June 16

Scott Winters June 16, 2025 2 Comments

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:

1858 – In a speech in Springfield, IL, U.S. Senate candidate Abraham Lincoln said the slavery issue had to be resolved. He declared, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

1884 – At Coney Island, in Brooklyn, NY, the first roller coaster in America opened. It was called the “Switchback Railway”.

1884 – John Ball Park in Grand Rapids, MI, officially opened.

1890 – The second Madison Square Gardens opened.

1891 – The George A. Hormel & Company was founded in Austin, MN. One of their most famous products is Spam, which was introduced in 1937. It is now the world’s biggest selling canned meat product.

1893 – The Rueckheim Brothers produced a new snack called “Cracker Jack”. It was made with popcorn, peanuts, and molasses, and first presented it to the public at the World’s Columbian Exposition (Chicago’s first World’s Fair). Unfortunately, the molasses of this early version was too sticky and the recipe had to be changed.

1883 – The New York Giants baseball team admitted all ladies for free to the ballpark. It was the first Ladies Day.

1897 – The U.S. government signed a treaty of annexation with Hawaii.

1903 – The Pepsi-Cola Company officially trademarked “Pepsi-Cola”. On the same day, a patent for Chicken Goggles was also issued. The small goggles were designed to protect chickens from being pecked in the eyes.

1903 – Ford Motor Company was incorporated. The firm’s ten employees begin producing its first car, the Model A.

1909 – Glenn Hammond Curtiss sold his first airplane, the “Gold Bug” to the New York Aeronautical Society for $5,000.

1910 – The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, WA.

1922 – Henry Berliner accomplished the first helicopter flight at College Park, MD.

1929 – Otto E. Funk arrived in San Francisco, CA to become the first person to walk across the United States while playing a violin. His journey took 183 days and he walked 4,165 miles.

1941 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the closure of all German consulates in the United States. The deadline was set as July 10.

1952 – The TV show “My Little Margie” debuted on CBS.

1952 – “Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl” was published in the United States.

1955 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend Selective Service until 1959.

1960 – The movie “Psycho” debuted in New York, NY.

1963 – 26-year-old Valentina Tereshkova went into orbit aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft for three days. She was the first female space traveler.

1976 – The TV show “The Jacksons” began airing for four weeks on CBS.

1978 – The film “Grease” premiered in New York, NY. The movie became the summer’s #1 film and spun off several big hits, including Frankie Valli’s #1 theme, written by Barry Gibb.

1978 – The video game “Space Invaders” was first demonstrated by Taito Corporation in Tokyo.

1980 – The movie “The Blues Brothers” opened in Chicago, IL.

1981 – The “Chicago Tribune” purchased the Chicago Cubs baseball team from the P.K. Wrigley Chewing Gum Company for $20.5 million.

1985 – Willie Banks broke the world record for the triple jump with a leap of 58 feet, 11-1/2 inches in the U.S.A. championships in Indianapolis, IN.

1992 – President George H.W. Bush welcomed Russian President Boris Yeltsin to a meeting in Washington, DC. The two agreed in principle to reduce strategic weapon arsenals by about two-thirds by the year 2003.

1993 – The U.S. Postal Service released a set of seven stamps that featured Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding, Ritchie Valens, Dinah Washington and Elvis Presley.

1995 – The movie “Batman Forever”, starring Val Kilmer, debuted in theaters.

1995 – Pearl Jam began a tour without using Ticketmaster. They chose to use a mail order ticket service.

1998 – The Detroit Red Wings completed a four-game sweep of the Washington Capitals with a 4-1 victory in Game 4 of the Finals. The Red Wings became the first time since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992 to repeat as champions.

1999 – Al Gore declared his Presidential candidacy.

1999 – The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that a 1992 federal music piracy law does not prohibit a palm-sized device that can download high-quality digital music files from the Internet and play them at home.

1999 – Phil Collins received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2000 – Oscar winning actor Michael Caine was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

2000 – U.S. federal regulators approved the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE Corp. The merger created the nation’s largest local phone company.

2000 – U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson reported that an employee at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico had discovered that two computer hard drives were missing. The hard drives contained sensitive data. They were later found behind a copying machine.

2011 – New York Democrat Anthony Weiner resigned from Congress, having admitted that he’d tweeted lewd photos to six women over the past few years.

