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:
1690 – The colony of Massachusetts issued the first paper money in America. The currency was used to pay soldiers that were fighting in the war against Quebec.
1809 – The territory of Illinois was created by the 10th United States Congress.
1815 – The world’s first commercial cheese factory was established in Switzerland.
1838 – The Michigan Central Railroad began service. It took V.I.P.’s from Detroit to Ypsilanti. The cars and engine were hauled back to Detroit by horses after the engine broke down.
1862 – Thomas Edison printed the “Weekly Herald” and distributed it to train passengers traveling between Port Huron and Detroit, MI. It was the first time a newspaper had been printed on a train.
1870 – The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, guaranteeing voting rights to citizens regardless of race.
1913 – The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It authorized the power to impose and collect a federal income tax.
1927 – The Federal Radio Commission is created by President Calvin Coolidge.
1956 – Highway speed limits of 65 mph during the day and 55 mph at night went into effect in Michigan. Prior to this time, motorists could determine their own speed that they felt was safe and reasonable.
1959 – Musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson died when their plane crashed near Clear Lake, IA.
1977 – The airing of the eighth and final night of the television mini-series based on Alex Haley’s “Roots” scored the highest ratings ever for a single TV program.
1983 – The Sony and Philips corporations announce the development of the compact disc.
1984 – John Buster and the research team at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center announced the first embryo transfer, from one woman to another resulting in a live birth.
1984 – Challenger 4 was launched as the tenth Space Shuttle mission (STS-41-B).
1993 – Gloria Estefan received the 1,974th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1995 – Astronaut Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle as mission STS-63 got underway from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
1998 – Novelist Tom Clancy was one of the investors who agreed to buy the Minnesota Vikings for more than $200 million, which was a record price for an NFL team.
2004 – Traces of the poison Ricin were found in Senate majority leader Bill Frist’s office.
2009 – Eric Holder was sworn in as attorney general. He was the first African-American to hold the post.
2015 – The British House of Commons voted to approve letting scientist create babies from the DNA of three people.
2019 – Tom Brady and the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, GA. It was the Pat’s sixth championship.
2020 – The United States declared a Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19.
2023 – A freight train containing vinyl chloride and other hazardous materials derails and burns in East Palestine, OH, releasing hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air and contaminating the Ohio River.
BIRTHDAYS:
Fran Tarkenton – 86 years old (1940) – Football player and sportscaster
Dory Funk – 85 years old (1941) – Jr. , American wrestler and trainer
Blythe Danner – 83 years old (1943) – Actress
Bob Griese – 81 years old (1945) – Football player and sportscaster
Morgan Fairchild – 76 years old (1950) – Actress
Nathan Lane – 70 years old (1956) – Actor and comedian
Lee Ranaldo – 70 years old (1956) – Musician and songwriter
Eric Lander – 69 years old (1957) – Mathematician, geneticist, and academic
Joe F. Edwards – 68 years old (1958) – Jr. , American commander, pilot, and astronaut
Greg Mankiw – 68 years old (1958) – Economist and academic
Thomas Calabro – 67 years old (1959) – Actor
Marty Jannetty – 66 years old (1960) – Wrestler
Michele Greene – 64 years old (1962) – Actress, singer, and author
Maura Tierney – 61 years old (1965) – Actress and producer
Vlade Divac – 58 years old (1968) – Serbian-American basketball player and sportscaster
Elisa Donovan – 55 years old (1971) – Actress
Ayanna Pressley – 52 years old (1974) – Politician
Tim Heidecker – 50 years old (1976) – Actor, comedian, and musician
Maitland Ward – 49 years old (1977) – Actress and model
Becky Bayless – 44 years old (1982) – Wrestler
Bridget Regan – 44 years old (1982) – Actress
Elizabeth Holmes – 42 years old (1984) – Fraudster, founder of Theranos
Matthew Moy – 42 years old (1984) – Actor
Sean Kingston – 36 years old (1990) – American-Jamaican singer-songwriter
James White – 34 years old (1992) – Football player
Tyler Huntley – 28 years old (1998) – Football player
Isaiah Roby – 28 years old (1998) – Basketball player
Tre Mann – 25 years old (2001) – Basketball player
Scoot Henderson – 22 years old (2004) – Basketball player
TODAY IS:
- National Golden Retriever Day: These friendly dogs are a popular breed for families and service work, known for their loyalty, love of people, and enthusiasm for life.
- Doggy Date Night: Pets bring so much joy and quality to the lives of pet owners that it’s important to make sure those pups are feeling loved and cared for!
- National Women Physicians Day: Throughout history, trailblazing women have broken down barriers in medicine, paving the way for future generations of female healers.
