June 25

Scott Winters June 25, 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:

1788 – Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the 10th state of the United States.

1864 – Union troops surrounding Petersburg, VA, began building a mine tunnel underneath the Confederate lines.

1867 – Lucien B. Smith patented the first barbed wire.

1868 – The U.S. Congress enacted legislation granting an eight-hour day to workers employed by the Federal government.

1868 – Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina were readmitted to the Union.

1876 – Lt. Col. Custer and the 210 men of U.S. 7th Cavalry were killed by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians at Little Big Horn in Montana. The event is known as “Custer’s Last Stand.”

1876 – In Philadelphia, PA, Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone for Sir William Thomson and Emperor Pedro II of Brazil at the Centennial Exhibition.

1910 – The U.S. Congress authorized the use of postal savings stamps.

1923 – Capt. Lowell H. Smith and Lt. John P. Richter performed the first ever aerial refueling in a DH-4B biplane.

1947 – “The Diary of a Young Girl” (better known as “The Diary of Anne Frank”) was published.

1949 – The movie “Long-Haired Hare”, starring Bugs Bunny, was released in theaters.

1951 – In New York, the first regular commercial color TV transmissions were presented on CBS using the FCC-approved CBS Color System. The public did not own color TV’s at the time.

1956 – The game of Tee Ball was invented in Albion, MI. Jerry Sacharski had the idea to use a batting tee to help youngsters play the game of baseball.

1958 – The official dedication ceremonies for the new Mackinac Bridge kicked off with the first “Governor’s Walk” across the bridge. The first walk was led by Governor Soapy Williams.

1962 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the use of unofficial non-denominational prayer in public schools was unconstitutional.

1966– The gothic horror television series “Dark Shadows” made its debut as a daytime drama on ABC.

1968 – Bobby Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants, hit a grand-slam home run in his first game with the Giants. He was the first player to debut with a grand-slam.

1970 – The U.S. Federal Communications Commission handed down a ruling, making it illegal for radio stations to put telephone calls on the air without the permission of the person being called.

1973 – White House Counsel John Dean admitted that President Richard Nixon took part in the Watergate cover-up.

1978 – The rainbow flag representing gay pride was flown for the first time in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.

1981 – The U.S. Supreme Court decided that male-only draft registration was constitutional.

1981 – Microsoft was restructured to become an incorporated business in its home state of Washington.

1982 – The movie “Blade Runner” debuted in theaters.

1984 – Prince released his most successful studio album “Purple Rain”.

1985 – ABC’s “Monday Night Football” began with a new line-up. The trio was Frank Gifford, Joe Namath and O.J. Simpson.

1985 – New York Yankees officials enacted the rule that mandated that the team’s bat boys were to wear protective helmets during all games.

1986 – The Congress approved $100 million in aid to the Contras fighting in Nicaragua.

1988 – Baseball great Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 1,000th consecutive game.

1990 – The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of an individual, whose wishes are clearly made, to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment. “The right to die” decision was made in the Curzan vs. Missouri case.

1992 – Billy Joel got his high school diploma. He had overslept and missed English and Gym finals 25 years before.

1993 – The movie “Sleepless in Seattle”, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, was released in theaters.

1995 – The band Pearl Jam canceled their tour because of an ongoing feud with Ticketmaster.

1997 – The Russian space station Mir was hit by the unmanned cargo vessel Progress. Much of the power supply was knocked out and the station’s Spektr module was severely damaged.

1997 – U.S. air pollution standards were significantly tightened by President Bill Clinton.

1997 – The National Hockey League approved expansion franchises for Nashville (1998), Atlanta (1999), Columbus (2000), and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (2000).

1998 – The Supreme Court ruled that the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 was unconstitutional.

1998 – The Supreme Court ruled that those infected with HIV are protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act.

1998 – Microsoft’s “Windows 98” was released to the public.

2000 – “Cats” closed after 18 years on Broadway.

2000 – U.S. and British researchers announced that they had completed a rough draft of a map of the genetic makeup of human beings. The project was 10 years old at the time of the announcement.

2000 – A Florida judge approved a class-action lawsuit to be filed against America Online (AOL) on behalf of hourly subscribers who were forced to view “pop-up” advertisements.

2003 – The Recording Industry Association of America disclosed its plans to fight Internet piracy. The plan was to sue hundreds of individual computer users who illegally share music files online. The process began the next day.

2009 – Michael Jackson, 50, who was preparing for a long series of concert dates in London, died in his bed at home in Holmby Hills, CA, the result of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol administered by his physician to help him sleep. The death was ruled a homicide and Dr. Conrad Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

2009 – Actress Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer at the age of 62. The onetime star of TV’s “Charlie’s Angels” also appeared in the films “The Apostle” and “Myra Breckenridge”.

