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:
1798 – David Wilkinson of Rhode Island patented the nut and bolt machine.
1819 – Alabama became the 22nd U.S. state.
1836 – Michigan traded Ohio the Toledo strip for the Upper Peninsula.
1903 – Orville Wright made the first attempt at powered flight, but the engine stalled during take-off. The plane, the Wright Flyer, was damaged in the attempt. Repairs were made and three days later the modern aviation age was born when the plane stayed aloft for 12 seconds and flew 102 feet in Kitty Hawk, NC.
1911 – Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole. He reached the destination 35 days ahead of Captain Robert F. Scott.
1929 – The Kalamazoo Airport became the first municipal airport in the state of Michigan.
1946 – The U.N. General Assembly voted to establish the United Nation’s headquarters in New York, NY.
1962 – The U.S. space probe Mariner II became the first spacecraft to fly by Venus. It transmitted information about the planet’s atmosphere and surface temperature.
1964 – I-196 opened in Grand Rapids, MI. The city became the first in the nation to have two freeways intersect its downtown.
1969 – The Jackson 5 made their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”.
1977 – The movie “Saturday Night Fever”, starring John Travolta, premiered in New York, NY.
1984 – Howard Cosell retired from the NFL’s “Monday Night Football”.
1984 – David Lynch’s film adaptation of Frank Hebert’s novel, “Dune”, premiered in theaters.
1986 – The experimental aircraft Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, took off from California on the first non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world. The trip took nine days to complete.
1987 – Chrysler pleaded no contest to federal charges of selling several thousand vehicles as new when Chrysler employees had driven the vehicles with the odometer disconnected.
1987 – “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” cartoon debuted.
1988 – CBS won the exclusive rights to major league baseball’s 1990-94 seasons for $1.1 billion.
1988 – The first transatlantic underwater fiber-optic cable went into service.
1996 – Mario Kart 64, the first 3D game of the series, debuted.
1999 – Charles M. Schulz announced his retirement. The last original “Peanuts” comic strip was published on February 13, 2000.
2004 – The Martin Scorsese film, “The Aviator”, starring Leonard DiCarprio, premiered in theaters. It would be nominated for 11 Oscars.
2008 – Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at then President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq.
2011 – Fireworks became legal again in Michigan. The Michigan legislature passed a ban on the sale of fireworks back in 1927. That ban was lifted in 2011.
2012 – Twenty-eight people, including the gunman, were killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Sandy Hook, CT.
2015 – The Star Wars movie sequel “Episode Seven: The Force Awakens” premiered in Los Angeles, CA.
2015 – The city of Flint, Michigan, declared a State of Emergency over contaminated water supplies.
2017 – The Walt Disney Company announced that it would acquire 21st Century Fox, including the 20th Century Fox movie studio, for $52.4 billion
BIRTHDAYS:
Abbe Lane – 93 years old (1932) – Actress, singer, and dancer
Emmett Tyrrell – 82 years old (1943) – Journalist, author, and publisher, founded The American Spectator
Michael Ovitz – 79 years old (1946) – Talent agent, co-founded Creative Artists Agency
Stan Smith – 79 years old (1946) – Tennis player and coach
Joyce Vincent Wilson – 79 years old (1946) – Singer
Christopher Parkening – 78 years old (1947) – Guitarist and educator
Dee Wallace – 77 years old (1948) – Actress
David A. Cherry – 76 years old (1949) – Artist and illustrator
John Brown – 74 years old (1951) – Basketball player
John Lurie – 73 years old (1952) – Actor, saxophonist, painter, director, and producer
Jill Pipher – 70 years old (1955) – Mathematician and academic
T. K. Carter – 69 years old (1956) – Actor
Bob Paris – 66 years old (1959) – American-Canadian bodybuilder and actor
James Comey – 65 years old (1960) – Lawyer, 7th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Don Franklin – 65 years old (1960) – Actor
Diane Williams – 65 years old (1960) – Sprinter
William Bedford – 62 years old (1963) – Basketball player
Cynthia Gibb – 62 years old (1963) – Actress and model
Dino Stamatopoulos – 61 years old (1964) – Writer, producer, and actor
Craig Biggio – 60 years old (1965) – Baseball player and coach
Ken Hill – 60 years old (1965) – Baseball player
Ted Raimi – 60 years old (1965) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
Scott Hatteberg – 56 years old (1969) – Baseball player and sportscaster