- African American Coaches Day: African American Coaches Day is a lively celebration dedicated to recognizing the achievements of African American coaches in various fields. At first glance, the word “coach” might bring to mind whistles, clipboards, and a last-second pep talk. But coaching is bigger than any single arena. It shows up in athletics, certainly...
- National Cordova Ice Worm Day: National Cordova Ice Worm Day is a lively celebration dedicated to one of nature’s most unusual creatures: the ice worm. Found in glacial ice, these tiny, dark worms thrive in conditions that would shut down most other animals, wriggling through snow and ice as if it were perfectly normal to...
- American Painters Day: American Painters Day is a bright little spotlight aimed at the people who have translated American life, landscapes, and ideas into paint. It’s a chance to look closely at the many ways painters have pictured everyday moments, historic turning points, and pure imagination, sometimes all on the same canvas. American painters...
- St. Blaise’s Day: St. Blaise’s Day in Croatia, especially in Dubrovnik, is a vibrant celebration that fills the city with energy and tradition. People from all over gather in Dubrovnik’s streets, adorned with flags and colorful costumes, to honor their patron saint. The festivities kick off with the release of white doves, symbols...
- National Patient Recognition Day: National Patient Recognition Day is a special time set aside to honor patients and highlight their importance in the healthcare system. At first glance, that might sound obvious. Of course, patients matter. But in busy clinics, crowded waiting rooms, and fast-paced hospital units, it can be surprisingly easy for the...
- National Carrot Cake Day: A moist and spiced dessert that's perfect for any occasion, especially if you love vegetables in your sweets! It's simply irresistible.
- National Wedding Ring Day: The wedding ring… It’s more than just a piece of jewelry. It stands for eternal love and commitment between partners. That simple circle symbolizes the unbroken, lifelong bond of marriage. National Wedding Ring Day is a special day dedicated to celebrating the significance of wedding rings in marriages. Couples use this...
- Take a Cruise Day: From dining and entertainment to sightseeing and relaxation, enjoy the open sea and explore exotic ports of call on a dream cruise.
- The Day the Music Died: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper — their timeless music continues to inspire fans, over 60 years after their untimely deaths.
- Elmo’s Birthday: That little furry red monster, always bringing laughter and life lessons to kids, making learning an adventure.
- Feed the Birds Day: The winter months can be hard on birds, which is why Feed the Birds Day is a day that is dedicated to paying attention to the welfare and survival of those little backyard friends!
- Four Chaplains Day: Four Chaplains Day honors a story that feels almost impossibly generous: four U.S. Army chaplains, representing different faith traditions, chose other people’s lives over their own in the worst kind of emergency. Remembered for calm leadership and a final act of shared sacrifice, they are often described as a symbol...
- National Missing Persons Day: Shining a light on unheard stories, advocating for those lost and building awareness for missing individuals.
- Women’s Heart Week: Promoting cardiovascular wellness in women empowers vibrant lives, ensuring resilient hearts beat to life's rhythm.
- Shape Up With Pickles Time: Shape Up With Pickles Time is an exciting event that celebrates everyone's favorite tangy treat, the pickle. This special occasion encourages people to include pickles in their diet while focusing on staying active. The combination of healthy snacking and exercise makes this celebration unique and engaging. From dill to sweet...
- World Interfaith Harmony Week: Imagine a week where the world comes together in a vibrant celebration of faiths, a time known as World Interfaith Harmony Week. Picture communities hosting enlightening dialogues where voices from varied religions share their rich traditions. This is the essence of celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week, a journey of learning...
- 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...
- La Poutine Week: La Poutine Week is a lively celebration dedicated to one of Canada's most beloved dishes. This annual event brings joy to poutine lovers across the country. Restaurants from coast to coast join in, offering their unique takes on the classic fries, cheese curds, and gravy combination. The week is not...
- Pay Your Bills Week: Pay Your Bills Week serves as an important reminder for everyone to stay on top of their financial responsibilities. It's a dedicated time to focus on clearing our dues and preventing financial pitfalls. This week highlights the importance of timely bill payments, which can greatly reduce stress and help maintain a...
- National School Counseling Week: Like superheroes, with tissues and good advice, school counselors help students conquer everything from bullies to bad grades.
- Pride In Foodservice Week: Behind every delicious meal and drink is an army of chefs, servers, and bartenders working to make your dining experience memorable.
- Boy Scouts Anniversary Week: Exploring the great outdoors, learning survival skills, and making new friends – who needs video games when you have camping gear and s'mores?
- Burn Awareness Week: As much as we love the warmth and coziness of fires, it's important to always be cautious and aware of potential hazards.
- National Patient Recognition Week: Acknowledging and valuing those who rely on care and support — a simple yet profound act that keeps the human connection alive.
- African Heritage and Health Week: If you're looking for delicious, healthy cuisine, look no further than the diverse array of African dishes.
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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.

