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:
1719 – The first recorded sighting of the aurora borealis took place in New England.
1769 – Edward Beran of London received a patent for venetian blinds.
1816 – Indiana was admitted to the Union to become the 19th American state.
1844 – Dr. Horace Wells became the first person to have a tooth extracted after receiving an anesthetic. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) was the anesthetic.
1901 – Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio signal.
1929 – Stout Airlines, which had been flying between Grand Rapids, MI and Detroit, MI, and was the country’s first scheduled airline, became the USA’s first airline to carry 100,000 passengers.
1929 – Kellogg of Battle Creek, MI was incorporated.
1934 – Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, took his last drink and entered treatment for the last time.
1941 – Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. The U.S in turn declared war on the two countries.
1946 – The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established by the U.N. General Assembly. The fund provided relief to children in countries devastated by war.
1957 – Jerry Lee Lewis secretly married his 13-year-old third cousin Myra Gale Brown. The marriage caused Lewis to be banned from many radio stations and he was dropped from Dick Clark’s shows.
1972 – Apollo 17 became the sixth and last Apollo mission to land on the Moon.
1980 – President Jimmy Carter signed into law legislation creating $1.6 billion environmental “superfund” that would be used to pay for cleaning up chemical spills and toxic waste dumps.
1980 – The TV show “Magnum, P.I.”, starring Tom Selleck, debuted on TV.
1981 – Muhammad Ali fought for the last time, losing to Trevor Berbick.
1985 – The single “The Super Bowl Shuffle”, by Chicago Bears Shufflin’ Crew, was released.
1985 – The General Electric Company agreed to buy RCA Corporation for $6.3 billion. Also included in the deal was NBC Radio and Television.
1987 – Charlie Chaplin’s trademark cane and bowler hat were sold at Christie’s for $139,000.
1987 – The movie “Wall Street”, starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen, premiered in theaters.
1990 – Ivana Trump was divorced from Donald Trump after 12 years of marriage.
1991 – The movie “Hook”, starring Robin Williams, premiered in theaters.
1991 – William Kennedy Smith was found not guilty of rape charges.
1991 – Salman Rushdie, under an Islamic death sentence for blasphemy, made his first public appearance since 1989 in New York, NY, at a dinner marking the 200th anniversary of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech in the U.S.
1992 – The movie “The Muppet Christmas Carol” premiered in theaters.
1996 – In Crystal City, VA, “The Art of the Toy” opened. The exhibit was at the Patent and Trademark Office Museum.
1998 – Scientists announced that they had deciphered the entire genetic blueprint of a tiny worm.
1998 – The Mars Climate Orbiter blasted off on a nine-month journey to the Red Planet. The probe disappeared in September of 1999, apparently destroyed because scientists had failed to convert English measures to metric values.
1998 – Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee push through three articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton.
1999 – President Bill Clinton admitted that the official policy toward gays in the military was not being carried out as intended, due to military leaders’ lack of enforcement.
2000 – Mario Lemieux, owner of Pittsburgh Penquins, announced that he would end his three-plus year retirement and become an active National Hockey League player again. When Lemieux returned officially he became the first owner/player in NHL history.
2001 – Ted Turner purchased 12,000 acres in Nebraska for bison ranching.
2001 – Federal agents seized computers in 27 U.S. cities as part of “Operation Buccaneer.” The raids were used to gain evidence against an international software piracy ring.
2007 – TV’s “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek suffered a heart attack but survived and ultimately returned to the show.
2008 – Bernard Madoff was arrested and charged with securities fraud in a $50 billion Ponzi scheme.
2009 – The game “Angry Birds” was released.
2013 – Standard & Poors announced that Facebook would join its S&P 500 index “after the close of trading on December 20.”
2020 – The Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine — the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved.
