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:
1792 – Kentucky became the 15th state of the U.S.
1796 – Tennessee became the 16th state of the U.S.
1831 – James Clark Ross discovered the Magnetic North Pole.
1861 – The first skirmish of the U.S. Civil War took place at the Fairfax Court House in Virginia.
1869 – Thomas Edison received a patent for his electric voting machine.
1879 – Michigan women were employed as telephone operators for the first time in Grand Rapids, MI. They replaced boys who neglected the switchboards to play marbles.
1880 – The world’s first pay phone was installed in New Haven, CT.
1892 – The General Electric Company (GE) began operations after the merging of the Edison General Electric and the Thomson-Houston Electric companies.
1916 – The National Defense Act increased the strength of the U.S. National Guard by 450,000 men.
1935 – The Ingersoll-Waterbury Company reported that it had produced 2.5 million Mickey Mouse watches during its 2 year association with Disney.
1938 – The first “Superman” comic was published.
1938 – Baseball helmets were worn for the first time.
1939 – The Douglas DC-4 made its first passenger flight from Chicago, IL to New York, NY.
1954 – In the “Peanuts” comic strip, Linus’ security blanket made its debut.
1957 – Don Bowden became the first American to run a mile in under four minutes. His time was 3:58:7.
1958 – IBM ended its design of machines that contained electronic tubes.
1961 – Radio listeners in New York, California, and Illinois were introduced to FM multiplex stereo broadcasting. A year later the FCC made this a standard.
1967 – The album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, by the Beatles, was released.
1973 – The James Bond movie “Live and Let Die”, with a title track by Paul McCartney & Wings, opened in theaters.
1974 – The Heimlich maneuver for rescuing choking victims was published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine.
1978 – The U.S. reported the finding of wiretaps in the American embassy in Moscow.
1979 – In the U.S., the government-controlled ceiling on oil prices ended. The control was phased out over 28 months.
1980 – The Cable News Network (CNN) made its debut as the first all-news station.
1989 – Disney World’s “Typhoon Lagoon” opened.
1990 – George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev signed a treaty to end chemical weapon production.
1990 – The movie “Total Recall”, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, premiered in theaters.
1999 – Merrill Lynch chairman David Komansky announced that the firm would soon allow its customers to buy and sell stocks over the Internet.
2005 – The celebrity dancing competition show “Dancing with the Stars” debuted on ABC.
2004 – Prosecutors in the state of Oklahoma sentenced Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols to 161 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, breaking a Guinness World Record.
2008 – The Phoenix Mars Lander became the first NASA spacecraft to scoop Martian soil.
2009 – General Motors filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The filing made GM the largest U.S. industrial company to enter bankruptcy protection.
2011 – Space Shuttle Endeavour made its final landing after 25 flights
BIRTHDAYS:
Pat Boone – 91 a old (1934) – Singer
Morgan Freeman – 88 a old (1937) – Actor (“Invictus”, “Million Dollar Baby”, “The Shawshank Redemption”,”Driving Miss Daisy”, “Street Smart”)
Brian Cox – 79 a old (1946) – Actor (“Troy”, “X2”, “The Ring”, “The Bourne Identity / Supremacy”, “Manhunter”)
Jonathan Pryce – 78 a old (1947) – Actor (The “G.I. Joe” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, “The Brothers Grimm”, “Tomorrow Never Dies”, “Evita”, “Brazil”, TV’s “Game of Thrones”, “Wolf Hall”)
Ronnie Wood – 78 a old (1947) – Guitarist (Rolling Stones)
Tom Sneva – 77 a old (1948) – Race car driver
Mike Levine – 76 a old (1949) – Bassist, keyboardist (Triumph)
Diana Canova – 72 a old (1953) – Actress (TV’s “Soap”)
Ronnie Dunn – 72 a old (1953) – Singer (Brooks and Dunn)
Lisa Hartman Black – 69 a old (1956) – Actress, singer (TV’s “Knots Landing”)
Alan Wilder – 66 a old (1959) – Keyboardist (Depeche Mode)
Simon Gallup – 65 a old (1960) – Bassist (The Cure)
Paul Coffey – 64 a old (1961) – Hockey player (Detroit Red Wings 1992-1996)