Archie Kao – 56 years old (1969) – Actor and producer
Michaela Watkins – 54 years old (1971) – Actor and comedian
Marcus Jensen – 53 years old (1972) – Baseball player and coach
Billy Koch – 51 years old (1974) – Baseball player
Justin Furstenfeld – 50 years old (1975) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
KaDee Strickland – 50 years old (1975) – Actress
Tammy Blanchard – 49 years old (1976) – Actress and singer
Leland Chapman – 49 years old (1976) – Bounty hunter
Kyle Shanahan – 46 years old (1979) – Football coach
Johnny Jeter – 44 years old (1981) – Wrestler
Shaun Marcum – 44 years old (1981) – Baseball player
Josh Fields – 43 years old (1982) – Baseball player
Jackson Rathbone – 41 years old (1984) – Actor, singer, and musician
Kenneth Medwood – 38 years old (1987) – Belizean-American hurdler
Nate Ebner – 37 years old (1988) – Football player
Vanessa Hudgens – 37 years old (1988) – Actress and singer
Robert Covington – 35 years old (1990) – Basketball player
Offset – 34 years old (1991) – Rapper
Tori Kelly – 33 years old (1992) – Singer-songwriter
Barbie Ferreira – 29 years old (1996) – Actress and model
DK Metcalf – 28 years old (1997) – Football player
Lonnie Walker IV – 27 years old (1998) – Basketball player
Joshua Rush – 24 years old (2001) – Actor and activist
TODAY IS:
- Monkey Day: Spend a day at the zoo with these cheeky creatures, throw a monkey-themed fancy dress party or fundraise to protect these precious primates.
- National Alabama Day: National Alabama Day celebrates the rich culture and contributions of the state known as the Heart of Dixie. It honors Alabama’s significant role in the nation, from its natural beauty and historical landmarks to its vibrant traditions and unique cuisine. This day encourages everyone to appreciate what makes Alabama special...
- Green Monday: Surprise your loved ones with thoughtful gifts! Last-minute shopping can be stressful, but it's never too late to spread some holiday cheer.
- National Screwdriver Day: Crafted elixirs merging zesty citrus with spirited potency, these libations are an invitation to savor the vibrant essence of mixology.
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day: Innovative leaders blend business acumen and environmental stewardship, creating a sustainable legacy that shapes industries and nurtures our planet.
- More Good Today Day: More Good Today Day is a day dedicated to spreading kindness and generosity. It's a time when people focus on doing good deeds, whether big or small. The aim is to create a positive impact on those around us, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful actions in our daily lives. This...
- Halcyon Days: Halcyon Days, celebrated on December 14th each year, is a time filled with warmth and reflection. It's not just a day but a symbol of calm and peace, deeply rooted in ancient mythology that speaks to the power of memory and the importance of cherishing blissful moments from our past...
- National Bouillabaisse Day: The name is a bit of a mouthful, but bouillabaisse is a hearty meal that you might not have heard of -- but even so, it deserves its own dedicated day. A bouillabaisse is a fish stew or soup dish, which originally came from France - as the name might suggest...
- Roast Chestnuts Day: On chilly evenings, the streets come alive with a warm, toasty aroma that wraps you in comfort and coziness.
- Monkey Around Day: Monkey Around Day flips the script on ordinary. It’s a playful pause, a break from routines that often feel too tight. One minute you’re walking to the kitchen, the next you’re dancing with a mop. It invites us to act silly on purpose—jump on the couch, make up songs, wear...
- Martyred Intellectuals Day: Have you ever paused to think about how powerful ideas can be? Martyred Intellectuals Day in Bangladesh is all about that. It’s a day that honors the writers, teachers, doctors, and artists who were killed for using their voices. They didn’t carry weapons—they carried words, thoughts, and dreams. These people helped...
- Free Shipping Day: Who doesn't love free shipping? It's like a gift from the shopping gods. No worrying about extra fees or hidden charges.
- 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...
- Christmas Bird Count Week: Christmas Bird Count Week is exciting for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers. During this week, thousands of volunteers across multiple countries joined forces to count and document bird species. This event is fun and crucial for gathering important data about bird populations. The observations help scientists track bird numbers 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...
- 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.