BIRTHDAYS:

Joyce Carol Oates – 87 years old (1938) – Author (“Black Water”, “What I Lived For”, “Blonde”, “The Wheel of Love”, “Lovely, Dark, Deep: Stories”)

Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock – 86 years old (1939) – Country singer (“Rub It In,” “Broken Down in Tiny Pieces”, “Ruby Baby”)

Eddie Levert – 83 years old (1942) – Singer (The O’Jays)

Joan Van Ark – 82 years old (1943) – Actress (TV’s “Knot’s Landing”)

Roberto Durán – 74 years old (1951) – Boxer

Gino Vannelli – 73 years old (1952) – Singer

Laurie Metcalf – 70 years old (1955) – Actress (TV’s “Roseanne”, “Desperate Housewives”, movies “Scream 2”, “Making Mr. Right”, “Toy Story”)

Jenny Smimizu – 58 years old (1967) – Model, Actress

Phil Mickelson – 55 years old (1970) – Golfer

John Cho – 53 years old (1972) – Actor (“Harold and Kumar” movies, “Star Trek”, TV’s “American Dad!”)

Eddie Cibrian – 52 years old (1973) – Actor (TV’s “CSI: Miami”, “Invasion”, “Tilt”, “Third Watch”, “Sunset Beach”, “Baywatch Nights”, “The Young and the Restless”)

Frederick Koehler – 50 years old (1975) – Actor (TV’s “Kate & Allie”, “Oz”)

China Shavers – 48 years old (1977) – Actress (TV’s “Boston Public”, “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”)

Missy Peregrym – 43 years old (1982) – Actress (TV’s “Rookie Blue”)

Olivia Hack – 42 years old (1983) – Actress (“Brady Bunch” movie, TV’s “Hey Arnold!”)

Diana DeGarmo – 38 years old (1987) – Singer (Finished 2nd on TV’s “American Idol: Season 3”)

Abby Elliott – 38 years old (1987) – Actress, comedian (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”)

TODAY IS:

Fresh Veggies Day: Head to a farmer’s market, U-Pick veggie field, or even your own backyard garden and see what delicious and nutritious meals you can make with fresh veggies.
World Sea Turtle Day: Ancient marine creatures navigating vast oceans, facing challenges, and inspiring efforts to protect their fragile existence.
National Fudge Day: If you needed an excuse, here it is: National Fudge Day is the perfect opportunity to indulge in your favorite flavor of the rich, creamy treat we call fudge.
Bloomsday: Delving into the intricate tapestry of Dublin life, unraveling the complex narratives and cultural nuances within a literary masterpiece.
International Day of Family Remittances: Imagine a day dedicated to celebrating the hard work and love that connect families across borders. The International Day of Family Remittances does just that. This event highlights the efforts of over 200 million migrant workers who send money home to support their families. These contributions are vital, helping over 800...
World Refill Day: Adopting sustainable alternatives reduces waste, conserves resources, and promotes a healthier planet for future generations.
International Day of the African Child: Highlighting the importance of education and raising awareness about challenges faced by young people in diverse regions.
International Waterfall Day: Waterfalls have a way of stopping us in our tracks. International Waterfall Day invites everyone to pause and marvel at these natural wonders. From the roar of Niagara to the misty veil of Angel Falls, each cascade tells its own story. This day celebrates not just their beauty but also their...
Arborist Appreciation Day: Show some appreciation to the arborists who put their lives and safety on the line to keep us safe from potentially dangerous trees and branches.
Waste & Recycling Workers Week: Give a big thanks to the men and women who keep your community sanitary and hygienic on Garbage Man Day, or Waste & Recycling Workers Week.
National Play Catch Week: Connecting through a simple toss, a timeless game fosters bonds, laughter, and shared moments of pure joy.
Learning Disability Week: Understanding diverse learning needs empowers educators to create inclusive environments where every student can thrive and succeed.
Oxfam Water Week: Oxfam Water Week is a vibrant event that spotlights the global water crisis. This week-long celebration encourages people to come together to address water scarcity and the need for clean water! How to Celebrate Oxfam Water Week Celebrating Oxfam Water Week involves various community activities aimed at education and action. Participants...
Animal Rights Awareness Week: Animal Rights Awareness Week is a significant event celebrated every year during the third week of June. This week is dedicated to educating people about the importance of animal rights globally. It provides a platform to discuss how animals are unfairly used in industries such as entertainment, cosmetics, and science...
Refugee Week: Being a refuge is more than seeking shelter. It’s about finding a community that celebrates the vibrant tapestry of stories and cultures that refugees bring with them. How to Observe Refugee Week Throw a Culture Bash Why not kick things off with a festive gathering? Invite friends or community members to share...