January 22

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:

1813 – Near Monroe…Michigan’s bloodiest battle of the War of 1812 was fought.

1849 – Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman granted a medical degree in the United States.

1874 – Samuel W. Francis received a patent for the spork.

1889 – The Columbia Phonograph Company was formed in Washington, DC.

1902 – The Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club was organized. The American Legion Building on the east bank of the Grand River in Comstock Park, MI, just north of the North Park bridge, was originally the clubhouse. The building was destroyed by fire on December 24, 1964.

1930 – In New York, NY excavation began for the Empire State Building.

1947 – In Hollywood, CA KTLA, Channel 5, began operation as the first commercial television station west of the Mississippi River.

1961 – Wilma Rudolph, set a world indoor record in the women’s 60-yard dash. She ran the race in 6.9 seconds.

1968 – Apollo 5 lifted off carrying the first Lunar module into space.

1968 – The television show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” debuted on NBC. It aired until 1973.

1970 – The first regularly scheduled commercial flight of the Boeing 747 “Jumbo Jet” began in New York, NY and ended in London about 6-1/2 hours later.

1973 – In HBO’s first televised boxing match, Joe Frazier lost the first fight of his professional career to George Foreman. Frazier had been the undefeated heavyweight world champion since February 16, 1970, when he knocked out Jimmy Ellis.

1973 – The Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe vs. Wade, which effectively legalized abortion.

1984 – The TV show “Airwolf” debuted on CBS.

1984 – During the third quarter of Super Bowl XVIII, Apple introduced the Macintosh, the first computer to use point-and-click technology. The computer was introduced in the famous “1984” Apple commercial.

1987 – Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer shot and killed himself during a televised press conference, leading to debates on boundaries in journalism.

1987 – Phil Donahue became the first talk show host to tape a show from inside the Soviet Union. The shows aired later in 1987.

1990 – Robert Tappan Morris was convicted of releasing the 1988 Internet Computer worm.

1997 – The U.S. Senate confirmed Madeleine Albright as the first female Secretary of State.

1998 – Theodore Kaczynski pleaded guilty to federal charges for his role as the Unabomber. He agreed to serve life in prison without parole.

2000 – Elian Gonzalez’s grandmothers met privately with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno as they appealed for help in removing the boy from his Florida relatives and reuniting him with his father in Cuba.

2001 – Former National Football League player Rae Carruth was sentenced to a minimum 18 years and 11 months in prison for his role in the 1999 shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams. Adams died a month later from her wounds. The baby survived and lives with the victim’s mother.

2002 – Lawyers suing Enron Corp. asked a court to prevent further shredding of documents due to the pending federal investigation.

2002 – Amazon.com announced that it had posted its first net profit in the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2001.

2002 – AOL Time Warner filed suit against Microsoft in federal court seeking damages for harm done to AOL’s Netscape Internet Browser when Microsoft began giving away its competing browser.

2002 – Kmart Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, making it the largest retailer in history to seek legal protection from its creditors.

2003 – It was reported that scientists in China had found fossilized remains of a dinosaur with four feathered wings.

2005 – Donald Trump married his third wife, Slovenian model Melania Knauss, who is 24 years younger than he is.

2005 – A newly cast version of “The Partridge Family” debuted on VH1.

2010 – Conan O’Brien’s final “Tonight Show” aired. Musical guest Neil Young’s performance of “Long May You Run” was followed by a jam on “Freebird” featuring Max Weinberg and the “Tonight Show” Band with O’Brien, Ben Harper, Beck and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons on guitars and Will Ferrell on lead vocals.

2018 – Minnie Mouse finally received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

BIRTHDAYS:

Alan J. Heeger – 90 years old (1936) – Physicist and chemist, Nobel Prize laureate

Steve Perry – 77 years old (1949) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Frank Schade – 76 years old (1950) – Basketball player and coach

Jim Jarmusch – 73 years old (1953) – Director and screenwriter

Tully Blanchard – 72 years old (1954) – Canadian-American wrestler

Lester Hayes – 71 years old (1955) – Football player

Thomas David Jones – 71 years old (1955) – Captain, pilot, and astronaut

John Wesley Shipp – 71 years old (1955) – Actor

Rita Chatterton – 69 years old (1957) – Professional wrestling referee

Linda Blair – 67 years old (1959) – Actress

Steven Adler – 61 years old (1965) – Rock drummer

DJ Jazzy Jeff – 61 years old (1965) – DJ and producer

Diane Lane – 61 years old (1965) – Actress

Guy Fieri – 58 years old (1968) – Chef, author, and television host

Olivia d'Abo – 57 years old (1969) – English-American singer-songwriter and actress

