August 30

Scott Winters August 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:

1682 – William Penn sailed from England and later established the colony of Pennsylvania in America.

1901 – Hubert Cecil Booth received a patent for the vacuum cleaner.

1905 – Ty Cobb, “The Georgia Peach,” made his Major League debut, playing centerfield for the Detroit Tigers.

1963 – A direct phone link — the so-called hot line — between Washington, DC and Moscow went into operation.

1967 – Thurgood Marshall was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a Supreme Court Justice. He became the first black Justice to sit on the Supreme Court.

1979 – A federal jury in New York found hotel owner Leona Helmsley guilty of income tax evasion but not extortion.

1983 – Guion S. Bluford, Jr. became the first African-American astronaut in space, flying aboard the shuttle Challenger Three.

1984 – The Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-41-D) took off on it’s maiden voyage. On the mission three communications satellites were deployed.

1984 – President Ronald Reagan, and several others, were inducted into the Sportscasters Hall of Fame.

1992 – The 11-day Ruby Ridge standoff ended with Randy Weaver surrendering to federal authorities.

1993 – “The Late Show with David Letterman” premiered on CBS TV, following his move from NBC. Bill Murray was David’s first guest.

1994 – Rosa Parks was robbed and beaten by Joseph Skipper. Parks was known for her refusal to give up her seat on a bus in 1955, which sparked the civil rights movement.

1994 – The largest U.S. defense contractor was created when the Lockheed and Martin Marietta corporations agreed to a merger.

1996 – An expedition to raise part of the Titanic failed when the nylon lines that were being used to raise part of the hull snapped.

2000 – Cabela’s opened up a 225,000 square foot store in Dundee, Michigan. It was the biggest of seven retail stores.

2002 – Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum merged to create ConocoPhillips. The new company became the third largest integrated energy company and the second largest refining company in the United States.

2021 – The last remaining American troops left Afghanistan, ending U.S. involvement in the war.

BIRTHDAYS:

Elizabeth Ashley – 86 years old (1939) – Actress (“The Carpetbaggers”, “Evening Shade”)

Ben Jones – 84 years old ( 1941) – Actor, politician (Played Cooter on TV’s “Dukes of Hazzard”, served four terms as a Democratic Congressman from Georgia)

Lewis Black – 77 years old (1948) – Comedian, actor (TV’s “The Daily Show”)

Timothy Bottoms – 74 years old (1951) – Aactor (“The Last Picture Show”, “The Paper Chase”, “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course”, TV movie “DC 9/11: Time of Crisis”)

David Paymer – 71 years old (1954) – Actor (“Mr. Saturday Night”, “Quiz Show”, “City Slickers”, “Get Shorty”, “The American President”, “Ocean’s Thirteen”)

Michael Chiklis – 62 years old (1963) – Actor (“Fantastic Four”, TV’s “The Commish”, “The Shield”)

Michael Michele – 59 years old (1966) – Actress (“Ali”, TV’s “ER”, “Homicide: Life on the Street”)

Cameron Diaz – 53 years old (1972) – Actress (“Bad Teacher”, “There’s Something About Mary”, “Charlie’s Angels”, “Vanilla Sky”, “The Mask”)

Lisa Ling – 52 years old (1973) – TV host, correspondent (“This Is Life with Lisa Ling”, “The View”, “Oprah Winfrey Show”)

TODAY IS:

National Beach Day: Beaches are beautiful and amazing to enjoy! But they also need to be taken care of and National Beach Day is a time where people are encouraged to do just that. How to Celebrate National Beach Day Try out some of these ideas for celebrating National Beach Day: Head to...
Frankenstein Day: Dive into the dark and stormy world of the Doctor and the Creature, and read “Frankenstein”, the iconic classic science fiction horror novel by Mary Shelley.
International Cosplay Day: Dressing up as beloved characters and stepping into fictional worlds for a day of fun and connection with like-minded enthusiasts.
International Whale Shark Day: Visit the coast or an aquarium to get a glimpse at the remarkable whale shark, or read up about how you can protect these amazing creatures from extinction.
National Toasted Marshmallow Day: Picture this: a warm, crackling fire, the cool night air, and a deliciously sweet aroma that fills your senses.
Amagwinya Day: Every culture has at least one fried bread dish. For South Africa, that’s the Amagwinya. Find a South African restaurant, or try making your own at home.
National Slinky Day: Everyone loves a slinky, you’re gonna get a slinky, slink-Y, slink-Y, GO SLINKY GO! Send a slinky down the stairs for some good old-fashioned childhood fun.
National Franchise Appreciation Day: Find and support local franchises to help these collaborative businesses stay afloat and offer the best wages and prices possible in our free market system.
National Holistic Pet Day: Consider your pet’s health in a new way on National Holistic Pets Day, a time to consider all aspects of your pet’s health at the same time, not symptom by symptom.
International Day Of The Victims Of Enforced Disappearance: No one expects a goodbye to become forever. When people are taken without warning—then hidden without answers—it tears lives apart. This is what enforced disappearance means. It’s not just a kidnapping. It’s often backed by those in power, leaving no trail and no justice. Families wait for years, some forever...
National Grief Awareness Day: Be there for and support the people in your life you might be grieving a loss, whether by cheering them up, talking with them or just being a shoulder to cry on.
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...
International Bat Night: Find the nearest bat habitat and see if you can spot some of these eco-system-sustaining, adorable, awe-inspiring flying critters on International Bat Night.
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...
Literacy & Numeracy Week: We can all agree that daily life would be much harder without the ability to read, write, and count. Therefore, Literacy & Numeracy Week highlights the importance of these vital skills. This celebration aims to get everyone involved, from young children to adults, in understanding how these skills play a...
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...