June 20

Scott Winters June 20, 2025 0 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:

1782 – The U.S. Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States.

1793 – Eli Whitney applied for a cotton gin patent. He received the patent on March 14. The cotton gin initiated the American mass-production concept.

1840 – Samuel Morse received a patent for the telegraph.

1863 – West Virginia became the 35th state to join the U.S.

1863 – The National Bank of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, became the first bank to receive a charter from Congress.

1877 – Alexander Graham Bell installed the world’s first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

1893 – Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the murders of her father and stepmother.

1941 – The U.S. Army Air Forces was established, replacing the Army Air Corps. The Army Air Forces were abolished with the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947.

1943 – Race-related rioting erupted in Detroit, MI. Federal troops were sent in two days later to end the violence that left more than 30 dead.

1947 – Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was shot to death through the window of his girlfriend’s Beverly Hills, CA, home at the order of mob associates angered over the soaring costs of his project, the Flamingo resort in Las Vegas, NV.

1948 – The television show “Toast of the Town” debuted on CBS. The show was hosted by Ed Sullivan. The name of the show was later changed to “The Ed Sullivan Show”.

1950 – Willie Mays graduated from high school and immediately signed to play professional baseball with the New York Giants.

1955 – The AFL and CIO agreed to combine names and a merge into a single group.

1963 – The United States and Soviet Union signed an agreement to set up a hot line communication link between the two countries.

1966 – The U.S. Open golf tournament was broadcast in color for the first time.

1967 – Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston, TX of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted.

1972 – An 18-1/2 minute gap appeared in the tape recording of the conversations between President Richard Nixon and his advisers regarding the recent arrests of his operatives while breaking into the Watergate complex.

1975 – The movie “Jaws” premiered in theaters. It became the highest-grossing film of that time and started the trend of films known as “summer blockbusters”.

1977 – The Trans-Alaska Pipeline began operation.

1979 – President Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed on the White House.

1983 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers must treat male and female workers equally in providing health benefits for their spouses.

1989 – The song, “Love Shack”, by the B-52’s was released.

1994 – O.J. Simpson pleaded not guilty to the killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

1995 – Epic released Michael Jackson’s 30-track double CD “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Part 1”.

1997 – The tobacco industry agreed to a massive settlement in exchange for major relief from mounting lawsuits and legal bills.

1997 – The film “My Best Friend’s Wedding”, starring Julia Roberts, was released.

2001 – Barry Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants, hit his 38th home run of the season. The home run broke the major league baseball record for homers before the midseason All-Star break.

2001 – A Houston, TX woman, Andrea Yates, was arrested for drowning her five children in a bathtub. She claimed she was saving her children from Satan.

2002 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the execution of mentally retarded murderers was unconstitutionally cruel. The vote was 6 in favor and 3 against.

2003 – The movie, “From Justin to Kelly”, starring American Idol first season winner Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini, debuted in theaters. This film is often regarded as one of the worst movies ever made.

2006 – After 44 years at “CBS News”, Dan Rather received his walking papers.

BIRTHDAYS:

James Tolkan – 94 years old (1931) – Actor (“Serpico”, “Top Gun”, “Back to the Future” movies). Born in Calumet, MI.

Brett Halsey – 92 years old (1933) – Actor (TV’s “The Young and the Restless”)

Jerry Keller – 88 years old (1937) – Singer, songwriter (“Here Comes Summer”)

Stephen Frears – 84 years old (1941) – Film director (“My Beautiful Laundrette”, “Dangerous Liaisons”, “High Fidelity”, “The Queen”, “Philomena”, “Florence Foster Jenkins”, “The Grifters”, “The Queen”)

Brian Wilson – 83 years old (1942) – Singer (Beach Boys)

John McCook – 81 years old (1944) – Actor (TV’s “The Bold and the Beautiful”, “The Young and the Restless”)

Anne Murray – 80 years old (1945) – Singer (“Snowbird”)

Bob Vila – 79 years old (1946) – Television host (TV’s “This Old House”, “Bob Vila’s Home Again”, “Bob Vila”)

Candy Clark – 78 years old (1947) – Actress (“American Graffiti”, “More American Graffiti”)

Tina Sinatra – 77 years old (1948) – Producer, actress

Lionel Richie – 76 years old (1949) – Singer, musician

John Goodman – 73 years old (1952) – Actor (TV’s “Roseanne”, movies “Argo”, “Trouble With the Curve”, “The Artist”, “Speed Racer”, “O Brother Where Art Thou”, “The Big Lebowski”, “The Flintstones”, “The Babe”, “Barton Fink”, “King Ralph”)

Michael Anthony – 71 years old (1954) – Bass guitarist (Van Halen)

John Taylor – 65 years old (1960) – Bass guitarist (Duran Duran)

