to the nation’s highest office. This celebration highlights a figure whose leadership changed many lives. People think about a bold leader who pushed for fairness, education, and health care. His...
- National Sport Sampling Day: Kids running, jumping, swinging bats, or kicking balls—it’s all part of National Sport Sampling Day. This event gives young people the chance to try a wide range of sports, often for the first time. Whether it’s tennis, soccer, or track, the idea is simple: let them explore. No pressure to...
- The Duchess Who Wasn’t Day: Read the works of Irish author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, who went by the pen name “The Duchess” on “The Duchess” Who Wasn’t (actually a duchess) Day.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi is a vibrant and joyful Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, known as the remover of obstacles. Ganesha, with his elephant head, symbolizes wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. During this time, beautifully crafted idols of Ganesha are placed in homes and public spaces. Devotees gather...
- 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...
- Be Kind to Humankind Week: Genuine gestures illuminate hearts, weaving compassion into the fabric of everyday connections, fostering solidarity and empathy.
- Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
- National Composites Week: National Composites Week is an event that spotlights the critical role composite materials play in various industries. These materials, known for their strength, durability, and flexibility, are used in everything from aerospace to everyday consumer goods. During this week, the spotlight is on the innovative ways these composites enhance product performance...
- Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
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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.