BIRTHDAYS:
Thomas McGuane – 86 years old (1939) – Novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter
David Gates – 85 years old (1940) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
Donna Mills – 85 years old (1940) – Actress and producer
Max Baucus – 84 years old (1941) – Lawyer, politician, and diplomat, 11th United States Ambassador to China
John Kerry – 82 years old (1943) – Lieutenant, lawyer, and politician, 68th United States Secretary of State
Jon Garrison – 81 years old (1944) – Tenor and educator
Lynda Day George – 81 years old (1944) – Actress
Brenda Lee – 81 years old (1944) – Singer-songwriter
Diana Palmer – 79 years old (1946) – Journalist and author
Bess Armstrong – 72 years old (1953) – Actress
Brad Bryant – 71 years old (1954) – Golfer
Jermaine Jackson – 71 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter, bass player, and producer
Gene Grossman – 70 years old (1955) – Economist and academic
Stu Jackson – 70 years old (1955) – Basketball player, coach, and manager
Lani Brockman – 69 years old (1956) – Actress and director
Peter Bagge – 68 years old (1957) – Author and illustrator
Tom Shadyac – 67 years old (1958) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Nikki Sixx – 67 years old (1958) – Bass player, songwriter, and producer
Dave King – 64 years old (1961) – Irish-American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Ben Browder – 63 years old (1962) – Actor
Dave Schools – 61 years old (1964) – Singer-songwriter, bass player, and producer
Jay Bell – 60 years old (1965) – Baseball player and coach
Gary Dourdan – 59 years old (1966) – Actor
Mo'Nique – 58 years old (1967) – Comedian, actress, and producer
Katy Steding – 58 years old (1967) – Basketball player and coach
Max Martini – 56 years old (1969) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
Victoria Fuller – 55 years old (1970) – Model and actress
Willie McGinest – 54 years old (1971) – Football player and sportscaster
Mos Def – 52 years old (1973) – Rapper
Rey Mysterio – 51 years old (1974) – Wrestler
Lisa Ortiz – 51 years old (1974) – Theatre and voice actress
Shareef Abdur-Rahim – 49 years old (1976) – Basketball player, coach, and manager
Roy Wood – 47 years old (1978) – Jr. , American comedian, actor, and radio host
Colleen Hoover – 46 years old (1979) – Author
Rider Strong – 46 years old (1979) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Rebekkah Brunson – 44 years old (1981) – Basketball player and coach
Jason Kennedy – 44 years old (1981) – Journalist
Jeff McComsey – 44 years old (1981) – Author and illustrator
Roman Harper – 43 years old (1982) – Football player
James Ellsworth – 41 years old (1984) – Wrestler
Xosha Roquemore – 41 years old (1984) – Actress
Roy Hibbert – 39 years old (1986) – Basketball player
Clifton Geathers – 38 years old (1987) – Football player
Alexa Demie – 35 years old (1990) – Actress and singer
Tiffany Alvord – 33 years old (1992) – Singer-songwriter
Malcolm Brogdon – 33 years old (1992) – Basketball player
Hailee Steinfeld – 29 years old (1996) – Actress, singer and songwriter
Matthew Tkachuk – 28 years old (1997) – Ice hockey player
Onyeka Okongwu – 25 years old (2000) – Basketball player
TODAY IS:
- Christmas Jumper Day: Christmas Jumper Day brings a burst of color and joy to the holiday season. People across the country wear their most festive sweaters, creating a sea of bright patterns and cheerful designs. It's a fun way to spread the holiday spirit and make everyone smile! Schools, offices, and homes are filled...
- National Tango Day: National Tango Day is a celebration of Argentina's most iconic dance form. It honors not only the captivating movements of the tango but also its deep cultural roots within the nation. The tango is more than a dance; it tells stories of connection, emotion, and shared experiences. From the bustling streets...
- National Have a Bagel Day: A delightful morning treat — round and satisfying, toasted to perfection and topped with a variety of delicious spreads.
- International Mountain Day: Take a scenic hike or drive up a nearby peak, try adventurous sports like mountain biking and skiing or camp out and sleep under the stars.
- UNICEF Day for Change: Extending a helping hand to children worldwide, making a meaningful difference through a renowned global organization.
- National App Day: National App Day celebrates the incredible impact of apps on our daily lives. Apps have revolutionized how we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. From ordering food to tracking fitness goals, there’s an app for nearly everything. On this day, we recognize the innovation and convenience that apps bring, making life...
- Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day: Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day is a wonderful event that highlights the need to care for animals during the holiday season. This special day brings attention to animals in shelters, rescues, and those living on the streets, ensuring they get the food and care they deserve. It's a...
- National Stretching Day: National Stretching Day shines a spotlight on the simple act of stretching, encouraging everyone to take a moment to move and breathe. It's a reminder that even small movements can have a big impact on how we feel. Stretching helps us feel more awake, less stiff, and ready to take...
- Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster: The Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster is a key date that celebrates Canada's legal independence from Britain. This day is important because it marks Canada's legislative autonomy, allowing it to make its own laws without British approval. The Statute of Westminster was a pivotal step in Canada's journey towards...
- National Noodle Ring Day: With Christmas so close around the corner, in December it's easy to overlook some of the most unusual days honoring some of the more unusual foodstuffs. But this time of year is just as good a time as any to learn about noodle rings, and celebrate just how tasty they...
- Zagreb Advent: Zagreb Advent is a magical celebration that transforms Croatia's capital into a winter wonderland. The streets light up with festive decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Wooden stalls filled with handmade crafts and delicious treats line the squares, and the air is filled with the scent of mulled wine and...
- Advent: Advent marks a period of eager anticipation and preparation for Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Each year, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which can fall anywhere between November 27 and December 3, ending on Christmas Eve, December 24. This timing reminds us that the holiday...
- Clerc-Gallaudet Week: Clerc-Gallaudet Week is a special time when people stop and recognize two key figures who changed Deaf education in America. Laurent Clerc and Thomas Gallaudet weren’t just teachers — they were trailblazers who believed every Deaf child deserved a chance to learn and be heard. Their teamwork opened the door for...
- National Handwashing Awareness Week: National Handwashing Awareness Week highlights the importance of keeping our hands clean. This week reminds us how simple actions can protect our health. Clean hands can stop the spread of germs, making everyone safer. Handwashing is celebrated for many reasons. First, it reduces the risk of getting sick. By washing hands...
- Blue Christmas: While most people are at home opening presents, emergency workers are on duty, ensuring the safety of their communities over the holidays.
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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.
