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:
1741 – Benjamin Franklin published America’s second magazine, “The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle”.
1852 – The Studebaker Brothers wagon company, the precursor of the automobile manufacturer, was established.
1858 – William Vandenburg and James Harvey patented the first ironing board.
1874 – The silver dollar became legal U.S. tender.
1883 – “Ladies Home Journal” began publication.
1897 – The first all-steel railroad car ferry, the Pere Marquette 15, made its first crossing of Lake Michigan from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI. The ferry was built by F.W. Wheeler & Company of Bay City, MI. The ferry departed on the evening of the 16th and arrived in Manitowoc at 7 am the next day, carrying 22 freight cars, the private car of the Flint & Pere Marquette’s General Manager, other railroad dignitaries, and a brass band.
1914 – The first airplane flight between Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA took place.
1923 – Howard Carter unsealed the burial chamber of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen. The next day he entered the chamber with several invited guests. He had originally found the tomb on November 4, 1922.
1932 – The first fruit tree patent was issued to James E. Markham for a peach tree which ripens later than other varieties.
1935 – The first all steam railroad car ferry, the “Pere Marquette”, made its first crossing of Lake Michigan (from Ludington, MI to Manitowac, WI).
1937 – A research chemist for DuPont, Wallace H. Carothers, received a patent for nylon.
1938 – The U.S. Federal Crop Insurance program was authorized.
1946 – The first commercially designed helicopter was tested in Connecticut.
1948 – NBC began airing its first nightly television newscast, “The Camel Newsreel Theatre”, which consisted of Fox Movietone newsreels.
1950 – The television game show “What’s My Line” debuted on CBS.
1959 – Fidel Castro became the leader of Cuba after the overthrow of President Fulgencio Batista on January 1.
1960 – The U.S.S. Triton began the first circumnavigation of the globe under water. The trip ended on May 10.
1961 – Explorer 9 (S-56a) was launched.
1964 – The Beatles appear on television’s “The Ed Sullivan Show” for a second consecutive Sunday. They were broadcasting live from the Deauville Hotel in Miami, FL. They do the songs “She Loves You”, “All My Loving”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, “From Me to You”, and “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. This was the second of the four live appearances they would make on the show.
1968 – The first 9-1-1 emergency telephone system began in Haleyville, AL.
1970 – Joe Frazier became the heavyweight world champion when he knocked out Jimmy Ellis in five rounds. He lost the title on January 22, 1973, when he lost for the first time in his professional career to George Foreman.
1972 – Wilt Chamberlain, of the Los Angeles Lakers, reached the 30,000-point mark in his NBA career during a game against the Phoenix Suns.
1974 – Joe Maka of Grand Haven speared the largest fish ever caught in Michigan waters. He reeled in a 193 pound, 87 inch long Sturgeon at Mullett Lake in Cheboygan County.
1975 – Cher’s weekly variety TV show premiered on CBS with guests Tatum O’Neal, Raquel Welch and Wayne Rogers.
1978 – The first computer bulletin board system was created (CBBS in Chicago, IL).
1988 – Billy Vera received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
1989 – Investigators in Lockerbie, Scotland, announced that a bomb hidden inside a radio-cassette player was the reason that Pan Am Flight 103 was brought down the previous December. All 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground were killed.
1996 – The movie “Happy Gilmore”, starring Adam Sandler, debuted in theaters.
2002 – The operator of a crematory in Noble, GA, was arrested after dozens of corpses were found stacked in storage sheds and scattered around in the surrounding woods.
2005 – The NHL announced the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season due to a labor dispute. It was the first time a major sports league in North America lost an entire season to a labor dispute.
2006 – The last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M*A*S*H) was decommissioned by the United States Army.
2009 – TV’s “Real Housewives of New York City” debuted on Bravo.
BIRTHDAYS:
Bradford Parkinson – 91 years old (1935) – Colonel and engineer
Carl Icahn – 90 years old (1936) – Businessman and investor
John Corigliano – 88 years old (1938) – Composer and academic
Richard Ford – 82 years old (1944) – Novelist and short story writer
William Katt – 75 years old (1951) – Actor
Roberta Williams – 73 years old (1953) – Video game designer, co-founded Sierra Entertainment
LeVar Burton – 69 years old (1957) – Actor, director, and producer
Natalie Angier – 68 years old (1958) – Author
Ice-T – 68 years old (1958) – Rapper and actor
Herb Williams – 68 years old (1958) – Basketball player and coach
John McEnroe – 67 years old (1959) – Tennis player and sportscaster
Kelly Tripucka – 67 years old (1959) – Basketball player and sportscaster
Dave Lombardo – 61 years old (1965) – Cuban-American musician and songwriter
Michael Avenatti – 55 years old (1971) – Attorney and pundit
Jerome Bettis – 54 years old (1972) – Football player
Sarah Clarke – 54 years old (1972) – Actress
Mahershala Ali – 52 years old (1974) – Actor
Eric Byrnes – 50 years old (1976) – Baseball player and sportscaster
Ian Clarke – 49 years old (1977) – Irish-American computer scientist, founded Hyphanet
Ahman Green – 49 years old (1977) – Football player
John Tartaglia – 48 years old (1978) – Actor, singer, and puppeteer
Eric Mun – 47 years old (1979) – American-South Korean singer and actor
Longineu W. Parsons III – 46 years old (1980) – French-American musician and songwriter
Jerry Owens – 45 years old (1981) – Baseball player
Qyntel Woods – 45 years old (1981) – Basketball player
Manny Delcarmen – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player
Lupe Fiasco – 44 years old (1982) – Rapper
Stacy Lewis – 41 years old (1985) – Golfer
Shawne Williams – 40 years old (1986) – Basketball player
Tommy Milone – 39 years old (1987) – Baseball player
Jon Ossoff – 39 years old (1987) – Politician and filmmaker
Elizabeth Olsen – 37 years old (1989) – Actress
Ava Max – 32 years old (1994) – Singer and songwriter
Denzel Curry – 31 years old (1995) – Rapper
Jordan Greenway – 29 years old (1997) – Ice hockey player
Coby White – 26 years old (2000) – Basketball player
TODAY IS:
- National Almond Day: This small but mighty nut is packed with protein and healthy fats, making it a great snack to keep you fueled throughout the day.
