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:
1797 – Albany became the capital of New York state, replacing New York City.
1808 – The United States prohibited importation of slaves from Africa.
1818 – English author Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstien” was published.
1840 – The first recorded bowling match was recorded in the U.S.
1863 – President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in the rebel states were free.
1870 – The Grand River Valley Railroad began service when it’s first train (Engine “Muskegon” and six cars) arrived in Grand Rapids, MI from Jackson, MI.
1879 – The present State Capitol building in Lansing, MI was dedicated.
1892 – Ellis Island Immigrant Station formally opened in New York, NY.
1892 – Brooklyn and New York merged to form the single city of New York.
1895 – In Battle Creek, MI, C.W. Post created his first usable batch of Monks Brew (later called Postum). It was a cereal-based substitute for caffeinated drinks.
1902 – The first Tournament of Roses (later the Rose Bowl) collegiate football game was played in Pasadena, CA between Michigan and Stanford.
1909 – The first payments of old-age pensions were made in Britain. People over 70 received five shillings a week.
1913 – The post office began parcel post deliveries.
1916 – The Pantlind Hotel (now the Amway Grand Plaza) opened to the public in Grand Rapids, MI.
1924 – Frank B. Cooney received a patent for ink paste.
1926 – The Rose Bowl was carried coast to coast on network radio for the first time.
1934 – Alcatraz Island officially became a Federal Prison.
1934 – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) began operation.
1939 – The Hewlett-Packard partnership was formed by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard.
1942 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill issued a declaration called the “United Nations.” It was signed by 26 countries that vowed to create an international postwar World War II peacekeeping organization.
1954 – NBC made the first coast-to-cost color broadcast when it telecast the Tournament of Roses Parade. There were public demonstrations given across the U.S. on prototype color receivers.
1959 – Fidel Castro overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista, and seized power in Cuba.
1971 – Tobacco ads representing $20 million dollars in advertising were banned from TV and radio broadcast.
1972 – Michigan lawmakers reduced the legal drinking age from 21 to 18. It remained in effect for seven years (until a petition drive to change it).
1975 – The magazine “Popular Electronics” announced the invention of a person computer called Altair. MITS, using an Intel microprocessor, developed the computer.
1983 – The ARPANET officially changed to using the Internet Protocol, creating the internet.
1984 – AT&T was broken up into 22 Bell System companies under terms of an antitrust agreement with the U.S. Federal government.
1985 – VH-1 premiered as an adult contemporary music video channel with Marvin Gaye’s “Star Spangled Banner” video.
1985 – The Internet’s Domain Name System was created.
1990 – David Dinkins was sworn in as New York City’s first black mayor.
1992 – The ESPN Radio Network was officially launched.
1993 – The TV show “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman” premiered.
1994 – The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect.
1995 – The Gary Larson cartoon, “The Far Side”, appeared in daily newspapers for the last time. It first appeared on December 31, 1979.
1998 – A new anti-smoking law went into effect in California. The law prohibits people from lighting up in bars.
1999 – The euro became currency for 11 Member States of the European Union. Coins and notes were not available until January 1, 2002.
1999 – In California, a law went into effect that defined “invasion of privacy as trespassing with the intent to capture audio or video images of a celebrity or crime victim engaging in a personal of family activity.”
1999 – Two new networks, Biography and DIY Network, debuted.
2007 – Binney & Smith Company became Crayola LLC under its parent company Hallmark.
BIRTHDAYS:
Vernon L. Smith – 99 years old (1927) – Economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
Gerhard Weinberg – 98 years old (1928) – German-American historian, author, and academic
Frederick Wiseman – 96 years old (1930) – Director and producer
James Sinegal – 90 years old (1936) – Businessman, co-founded Costco
Frank Langella – 88 years old (1938) – Actor
Senfronia Thompson – 87 years old (1939) – Politician
Dennis Archer – 84 years old (1942) – Lawyer and politician, 67th Mayor of Detroit
Country Joe McDonald – 84 years old (1942) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Tony Knowles – 83 years old (1943) – Soldier and politician, 7th Governor of Alaska
Don Novello – 83 years old (1943) – Comedian, screenwriter and producer
Jimmy Hart – 82 years old (1944) – Professional wrestling manager
Victor Ashe – 81 years old (1945) – Politician and former United States Ambassador to Poland
Jimmy Jones – 81 years old (1945) – Basketball player
Claude Steele – 80 years old (1946) – Social psychologist and academic
Jon Corzine – 79 years old (1947) – Sergeant and politician, 54th Governor of New Jersey
Gary Johnson – 73 years old (1953) – Businessman and politician, 29th Governor of New Mexico
Richard Edson – 72 years old (1954) – Actor
Bob Menendez – 72 years old (1954) – Lawyer and politician
Dave Silk – 68 years old (1958) – Ice hockey player