Mark Curry – 64 a old (1961) – Actor, comedian (TV’s “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper”, “The Drew Carey Show”, “Showtime at the Apollo”)
Jason Donovan – 57 a old (1968) – Actor, singer (TV’s “Neighbours”)
Teri Polo – 56 a old (1969) – Actress (“Meet the Parents” and its sequels, TV’s “The Fosters”, “The West Wing”)
Heidi Klum – 52 a old (1973) – Model, television host (TV’s “Project Runaway”, “America’s Got Talent”)
Alanis Morissette – 51 a old (1974) – Singer, actress (TV’s “Weeds”, “Nip/Tuck”)
Sarah Wayne Callies – 48 a old (1977) – Actress (TV’s “Prison Break”, “The Walking Dead”, “Colony”)
Damien Fahey – 45 a old (1980) – Television host (TV’s “Total Request Live”)
Amy Schumer – 44 a old (1981) – Comedian, writer, actor (TV’s “Inside Amy Schumer”, movies “Trainwreck”)
TODAY IS:
- World Milk Day: Start your day with a glass of calcium-rich milk, visit a local dairy farm, or see what milk alternatives like soy, oat, or almond milk you might enjoy.
- National Go Barefoot Day: Put your feet in direct contact with the Earth by going barefoot, or donate any shoes you don’t wear to those who have no choice but to go barefoot.
- World Reef Awareness Day: Join the reef revolution and become a hero for our ocean friends! By spreading awareness and taking action, we can protect these colorful communities and ensure they thrive for generations to come.
- Dinosaur Day: Discover a lost world of colossal creatures, where gigantic predators and gentle giants once roamed the earth.
- National Olive Day: Small, unassuming, but packed with flavor - these little bites are the perfect addition to any antipasto platter or cocktail hour spread.
- International Children’s Day:
- Oscar the Grouch Day: That grumpy, green inhabitant of a certain trash-filled abode — his irritable charm and unique perspective make him an icon.
- Statehood Day in Kentucky:
- Stand For Children Day:
- Wear a Dress Day: From flowing sundresses to elegant evening gowns, there's a dress for every occasion. So twirl, dance, and let your inner diva shine in a dress that makes you feel like a million bucks!
- Western Australia Day:
- Statehood Day in Tennessee:
- National Heimlich Maneuver Day: A life-saving technique, dislodging obstructions and ensuring breath flows freely, empowering quick responses to unexpected emergencies.
- Flip a Coin Day: With a simple toss, fate dances on the edge, a moment of chance that decides outcomes, leaving everything to gravity's whim.
- World Outlander Day:
- Intergenerational Day:
- National Skincare Education Day:
- Don’t Give Up the Ship Day:
- International Sheltie Day:
- World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day:
- National Game Show Day:
- National Nail Polish Day: Paint the town and your nails with vibrant colors that pop! From bold and sassy to sweet and classy, your nails are your canvas to express yourself. So let's polish up and show the world our true colors!
- Pen Pal Day: Join the pen pal parade and get ready for a world of wonder! Writing to a friend is like having a conversation with the world. So grab a pen, put your thoughts to paper, and let the adventures begin!
- National Say Something Nice Day:
- New Year’s Resolution Recommitment Day:
- National Billboard Day:
- National Hazelnut Cake Day: Get nutty for hazelnut cake—a deliciously decadent treat that will have you going nuts for seconds! Each bite is a heavenly blend of rich chocolate and toasty hazelnuts. So don't be shy, grab a slice and let's get nutty!
- Global Day of Parents: Parents—the ultimate superheroes without capes! They're your first teachers, your biggest supporters, and your go-to for advice. So give them a hug, thank them for all they do, and know that you're the luckiest kid in the world!
- Vivid Sydney:
- Gawai Dayak:
- America The Beautiful Week:
- Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: Securing healthcare integrity, ensuring resources reach those in need, and safeguarding against deceptive practices for a healthier community.
- National CPR and AED Awareness Week:
- RSPCA Week:
- National Automotive Service Professional Week:
- Stepparents Week:
- National Patient Participation Week:
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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.


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