Katie Finneran – 55 years old (1971) – Actress

Gabriel Macht – 54 years old (1972) – Actor

Balthazar Getty – 51 years old (1975) – Actor and musician

Robert Esche – 48 years old (1978) – Ice hockey player and sports executive

Chone Figgins – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player

Christopher Masterson – 46 years old (1980) – Actor

Lizz Wright – 46 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter

Willa Ford – 45 years old (1981) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actress

Beverley Mitchell – 45 years old (1981) – Actress

Ben Moody – 45 years old (1981) – Musician, songwriter, and producer

Jason Peters – 44 years old (1982) – Football player

Angel Olsen – 39 years old (1987) – Singer-songwriter

Ray Rice – 39 years old (1987) – Football player

Greg Oden – 38 years old (1988) – Basketball player

Mike Hauschild – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player

Logic – 36 years old (1990) – Rapper

Tyrone Taylor – 32 years old (1994) – Baseball player

Sami Gayle – 30 years old (1996) – Actress

Silento – 28 years old (1998) – Rapper, singer and songwriter

Andrew Thomas – 27 years old (1999) – Football player

Caitlin Clark – 24 years old (2002) – Basketball player

TODAY IS:

• National Hot Sauce Day: Tingle your tastebuds with this spicy condiment, sample sauces from all over the world or challenge your friends to try the hotter varieties.
• Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day: Imagine exploring new places from the perspective of a curious feline, and noticing things you've never seen before.
• Clashing Clothes Day: Express yourself — mix and clash! Don't be afraid to break the rules and mix unexpected patterns and colors.
• National Polka Dot Day: Polka dots add a touch of fun and whimsy to any dress. They come in all sizes and colors, and never go out of style.
• Celebration of Life Day: Nothing beats watching your child's face light up with joy as you create lasting memories with them, carving out precious moments that will last a lifetime.
• National Blonde Brownie Day: Looking for a dessert that's sweet, chewy, and oh-so-delicious? You'll want to try this popular baked good that's light in color and full of flavor!
• NASA’s Day of Remembrance: NASA’s Day of Remembrance stands as a solemn tribute to the brave individuals who lost their lives in the pursuit of space exploration. This annual observance honors the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia, as well as other members of the NASA family who perished while advancing the cause...
• Roe vs. Wade Day: Roe vs. Wade Day honors a court decision that once protected a woman's choice to end a pregnancy. This ruling recognized a personal right, allowing women to make decisions about their bodies without government interference. For decades, it stood as a symbol of personal freedom and privacy. People across the country viewed...
• Come in From the Cold Day: Come in from the Cold Day invites people to step out of the harsh winter air and into warmth. It’s a chance to slow down, pull on soft socks, and breathe in the comfort of home. Hot cocoa, thick sweaters, and a quiet corner with a book all feel richer...
• Surva Mummers Festival: Surva Mummers Festival is a lively and colorful event held in the small town of Pernik, Bulgaria. This annual celebration is known for its dramatic parades featuring people dressed in elaborate, often intimidating, costumes. Participants, known as mummers, wear masks depicting various mythical creatures and wear costumes adorned with bells...
• Cancer Talk Week: Cancer Talk Week is a vital event that brings communities together to focus on cancer awareness and support. This week-long observance encourages open conversations about cancer, dispels myths, and provides valuable resources to those affected. The Purpose of Cancer Talk Week The main reasons for celebrating Cancer Talk Week include promoting awareness...
• No Name Calling Week: Bullying is a serious issue in today’s world, resulting in significant harm to individuals and sometimes even contributing to death by suicide. While some people might consider name calling to be ‘all in good fun’, the reality is that words can harm. Name calling at schools in the United States...
• World Kiwanis Week: A global organization of volunteers who work to make their communities a better place, Kiwanis International is dedicated to improving the lives of children all around the world. With the vision of being a positive influence in neighborhoods recognizing that kids need adults who care, the Kiwanis hope is that...
• Hunt for Happiness Week: While many people believe that happiness is a fleeting thing, Hunt for Happiness Week acts as a reminder that while happiness can take place under almost any circumstances, it might take a little bit of effort to get there! How to Celebrate Hunt for Happiness Week Take a look at some interesting...

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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.