Milo Aukerman – 63 years old (1963) – Singer and songwriter
Dedee Pfeiffer – 62 years old (1964) – Actress
Morris Chestnut – 57 years old (1969) – Actor
Sammie Henson – 55 years old (1971) – Wrestler and coach
Bobby Holík – 55 years old (1971) – Czech-American ice hockey player and coach
Joe Cannon – 51 years old (1975) – Soccer player and sportscaster
Tank – 50 years old (1976) – Singer, songwriter, producer, and actor
Elin Nordegren – 46 years old (1980) – Swedish-American model
Eden Riegel – 45 years old (1981) – Actress
Glen Davis – 40 years old (1986) – Basketball player
Gia Coppola – 39 years old (1987) – Director and screenwriter
Meryl Davis – 39 years old (1987) – Ice dancer
Dallas Keuchel – 38 years old (1988) – Baseball player
Jason Pierre-Paul – 37 years old (1989) – Football player
Glen Rice Jr. – 35 years old (1991) – Basketball player
Darius Slay – 35 years old (1991) – Football player
Xavier Su'a-Filo – 35 years old (1991) – Football player
Larry Nance Jr. – 33 years old (1993) – Basketball player
LaMonte Wade Jr. – 32 years old (1994) – Baseball player
Poppy – 31 years old (1995) – Singer and YouTube personality
Noah Kahan – 29 years old (1997) – Singer-songwriter
Ice Spice – 26 years old (2000) – Rapper
TODAY IS:
- Polar Bear Plunge Day: Taking a chilly plunge, all for a noble cause — uniting people in a frozen adventure to support those in need.
- National Bloody Mary Day: Start your morning with a refreshing tomato juice and vodka cocktail, swap in different spirits or pair with crackers, olives and cheese.
- Global Family Day: Each year, Global Family Day comes with opportunities to celebrate the importance of the family unit as a building block for a better tomorrow.
- Mummer’s Parade: The Mummer's Parade, a festive and colorful celebration, occurs annually in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Locals dress in vibrant costumes, play lively music, and perform entertaining skits that draw crowds into a joyful festival. Thousands of participants from various types of Mummer clubs parade along Broad Street, making it one of the oldest...
- National Hangover Day: Spare a moment for anyone who has ever been to a New Year’s Eve party and had a bit too much to drink...
- Ellis Island Day: An historic gateway where countless dreams embarked, welcoming diverse stories from distant lands and shaping the American tapestry.
- Commitment Day: Sticking to promises made, and showing up when it counts, proves that dedication runs deep.
- Ring a Bell Day: Creating joyful melodies that resonate, the sound that marks moments of celebration, togetherness, and the simple pleasure of sharing happiness.
- National First Foot Day: Welcome the new year with a Scottish twist! Be the first to cross a threshold after midnight to ensure prosperity in the coming year.
- Apple Gifting Day: An apple a day keeps the blues away! The perfect gift for teachers, colleagues, and anyone who needs a little extra sweetness in their life.
- Euro Day: Travelers across Europe often find themselves exchanging these colorful bills, each note a symbol of unity in this continent's rich tapestry.
- New Year’s Dishonor List Day: Expressing yourself with fresh language is always in fashion, but avoid using tired cliches and worn-out buzzwords.
- Copyright Law Day: In the realm of creative ownership, there's an invisible shield that guards an artist's work, ensuring it's respected and rewarded.
- Z Day: Move over, A's and B's - it's Z's time to shine! Let's give those Z names a chance to lead the pack for once!
- Rose Bowl Game: The roar of the crowd, the thrill of the game, the excitement of the plays — an unforgettable experience under bright stadium lights.
- World Day of Peace: Imagine a world where everyone is happy, healthy, and kind; a place where people come together to create a better future for everyone.
- New Year’s Day: As the new year begins, now is the perfect time to set goals and make positive changes in your life. Start the year off on the right foot and make this year your best yet!
- Sudan National Day: Exploring the resilience and rich cultural heritage of Sudanese communities sheds light on their journey and challenges.
- Haitian Independence Day: Celebrating the triumphant moment when a nation broke free, inspiring hope, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.
- Triumph of the Revolution: In 1959, a group of rebels overthrew the Cuban government, sparking a revolution that would transform the country.
- Solemnity of Mary: Celebrating the Mother of Jesus through prayer, reflection, and attending mass, this marks a time to honor Mary's role in Christianity.
- 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...
- Kwanzaa: Uniting in cultural richness, illuminating principles like unity, purpose, and creativity through vibrant rituals and meaningful gatherings.
- 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...
- Diet Resolution Week: Exploring vibrant, nutrient-rich choices to fuel vitality and well-being, embracing a refreshed approach to nourishment.
- Universal Hour of Peace: Join millions around the world in a moment of global harmony and positivity. Let's spread love, kindness, and hope to all.
- Saint Basil’s Day: Celebrated in Orthodox Christianity, this saint's feast day is marked with traditional meals, religious services, and cultural festivities. His legacy continues to inspire many followers worldwide.
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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.
