June 17

Scott Winters June 17, 2025 1 Comment

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:

1837 – Charles Goodyear received his first patent. The patent was for a process that made rubber easier to work with.

1856 – The Republican Party opened its first national convention in Philadelphia, PA.

1861 – President Abraham Lincoln witnessed Dr. Thaddeus Lowe demonstrate the use of a hydrogen balloon.

1872 – George M. Hoover began selling whiskey in Dodge City, KS. It had been a dry town up until this point.

1876 – Under the leadership of Crazy Horse, General George Crook’s command was attacked and defeated on the Rosebud River by 1,500 Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.

1879 – Thomas Edison received an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the trustees of Rutgers College in New Brunswick, NJ.

1885 – The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York, NY aboard the French ship Isere.

1901 – The College Board introduced it’s first standardized test, the forerunner to the SAT.

1928 – Amelia Earhart began the flight that made her the first woman to successfully fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

1930 – The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill became law. It placed the highest tariff on imports to the U.S.

1941 – WNBT-TV in New York City, NY, was granted the first construction permit to operate a commercial TV station in the U.S.

1942 – “Yank”, a weekly magazine for the U.S. armed services, began publication. The term “G.I. Joe” was first used in a comic strip by Dave Breger.

1950 – Dr. Richard H. Lawler performed the first kidney transplant in a 45-minute operation in Chicago, IL.

1962 – Jack Nicklaus defeated Arnold Palmer to win his first professional tournament, the U.S. Open, and won $15,000.

1963 – The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Abington School District v. Schempp that no locality may require recitation of the Lord’s Prayer or Bible verses in public schools.

1971 – President Richard Nixon declared the U.S. War on Drugs.

1972 – Five White House operatives were arrested inside Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate building in Washington DC. It was an attempt by some members of the Republican party to illegally wiretap the opposition.

1982 – Former President Richard M. Nixon was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on “The CBS Morning News.”

1987 – With the death of the last individual of the species, the Dusky Seaside Sparrow became extinct.

1988 – The movie “The Great Outdoors”, starring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, premiered in theaters.

1994 – After a low speed police pursuit, O.J. Simpson was arrested for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

2002 – Terry Barton, an employee of the Forest Service, was charged with setting the largest wildfire in Colorado history.

2005 – Oprah Winfrey was named the most powerful person in showbiz by “Forbes” magazine.

2007 – Nearly a decade after a civil jury ordered O.J. Simpson to pay more than $33 million for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman, a judge handed the rights to “If I Did It”, Simpson’s aborted book about the murders, to the Goldman family.

2016 – The Pixar animated film, “Finding Dory”, debuted in theaters. It also released the computer-animated short film “Piper”, which went won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

2021 – The Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. It would become the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

BIRTHDAYS:

Peter Lupus – 93 years old (1932) – Bodybuilder, actor (TV’s “Mission: Impossible”)

Newt Gingrich – 82 years old (1943) – Politician, 50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1995-1999)

Barry Manilow – 82 years old (1943) – Singer

Joe Piscopo – 74 years old (1951) – Comedian, actor (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”, movies “Wise Guys”, “Johnny Dangerously”)

Mark Linn-Baker – 71 years old (1954) – Actor (“My Favorite Year”, TV’s “Perfect Strangers”)

Bobby Farrelly – 67 years old (1958) – Writer, director

Thomas Haden Church – 65 years old (1960) – Actor (TV’s “Wings”, movies “Sideways”, “Spider-Man 3”)

Greg Kinnear – 62 years old (1963) – Actor, television personality (TV’s “Later”, “Talk Soup”, “Movieline”, “Rake”, movies “As Good As It Gets”, “Green Zone”, “Baby Mama”, “Bad News Bears”, “Stuck on You”, “AutoFocus”, “You’ve Got Mail”, “Sabrina”)

Dan Jansen – 60 years old (1965) – Olympic speed skater

Jason Patric – 59 years old (1966) – Actor (“The Alamo”, “Narc”, “Rush”, “The Lost Boys”)

Eric Stefani – 58 years old (1967) – Musician, animator (No Doubt, TV’s “The Simpsons”)

Will Forte – 55 years old (1970) – Actor, comedian (TV’s “Saturday Night Live,” “MacGruber”, “The Last Man on Earth”, “Nebraska”, “Beerfest”)

Venus Williams – 45 years old (1980) – Tennis player

Marie Avgeropoulos – 39 years old (1986) – Actress (TV’s “The 100,” “Cult”)

Kendrick Lamar – 38 years old (1987) – Rapper

TODAY IS:

National Apple Strudel Day: Channel your inner Austrian foodie and try making your own Apple Strudel using apples, brown sugar, vanilla, lemon, cinnamon, flour, and raisins (optional).
National Eat Your Vegetables Day: Focus on getting ample veggies in your diet, and improve your overall health and well-being. Consider growing your own veggies for extra satisfaction.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Imagine a world where the land stays healthy, and water is always enough for everyone. That's what the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought aims for. Celebrated every year, this day is more than just a date on the calendar. It's a global call to protect our planet's land...
National Stewart’s Root Beer Day: A frothy mug of root beer, the taste so bold and sweet, bubbles tickling your nose, it's the perfect treat for any day of the week!
National Cherry Tart Day: Bake your very own Cherry Tart, a treat so beloved in Michigan that it has its own festival. Not a baker? Find one to try at a cake or pie shop near you.
World Tessellation Day: Try creating your own tessellation using paper, pen, and scissors to help wrap your mind around these strange and fascinating math-based patterns.
Bunker Hill Day: Bunker Hill Day honors a courageous stand during a key clash in America's story. It marks a time when a ragtag group of colonists faced a better-trained force and held their ground longer than anyone expected. Their bold defense, though it ended in withdrawal, proved they could confront a powerful...
World Croc Day: World Croc Day shines a light on one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures. Crocodiles have ruled rivers and swamps for millions of years, yet many people see them only as threats. In reality, they play a key role in keeping ecosystems balanced. By controlling prey populations and shaping waterways, they...
National Mascot Day: National Mascot Day celebrates the spirited characters that bring life and energy to our favorite teams and events. These mascots, often costumed performers, entertain crowds with their antics, dance moves, and playful interactions. They embody the essence of their organizations, creating a lively atmosphere that unites fans. Whether it's a...
National Accounts Payable Day: These finance wizards ensure the bills are paid and the numbers match. They're the financial glue keeping things smooth.
Icelandic National Day: Icelandic National Day is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets with joy, music, and pride. It's a day when the entire nation comes together to honor their country's spirit. Flags flutter, and people of all ages dressed in traditional attire join parades. The festive atmosphere captures Iceland's unique character, making...
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...