- Islander Day: Islander Day is a midwinter pause built especially for Prince Edward Island, Canada, when the pace slows and the word “busy” gets gently escorted out the door. It is designed for rest, reconnection, and a little seasonal fun, whether that means bundling up for outdoor adventures or leaning hard into...
- Daisy Gatson Bates Day: Daisy Gatson Bates Day is a lively celebration dedicated to a trailblazer in the civil rights movement. This day honors Daisy Gatson Bates, who played a crucial role in the fight for school integration in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her courage and leadership made a significant impact on the movement for equality...
- Innovation Day: Unleash your creative spark and brainstorm ideas that will shake things up! Be the one to make a difference and ignite change.
- Elizabeth Peratrovich Day: Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebrates an incredible woman's fight for equality. This day honors Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Tlingit woman who played a key role in passing Alaska's Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. Her efforts led to this landmark law, which was the first of its kind in the United States. Elizabeth Peratrovich Day...
- Kyoto Protocol Day: Kyoto Protocol Day marks a significant event in global environmental efforts. It celebrates the collective commitment of countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The day emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change. Through various activities and events, the day inspires individuals and organizations to contribute to a...
- National Do a Grouch a Favor Day: Helping out a prickly pal with a favor might just turn their frown upside down, and that's a pretty cool feeling.
- National Tim Tam Day: An irresistible chocolatey treat from Down Under, with its unique way of making any moment sweeter and more delightful.
- Bolludagur [Cream Bun Day]: Bolludagur, affectionately known as "Cream Bun Day," is a cherished Icelandic celebration that marks the start of a three-day festivity. The day is all about indulgence, with the star of the show being the delightful cream-filled buns. These buns, filled with whipped cream and often topped with chocolate, are a...
- Family Day: Through thick and thin, they stand by our side, teaching us the true meaning of acceptance, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
- Presidents’ Day: Leaders' achievements are celebrated, flags fly high, and a break from the usual hustle gives everyone a moment to relax.
- Carnival of Brazil: Samba music, vibrant costumes, and non-stop dancing—this annual festival in Rio de Janeiro is the ultimate party experience you won't forget!
- National Nest Box Week: If you want to invite more birds to your yard, consider putting up some cozy little homes for these feathered friends!
- Goa Carnival: The Goa Carnival is a vibrant festival that takes over the streets with a wave of color, music, and celebration. It lasts for several days and is marked by grand parades filled with dazzling floats, energetic dancers, and talented musicians. The excitement begins with a spirited procession led by "King...
- Carnaval de Barranquilla: If you ever visit Carnaval de Barranquilla, you'll find yourself immersed in a whirlwind of color and music. The entire city transforms into a giant celebration, with lively parades and dazzling costumes at every turn. Streets become stages where everyone participates, moving to the infectious rhythms of cumbia and vallenato...
- Real Bread Week: Real bread is a joy to behold! Made with natural ingredients and baked to perfection, each bite is a heavenly experience.
- The Carnival of Binche: The Carnival of Binche is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets with color, music, and joy. Crowds gather to witness the lively parade of masked participants, known as Gilles, who throw oranges into the cheering crowd. The Carnival of Binche honors tradition and community spirit. It celebrates the town's...
- Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
- National Condom Week: Staying safe and responsible, these essential items help ensure intimate moments are worry-free and protected for all involved.
- Love Teaching Week: Love Teaching Week is a vibrant celebration that spotlights educators' passion for their work. This annual event brings teachers together to reflect on the joy, fulfillment, and personal meaning they find in their profession. During the week, educators across the globe share their inspiring stories and moments of connection with...
- Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week: Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week is a time to celebrate unity and friendship among all people. It encourages everyone to appreciate each other's differences and build stronger bonds. By participating in this week, people learn to support and uplift one another. This spirit of unity helps create a more peaceful and loving...
- National Drink Wine with Your Cat Week: National Drink Wine With Your Cat Week is exactly what it sounds like—an excuse to relax with your favorite furry roommate. You sip your glass of wine, they lap up a cat‑friendly drink made just for them. It’s not real wine, of course—just a fun mix with catnip and beet...
- National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
- Through with the Chew: Through with the Chew is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco. This day aims to inform the public about the severe health risks associated with chewing tobacco, such as cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. How to Celebrate Through with the Chew Get...
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week: Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week focuses on the education and training of those who care for individuals with these conditions. This special event highlights the importance of providing caregivers with the knowledge and skills they need to offer the best possible care. This week's training covers various...
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week is a vital time dedicated to spreading knowledge about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This week is crucial because it highlights the challenges faced by individuals with this severe genetic disorder. The goal is to increase understanding and support for those affected, encouraging the public to...
- Build a Better Trade Show Image Week: Build a Better Trade Show Image Week is an exciting event focused on enhancing how businesses present themselves at trade shows. This special week highlights the importance of creating a compelling trade show presence. Trade shows offer a unique opportunity to connect directly with potential customers, making it crucial for...
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