Michael Landon Jr. – 61 years old (1964) – Actor, writer, producer (TV’s “Bonanza: The Next Generation”, “Back to Bonanza”, “Bonanza: The Return”, “Bonanza: Under Attack”)

Nicole Kidman – 58 years old (1967) – Actress (“The Hours”, “Rabbit Hole”, “Moulin Rouge”, “Lion”, “Stoker”, “The Paperboy”, “The Golden Compass”, “Cold Mountain”, “The Human Stain”, “Bewitched”)

Robert Rodriguez – 57 years old (1968) – Movie director (“From Dusk Till Dawn”, “Sin City”, “Spy Kids”, “Grindhouse”, “El Mariachi”, “Once Upon a Time in Mexico”)

Josh Lucas – 54 years old (1971) – Actor (“Poseidon”, “Glory Road”, “Hulk”, “Sweet Home Alabama”, “American Psycho”)

Christopher Mintz-Plass – 36 years old (1989) – Actor (“Superbad”)

TODAY IS:

National Take Your Dog to Work Day: Take Your Dog to Work instead of leaving them home alone, and reconsider the important bond between man and his best friend, that shouldn’t end on workdays.
National Vanilla Milkshake Day: On a hot day, nothing hits the spot quite like a creamy, refreshing Vanilla Milkshake. Make one at home, or visit a restaurant or ice cream place.
Flag Day in Argentina: Flag Day in Argentina is a deeply cherished occasion that brings the country together to celebrate its national symbol. Across the nation, homes and streets fill with light blue and white, the colors of the flag. How to Celebrate Flag Day in Argentina If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Flag...
Matariki: Matariki is a special time in New Zealand when the night sky lights up with the Pleiades star cluster. This event marks the beginning of the Māori New Year, and people across the country come together to reflect, plan, and enjoy the beauty of the stars. The celebrations hold deep...
World Productivity Day: Nip procrastination in the bud and focus on how you can maximize your productivity, decrease wasted time, and make more time in your life for things you love.
National Ice Cream Soda Day: Whether it’s sitting in your backyard with family and friends, out at a restaurant, or at a specialized ice cream vendor, you won’t regret having an Ice Cream Soda.
American Eagle Day: Show your national pride on American Eagle Day by wearing eagle-adorned clothing, or donating to a cause to help protect and preserve these majestic creatures.
International Tennis Day: Experiencing the ancient artistry of a classic racquet sport, a game steeped in history, skill, and timeless elegance.
National Take Back the Lunch Break Day: In today’s nonstop work culture, lunch breaks get more and more shoved to the side. Take back that important time to eat and unwind, and improve your productivity.
National Kouign Amann Day: Kouign Amann is a pastry-like cake made with an insane amount of butter—and therefore is incredibly delicious. Visit a bakery or try making your own at home.
National Seashell Day: Listen to the ocean's memory with these treasures from the shore! Whether on display or as a craft, seashells are always charming.
National Celluma Light Therapy Day: National Celluma Light Therapy Day honors a light-based treatment called Celluma, which uses gentle LED wavelengths to encourage healing. This therapy works without medicines or needles, helping skin, muscles, joints, and even hair, with no pain. Devices shine red, blue, and infrared light onto the body. They aim to support cell...
National West Virginia Day: National West Virginia Day celebrates the state's unique identity and heritage. And, it isn’t just a place on a map—it’s a feeling. Rolling mountains, winding rivers, and small towns filled with big-hearted people make it special. National West Virginia Day is a time to recognize what separates this state. The...
Ugliest Dog Day: Sometimes the most unconventional pets become the most beloved. Who needs a perfect pooch when you can have a charmingly ugly one?
Anne & Samantha Day: Anne & Samantha Day shines a light on two young girls whose voices continue to echo through time. Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager, documented her life in hiding during World War II in a diary that has touched millions. Samantha Smith, an American schoolgirl, reached out to Soviet leader Yuri...
National Hike With A Geek Day: National Hike With A Geek Day is all about stepping away from screens and hitting the trails. It’s a chance for tech lovers, gamers, and anyone who spends too much time indoors to breathe fresh air and move. Instead of clicking through endless tabs, people walk real paths, surrounded by...
Global Car Recycling Day: Ensuring environmental sustainability and economic growth requires stricter regulations and support for the global car recycling industry.
International Nystagmus Awareness Day: International Nystagmus Awareness Day brings attention to a condition affecting eye movement. Imagine trying to read a book while your eyes shift rapidly on their own. Nystagmus causes this constant motion, making it difficult to focus or see details clearly. Some people are born with it, while others develop it...
World Refugee Day: Educate yourself and others about the plights of refugees around the world, and foster empathy and care for those who need our help in these times.
Summer Solstice: It's the day with the most sunshine, the longest day of the year. Celebrate the official start of summer with outdoor fun!
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.
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...