2014 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police cannot examine the digital contents of a cell phone without a court order.

2020 – Appeals court ruled that Michigan gyms must remain closed during COVID-19, just hours before they were to re-open.

2021 – Former police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years and six months for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN.

BIRTHDAYS:

June Lockhart – 100 years old (1925) – Actress (TV’s “Lassie”, “Lost in Space”)

Barbara Montgomery – 86 years old (1939) – Actress (TV’s “Amen”, “Married People”)

Carly Simon – 80 years old (1945) – Singer (“You’re So Vain”)

Ian McDonald – 79 years old (1946) – Musician (King Crimson, Foreigner)

Jimmie Walker – 78 years old (1947) – Comedian, actor (Played J.J. on TV’s “Good Times”)

Michael Lembeck – 77 years old (1948) – Actor (TV’s “One Day at a Time”, “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”)

David Paich – 71 years old (1954) – Keyboardist, singer (Toto)

Ricky Gervais – 64 years old (1961) – Comedian, actor (TV’s “The Office” in the U.K., movies “The Invention of Lying”, “Ghost Town”)

Linda Cardellini – 50 years old (1975) – Actress (TV’s “ER”, “Freaks and Geeks”, the “Scooby-Doo” movies)

Busy Philipps – 46 years old (1979) – Actress (TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”)

TODAY IS:

Global Beatles Day: Put on your favorite Beatles record and honor the British global phenomenon that changed the face of music forever, and continues to influence musicians everywhere.
National Catfish Day: Cook up some catfish at home, visit a catfish festival, or find a local restaurant serving this tasty fish to make the most of National Catfish Day.
Goat Cheese Day: See what goats cheeses are local to your area, and give them a try. Find a recipe, or simply taste-test a few to see what you like best and diversify your food.
Color TV Day: Host a TV or movie watching marathon and work your way through different eras to see how color TV has developed, improved and changed over time.
National Strawberry Parfait Day: The perfect summer treat: a base of cut up vanilla pound cake, followed by layers of yogurt or custard and strawberries, built up until the glass is full.
International Day of the Seafarer: Raising awareness and support for those who live their lives on the sea, it’s time to learn about and celebrate International Day of the Seafarer. How to Celebrate International Day of the Seafarer Try out some of these ways to celebrate and observe the International Day of the Seafarer: Thank...
Reserves Day: Reserves Day is a vibrant celebration dedicated to acknowledging the contributions of reservists who balance civilian life with military duties. These individuals commit their time to serve in the Reserve Forces, ready to support national security whenever needed. Reserves Day highlights their role and encourages public appreciation for their dedication...
World Vitiligo Day: Celebrating skin's unique beauty fosters acceptance, inclusivity, and appreciation for individual differences in our diverse world.
National Day of Joy: National Day of Joy is a celebration that invites everyone to look for simple bursts of happiness in daily life. It’s a friendly nudge to focus on what sparks a smile, whether that's a warm embrace from a loved one or a playful moment with a friend. This day highlights joy...
National Camp Counts Day: National Camp Counts Day celebrates the role of summer camps in young lives. It honors how camps shape self‑worth, leadership, and real connections. Camp offers time away from screens and routines. It brings kids together with caring adults. This helps them learn teamwork, kindness, and responsibility. Camp moments often stick with...
Bourdain Day: Bourdain Day celebrates a chef, storyteller, and traveler who taught us to dig deeper than flavor. The day honors Anthony Bourdain, born June 25th, and it highlights the way he used food to bring people together across cultures. Friends and fellow chefs Eric Ripert and José Andrés created this tribute not just to mark...
National Parchment Day: Steam rises as you peel open a parchment packet, revealing tender fish, bright herbs, and warm citrus slices. It’s like unwrapping a tiny, fragrant surprise. Parchment paper doesn’t just keep things neat—it turns simple ingredients into something special. It seals in moisture, blends flavors, and saves time on cleanup. Even...
National Leon Day: Marking the day that means the coming Christmas is closer than last year’s Christmas, National Leon Day falls just in the middle! It serves as an invitation (or for some, perhaps, a warning) that it’s time to get ready for the next winter holiday season. How to Celebrate National Leon...
Croatia Independence Day: Croatia's Independence Day is a celebration of national pride and unity. It marks the moment when the country took a stand for self-determination and embarked on a journey toward sovereignty. Croatians across the country participate in various festivities, including concerts, fireworks, and cultural events, all of which highlight the rich...
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...
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...
Organic Beer Fest: The Organic Beer Fest is a celebration of brews made from ingredients grown without the use of synthetic chemicals. It brings together craft brewers, musicians, food vendors, and sustainability promoters in a relaxed, friendly park setting. Visitors wander between tents full of organic beer, cider, and mead, tasting styles from crisp...
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...