June 23

Scott Winters June 23, 2025 3 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:

1836 – Congress approved the Deposit Act, which contained a provision for turning over surplus federal revenue to the states.

1868 – Christopher Latham Sholes received a patent for an invention that he called a “Type-Writer.”

1904 – The first American motorboat race got underway on the Hudson River in New York, NY.

1917 – In a game against the Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox pitcher Ernie Shore retired 26 batters in a row after replacing Babe Ruth. Ruth had been ejected for punching an umpire.

1926 – The College Board administers the first SAT exam.

1926 – The first lip reading tournament in America was held in Philadelphia, PA.

1931 – Wiley Post and Harold Gatty took off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, NY on the first round-the-world flight in a single-engine plane.

1938 – The Civil Aeronautics Authority was established.

1938 – Marineland opened near St. Augustine, FL.

1950 – A furious squall on Lake Michigan caused the worst commercial aviation disaster at that time — Northwest Airlines Flight 2501 went down with 58 on board.

1960 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared Enovid to be the first officially approved combined oral contraceptive pill in the world.

1963 – Jimmy Piersall, of the New York Mets, hit his 100th career home run and ran the bases backwards as promised.

1969 – Warren E. Burger was sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by retiring Chief Justice Earl Warren.

1972 – President Richard Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman discussed a plan to use the CIA to obstruct the FBI’s Watergate investigation.

1978 – A 7 year old, 16 foot python, weighing 140 pounds, named “Big Sid”, slithered away from a traveling circus in Standale, MI. The search for “Big Sid” continued for weeks, until his capture on July 24th, 1978. Read more about “Big Sid” here.

1980 – David Letterman’s daytime TV show debuted on NBC.

1988 – George Steinbrenner fired Yankees manager Billy Martin for the fifth time, and replaced him with Lou Piniella.

1989 – The movie “Batman”, directed by Tim Burton and starring Jack Nicholson as the Joker and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, premiered in theaters.

1989 – The movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” debuted in theaters.

1992 – Mob boss John Gotti, “The Teflon Don,” was sentenced to life in prison, where he died a decade later.

1993 – Lorena Bobbitt of Manassas, VA, cut off a part of her sleeping husband John’s penis with a kitchen knife. She drove off with the severed appendage and threw it from the car window. Police found it and a surgeon reattached it.

1996 – The Nintendo 64 video console debuted in Japan.

2000 – The stop-action animated movie “Chicken Run” hit theaters.

2003 – Apple Computer Inc. unveiled the new Power Mac desktop computer.

2005 – Roger Ebert received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2013 – In Arizona, aerialist Nik Wallenda completed a quarter mile tightrope walk over the Little Colorado River Gorge, to become the first man to successfully walk across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope.

2015 – NASA’s Mars Odyssey completed its 60,000th orbit around Mars. The spacecraft entered orbit on October 23, 2001.

2015 – Verizon announced it had completed its $4.4 billion purchase of AOL, Inc.

BIRTHDAYS:

Diana Trask – 85 years old (1940) – Country singer (“Lean It All on Me”)

Ted Shackelford – 79 years old (1946) – Actor (TV’s “Knots Landing”, “The Young and the Restless”)

Bryan Brown – 78 years old (1947) – Actor (“Breaker Morant”, “Give My Regards to Broad Street”, “F/X”, “Cocktail”, “Gorillas in the Mist” “F/X2”, “Along Came Polly”, “Australia”, “Kill Me Three Times”, “Gods of Egypt”, TV’s “The Thorn Birds”)

Clarence Thomas – 77 years old (1948) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1991 to present)

Jim Metzler – 74 years old (1951) – Actor (“Tex”)

Randy Jackson – 69 years old (1956) – Bass guitarist, judge (Journey, TV’s “American Idol”)

Frances McDormand – 68 years old (1957) – Actress (“Fargo”, “Mississippi Burning”, “Almost Famous”, “North Country”)

Joss Whedon – 61 years old (1964) – Writer, director (Creator/director of TV’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Angel”, “Dollhouse”, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, director of “The Avengers”, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”)

Chico DeBarge – 59 years old (1966) – Musician (DeBarge). Born in Detroit, MI.

Selma Blair – 53 years old (1972) – Actress (“Cruel Intentions”, “Legally Blonde”, “Hellboy”, “A Dirty Shame”, “Kill Me Later”, “Columbus Circle”, TV’s “Anger Management”, “Kath and Kim,”). Born in Southfield, MI.

