July 26

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:

1775 – Benjamin Franklin became the first Postmaster General when a postal system was established by the 2nd Continental Congress of the United States.

1788 – New York became the 11th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1880 – Grand Rapids, MI became the first U.S. city to use water power to generate electricity for lights.

1881 – Thomas Edison and Patrick Kenny applied for a patent for a facsimile telegraph.

1883 – The largest log jam in the nation threatened Grand Rapids, MI. Heavy rains cause the Grand River to rise nearly 20″. Lumberman used the high water to help bring their logs down river. The logs broke loose and 150 million board feet of timber came roaring down the river. It was one of the largest log jams in history, Logs piled up thirty feet deep and seven miles long. Two railroad bridges at Fulton and Wealthy Street were destroyed by the pressure of the jam.

1947 – President Harry S. Truman signed The National Security Act. This act created the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Council, the Department of Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

1948 – Babe Ruth was seen by the public for the last time. He was attending the New York City premiere of the motion picture, “The Babe Ruth Story”.

1951 – Walt Disney’s 13th animated film, “Alice in Wonderland”, premiered in London, England.

1958 – Explorer 4 was launched.

1971 – Nicolette Milnes-Walker completed sailing non-stop single-handedly across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first woman to successfully do so.

1971 – Apollo 15 landed on the Moon. It was the first Apollo “J-Mission” and the first use of a Lunar Roving vehicle.

1984 – “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” became the first network television program to be telecast in stereo.

1985 – The movie “National Lampoon’s European Vacation”, starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, premiered in theaters.

1989 – A federal grand jury indicted Cornell University student Robert T. Morris, Jr. for releasing the Morris worm, thus becoming the first person to be prosecuted under the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

1990 – President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1996 – The bowling movie “Kingpin”, starring Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid, premiered in theaters.

1999 – 1,500 pieces of Marilyn Monroe’s personal items went on display at Christie’s in New York, NY.

2005 – The STS-114 Mission – Launch of Discovery, was NASA’s first scheduled flight mission after the Columbia disaster in 2003.

2016 – Hillary Clinton became the first woman nominated as the Democratic Presidential candidate.

2016 – Solar Impulse 2 became the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth.

BIRTHDAYS:

Mick Jagger – 82 a old (1943) – Lead Singer (The Rolling Stones)

Roger Taylor – 76 a old (1949) – Drummer (Queen)

Dorothy Hamill – 69 a old (1956) – Olympic figure skater

Kevin Spacey – 66 a old (1959) – Actor (“American Beauty”, “The Usual Suspects”, “LA Confidential”, “Seven”, “Beyond the Sea”)

Gary Cherone – 64 a old (1961) – Singer (Extreme, Van Halen)

Sandra Bullock – 61 a old (1964) – Actress (“The Blind Side”, “Gravity”, “The Heat”, “The Proposal”, “Miss Congeniality” 1 & 2, “Speed”)

Jeremy Piven – 60 a old (1965) – Actor (TV’s “Entourage”, “Ellen”)

Kate Beckinsale – 52 a old (1973) – English actress (“Total Recall”, “The Aviator”, “Van Helsing”, “Pearl Harbor”)

TODAY IS:

• National BagelFest Day: Circular delights, golden-brown, with a chewy embrace—a dance of textures in every bite, breakfast perfection encapsulated.
• National Tree Day: National Tree Day is a vibrant celebration dedicated to the importance of trees in our lives. It's a day when people come together to appreciate the beauty and benefits of trees. This event encourages everyone to plant trees and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re in a city park or your...
• National Dog Photography Day: Capturing canine charisma through the lens, photography transforms ordinary moments into timeless portraits, celebrating the essence of dogs.
• National All or Nothing Day: If it was your last day on Earth, what would you do? Dive into your goals and dreams and be willing to take some risks in order to reap the potential rewards.
• Auntie’s Day: Oooh, aunties! They're like a special blend of a second mom and a best friend rolled into one. Always ready with a warm hug or a funny story, aunties seem to know just when to swoop in with a batch of your favorite cookies or some sage advice. They just...
• Holistic Therapy Day: Talk to a physician about Holistic Therapy, a method of therapy that involves treating the mind, body, and spirit all at the same time, not separately.
• National Aunt and Uncle Day: Get a small gift, write a letter, put together a photo collage or plan a fun get-together to let your Aunts and Uncles know you love and appreciate them.
• National Disability Independence Day: Empowering autonomy, embracing unique abilities, and fostering inclusivity create a world where independence flourishes beyond limitations.
• Esperanto Day: Esperanto is a language created to make global communication easier. It doesn't belong to any one place. That’s the point. It was built from parts of many languages, with simple rules and no silent letters. Anyone can learn it without years of study or expensive classes. It was made so people...
• World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly: The wise souls who bring family tales to life with stories of the past, offering warmth and wisdom through the ages.
• National Coffee Milkshake Day: On a scorching summer day, a blend of your favorite brew and chilly creaminess collides, creating an icy pick-me-up that's pure bliss.
• World Mangrove Day: Mangroves are coastal forests that thrive where land and sea meet. They stand on sturdy roots in shallow water and trap sand and mud. That creates rich ground for tiny creatures and fish. World Mangrove Day brings attention to these forests. It shows how they protect the shores from strong...
• One Voice Day: Join the entire world in reading the Universal Peace Covenant at the exact same time, a pledge to band together and improve our world for everyone.
• National Parents’ Day: Give a thoughtful gift, plan an outing, or write a letter to show your parent or parents that you appreciate their hard work and unconditional love.
• National Fishing Month: Relaxing, meditative, and practical, fishing is an ideal hobby for many. Get out on the water with some bait and a fishing line, and catch yourself dinner.
• Galway International Arts Festival: The Galway International Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity that takes over the city of Galway each year. This event brings together artists, performers, and visitors from around the globe for two weeks of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and more. The festival transforms Galway into a hub of...
• Darwin Show Day: Darwin Show Day is an annual event celebrating agriculture, local talent, and community spirit in the Northern Territory. It features exhibitions, competitions, and entertainment, drawing visitors from all over to the Darwin Showgrounds​. The day is packed with fun activities, exhibitions, and competitions. Visitors enjoy a range of attractions, including...
• Tour de France: The Tour de France is a thrilling event that captures the world's attention. This famous cycling race pushes athletes to their limits as they journey through stunning landscapes. Fans cheer wildly as cyclists speed through mountain passes, cobblestone streets, and picturesque villages during "Le Tour". The competition shows the determination...
• Love Parks Week : Enjoy fresh air, beautiful scenery, and leisure activities that rejuvenate the mind and body in nature's embrace.
• National Moth Week: Sign up for an event or citizen project during Moth Week to get involved, take and post photos, and get a good look at the interesting varieties of moths out there.

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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.