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:
1845 – The U.S. Congress decided all national elections would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
1849 – English-born Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in America to receive medical degree. It was from the Medical Institution of Geneva, NY.
1855 – The first bridge over the Mississippi River opened in what is now Minneapolis, MN. The crossing was the Hennipin Avenue Bridge.
1860 – Fire destroyed the Porter & Sligh store on the southwest corner of Lyon and Monroe in Grand Rapids, MI, and the wooded post office building across the arcade from it. The Porter & Sligh building housed most of the county offices, and the loss included public records.
1907 – Charles Curtis, of Kansas, began serving in the United States Senate. He was the first American Indian to become a U.S. Senator. He resigned in March of 1929 to become President Herbert Hoover’s Vice President.
1933 – The Shrine Circus made its first appearance in Grand Rapids the week of January 23, 1933. It was also three weeks to the day after the new Civic Auditorium first opened its doors to the public. The turnout was amazing, with all 4500 seats filled nearly every day throughout the week.
1948 – Arctic high pressure and deep snow cover kept lower Michigan in the deep freeze. Record low temperatures were set in Grand Rapids (-19°) and Muskegon (-13°).
1957 – Inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his flying disc to the Wham-O toy company, which later renamed it the “Frisbee”.
1964 – The 24th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, eliminating the poll tax in federal elections.
1971 – In Prospect Creek Camp, AK, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was reported as -80 degrees.
1973 – President Richard Nixon announced that a peace accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War.
1975 – The police station television sitcom “Barney Miller” made its debut on ABC.
1977 – ABC began televising the mini-series “Roots”, based on Alex Haley’s book. It was the most watched mini-series in history.
1978 – Sweden banned aerosol sprays because of damage to environment. They were the first country to do so.
1983 – The television show “The A-Team” debuted on TV.
1986 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame held its first induction ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, NY. In alphabetical order, the inaugural Class of 1986 consisted of Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, DJ Alan Freed, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and Elvis Presley.
1997 – Madeleine Albright became the first woman to serve as United States Secretary of State.
2002 – Reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan, and murdered.
2003 – A very weak signal from Pioneer 10 was detected for the final time, but no usable data could be extracted.
2004 – The final episode of the television show “Friends” was taped.
2018 – A 7.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Gulf of Alaska. It was tied as the sixth-largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States. There were no reports of significant damage or fatalities.
2020 – The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
2021 – A $1 billion Mega Millions ticket was sold at a Kroger in Novi, MI. It was the biggest lottery prize ever won in the state of Michigan at that time and the third largest ever sold in the United States. The lump-sum cash option was an estimated $739.6 million.
BIRTHDAYS:
Lou Antonio – 92 years old (1934) – Actor and director
Jerry Kramer – 90 years old (1936) – Football player and sportscaster
Gary Burton – 83 years old (1943) – Musician
Tom Carper – 79 years old (1947) – Captain and politician, 71st Governor of Delaware
Charlie Papazian – 77 years old (1949) – Nuclear engineer, brewer and author
Richard Dean Anderson – 76 years old (1950) – Actor, producer, and composer
Chesley Sullenberger – 75 years old (1951) – Airline pilot and safety expert
John Luther Adams – 73 years old (1953) – Composer
Antonio Villaraigosa – 73 years old (1953) – Politician, 41st Mayor of Los Angeles
Robin Zander – 73 years old (1953) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Peter Mackenzie – 65 years old (1961) – Actor
Boris McGiver – 64 years old (1962) – Actor
Gail O'Grady – 63 years old (1963) – Actress
Jonatha Brooke – 62 years old (1964) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Mariska Hargitay – 62 years old (1964) – Actress and producer
Louie Clemente – 61 years old (1965) – Drummer
Haywoode Workman – 60 years old (1966) – Basketball player and referee
Kevin Mawae – 55 years old (1971) – Football player and coach
Tiffani Thiessen – 52 years old (1974) – Actress
Phil Dawson – 51 years old (1975) – Football player
Tito Ortiz – 51 years old (1975) – Mixed martial artist
Brandon Duckworth – 50 years old (1976) – Baseball player and scout
Alex Shaffer – 50 years old (1976) – Skier
Larry Hughes – 47 years old (1979) – Basketball player
Julia Jones – 45 years old (1981) – Actress
Andrew Rock – 44 years old (1982) – Sprinter
Jeff Samardzija – 41 years old (1985) – Baseball and football player
Steve Birnbaum – 35 years old (1991) – Soccer player
Addison Russell – 32 years old (1994) – Baseball player
Keita Bates-Diop – 30 years old (1996) – Basketball player
TODAY IS:
- National Pie Day: From chicken to apple, pecan to mushroom, indulge in classic pastry stuffed with any filling you fancy by visiting a bakery or hosting a pie contest.
- Thorrablot: Thorrablot is a special celebration in Iceland that brings people together in the dark winter months. It's a lively event where families and friends gather to enjoy traditional Icelandic foods and embrace their cultural heritage. The day is filled with laughter, storytelling, and a strong sense of community. It’s a...
- Maternal Health Awareness Day: Many people don’t realize that, among developed countries, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rates and, shockingly, it is the only advanced nation to have increasing maternal mortality rates in recent decades. Black women and indigenous women in the US are particularly at risk, with maternal mortality rates...
- National Handwriting Day: Expressing yourself with style and grace is just a pen stroke away! Improve your communication skills with the art of writing by hand.
- National Rhubarb Pie Day: Who knew that such a tasty dessert could be made out of something that is technically classified as a vegetable?!
- International Sticky Toffee Pudding Day: Sticky toffee pudding is a warm, gooey dessert that melts on the tongue. It’s made with soft sponge cake soaked in thick toffee sauce, often served with ice cream or custard. People around the world enjoy it for its bold, rich flavor and comforting texture. There's something deeply satisfying about...
- Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day: Street-clearing battles unfold, mailboxes caught in the icy crossfire, transforming chaos into a lighthearted neighborhood spectacle.
- National Measure Your Feet Day: Ensuring your new kicks are the perfect fit, because comfort is the name of the game when it comes to shoe shopping.
- National Activity Professionals Day: National Activity Professionals Day celebrates the dedicated individuals who bring energy and joy to senior living communities. These professionals plan and lead activities that keep residents engaged, active, and connected. From organizing art classes to coordinating group outings, their efforts create meaningful experiences that enrich daily life. Their work supports not...
- Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day: EITC Awareness Day is an annual campaign aimed at increasing awareness about the EITC and encouraging eligible individuals to claim the credit. Despite its benefits, the IRS estimates that about one in five eligible taxpayers do not claim the EITC, leaving billions of dollars unclaimed each year. The campaign involves the...
- 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...
Powered by Days Of The Year
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.