Joel Edgerton – 51 years old (1974) – Actor (“Black Mass”, “Warrior”, “The Gift”, “The Great Gatsby”, “Zero Dark Thirty”, “Wish You Were Here”)

KT Tunstall – 50 years old (1975) – Singer

Jason Mraz – 48 years old (1977) – Singer

Melissa Rauch – 45 years old (1980) – Actress (Plays Howard’s wife Bernadette on TV’s “Big Bang Theory”)

Duffy – 41 years old (1984) – Singer

TODAY IS:

National Typewriter Day: Computers are great, but there’s nothing quite like the satisfying “clack” of a typewriter. Dust off that family heirloom, or see if someone you know has one.
St. John’s Eve: St. John’s Eve is a night filled with vibrant energy and deep symbolism. It marks a special moment, celebrating the birth of John the Baptist, one of the few saints honored on their birth rather than their death! How to Celebrate St. John’s Eve Ready to dive into the magical world...
National Porridge Day: Wake up to a warm, hearty breakfast that will keep you fueled for hours with a classic dish that's been enjoyed for centuries.
Public Service Day: Give a big thanks to the public servants who keep our communities running, from restoring power during a storm to checking for gas leaks and more.
International Women in Engineering Day: Donate to the cause and help spread awareness about the amazing opportunities for girls who might have an interest in pursuing a career in engineering.
International Widows Day: Donate to charities that support widows and their children, and be there for anyone in your life who has tragically had to outlive her spouse and carry on alone.
National Detroit-Style Pizza Day: National Detroit-Style Pizza Day is all about celebrating a pizza that dares to be different. Picture a thick, golden crust with cheese melting right to the edges, creating a crispy, caramelized border. The toppings rest directly on the dough, while a bold tomato sauce blankets everything on top. Baked in deep...
National Let It Go Day: Stop wasting energy on negativity and grudges, and start letting things go to make more room for the positive sides of life. Practice mindfulness and be forgiving.
Pink Flamingo Day: Pink Flamingo Day celebrates those bright plastic birds that often adorn gardens with playful charm. The day honors both the quirky ornaments and the man who first molded them. That artist gave these figures their distinctive shape. What began as a simple lawn accessory has grown into a fun tradition...
National Pecan Sandies Day: National Pecan Sandies Day honors a classic cookie that blends buttery shortbread with crunchy pecans. The term "sandies" refers to their crumbly texture and light color, reminiscent of fine sand. Each bite offers a delightful combination of nutty flavor and melt-in-your-mouth goodness. This day encourages us to indulge in these timeless...
National Hydration Day: National Hydration Day is all about the power of a simple drink—water. Picture a hot afternoon, sweat trickling down, and energy fading fast. A cold sip of water brings instant relief, cooling you from the inside out. This day reminds everyone how essential hydration is, not just for comfort but...
Self Storage Week: It’s time to unlock the hidden potential of your space - and your imagination! Self Storage Week celebrates the surprising, empowering, and incredibly useful world of self storage - one box, one shelf, and one cleared-out garage at a time. Whether you’re decluttering your life, launching a side hustle, or...
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.
DeafBlind Awareness Week: Promoting understanding and support for those with dual sensory loss fosters inclusion, empowerment, and community connection.
Insect Week: Insect Week is an exciting celebration dedicated to the fascinating world of insects. This week-long event features a variety of engaging activities and events designed to highlight the importance of insects in our lives. From art and photography competitions to educational workshops and bug hunts, there’s something for everyone to...
English Wine Week: English Wine Week is a vibrant celebration of the burgeoning English wine industry. It's an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to explore the diversity and quality of wines produced across the country. Vineyards open their doors, offering a range of activities like tours, tastings, and special events. This week is not...
National Lightning Safety Awareness Week: National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, celebrated in June, sparks crucial conversations about a powerful natural phenomenon. This week is vital because lightning strikes can be deadly, causing significant injuries and fatalities each year. Despite its potential dangers, lightning often doesn't receive the attention it deserves compared to other weather-related threats. How to...
Windjammer Days: Windjammer Days is a lively celebration where elegant tall ships sail into Boothbay Harbor’s calm waters. The day bursts with energy as colorful vessels glide in and gather off Cabbage Island. Crowds line the shore, cheering and snapping photos as sails unfurl and boats drift under bright skies. That harbor...