June 29

Scott Winters June 29, 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:

1804 – Privates John Collins and Hugh Hall, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, were found guilty by a court-martial consisting of members of the Corps of Discovery for getting drunk on duty. Collins received 100 lashes on his back and Hall received 50.

1860 – The first iron-pile lighthouse was completed at Minot’s Ledge, MA.

1888 – Professor Frederick Treves performed the first appendectomy in England.

1889 – Hyde Park and several other Illinois townships voted to be annexed by Chicago, forming the largest U.S. city in area and second largest in population.

1897 – The Chicago Cubs scored 36 runs in a game against Louisville, setting a record for runs scored by a team in a single game.

1925 – Marvin Pipkin filed for a patent for the frosted electric light bulb.

1927 – “The Bird of Paradise”, a U.S. Army Air Corps Fokker tri-motor, completed the first transpacific flight, from the mainland United States to Hawaii.

1941 – Joe DiMaggio got a base hit in his 42nd consecutive game. He broke George Sisler’s record from 1922.

1953 – The Federal Highway Act authorized the construction of 42,500 miles of interstate highway from coast to coast.

1964 – The TV remote control was invented.

1969 – Jim Northup, of the Detroit Tigers, hit his third grand slam in seven days, a Major League first.

1972 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty could constitute “cruel and unusual punishment”. The ruling prompted states to revise their capital punishment laws.

1975 – Steve Wozniak tested his first prototype of the Apple I computer.

1986 – Virgin Records founder Richard Branson established a world speed record for crossing the Atlantic by boat.

1987 – Vincent Van Gogh’s “Le Pont de Trinquetaille” was bought for $20.4 million at an auction in London, England.

1988 – The movie “Coming To America”, starring Eddie Murphy, premiered in theaters.

1995 – George Foreman was stripped of his IBF heavyweight title for refusing a rematch with German boxer Axel Schulz.

1995 – The Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir docked, forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit the Earth.

1996 – Superman Action Comics #1 sold for $61,900 at auction in New York, NY.

1998 – LMN, the Lifetime Movie Network, debuted.

1998 – Katie Couric of TV’s “Today” Show signed a four-year contract that put her in the same salary league as Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather — a reported $7 million annually.

1998 – With negotiations on a new labor agreement at a standstill, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that a lockout would be imposed at midnight.

2000 – In Santa Rosa, CA, the official groundbreaking ceremony took place for the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

2005 – The Steven Spielberg adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel, “The War of the Worlds”, debuted in theaters.

2007 – The first generation Apple iPhone went on sale for $500.

2007 – The Pixar animated movie “Ratatouille” premiered in theaters.

2009 – In Grand Rapids, MI, Oldies 98.7 WFGR flipped to Classic Hits 98.7 WFGR at 9:00 am.

2011 – The state of Nevada passed the first law that permitted the operation of autonomous cars on public roads. The law went into effect on March 1, 2012 and did not permit the use of the cars to the general public. Google received the first self-driving vehicle license in the U.S. on May 4, 2012 in Nevada.

2012 – The movie “Magic Mike”, starring Channing Tatum, premiered in theaters. The movie made $167 million and only cost $7 million to make.

2012 – The movie “Ted”, starring Mark Wahlberg, premiered in theaters.

BIRTHDAYS:

Gary Busey – 81 years old (1944) – Actor (“The Buddy Holly Story”, TV’s “Celebrity Rehab”, “Celebrity Apprentice”)

Fred Grandy – 77 years old (1948) – Actor, politician (Played Gopher on TV’s “The Love Boat”)

Ian Paice – 77 years old (1948) – Drummer (Deep Purple)

Dan Dierdorf – 76 years old (1949) – Football player, commentator

Colin Hay – 72 years old (1953) – Singer (Men at Work)

María Conchita Alonso – 68 years old (1957) – Actress (“The Running Man”, “Chasing Papi”)

Sharon Lawrence – 64 years old (1961) – Actress (TV’s “NYPD Blue”)

Amanda Donohoe – 63 years old (1962) – Actress (“The Lair of the White Worm”, TV’s “Murder City”, “Bad Girls”, “LA Law”)

Kathleen Wilhoite – 61 years old (1964) – Actress (TV’s “ER”, “Gilmore Girls”, “Pepper-Ann”)

Melora Hardin – 58 years old (1967) – Actress (TV’s “The Office”)

Zuleikha Robinson – 48 years old (1977) – Actress (TV’s “Lost”)

Nicole Scherzinger – 47 years old (1978) – Singer (The Pussycat Dolls, TV’s “Dancing With the Stars: Season 10”)

TODAY IS:

National Camera Day: Dust off an old digital camera, buy a disposable camera, or just fire up your smartphone and snap some pictures of your day to keep those memories forever.
World Industrial Design Day: Attend an industrial design expo, sign up for a class, and learn about the many exciting career opportunities for these innovative visionaries.
National Waffle Iron Day: Splurge on a fun waffle iron like a Mickey Mouse shaped one, or dig out that iron from the back of your cabinet and enjoy one of the greatest breakfast treats.
Log Cabin Day: Warm and inviting, an image away from the buzz of modern life: take a tour of log cabins in your area, and let yourself daydream of a simpler life.
International Mud Day: Participate in a Mud Run, join or watch some Mud Wrestling, or just get out in the dirt with friends or family and let loose by getting messy and having fun.
St Peter’s Day: St. Peter’s Day celebrates the life and mission of Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers and the first leader of the Church. Many Christians around the world mark this day with special worship services to honor his courage, dedication, and role in guiding the early Church. People remember his transformation from...
Hug Holiday: Looking for an excuse to get or give a hug? Well, look no further than Hug Holiday! This day is the perfect one to show affection to family, friends and even pets that are within arm’s reach. Learn about the history of and how to celebrate Hug Holiday. How to...
International Day of the Tropics: International Day of the Tropics highlights the beauty and challenges of the world’s most vibrant region. The tropics stretch across the planet, home to most of its biodiversity and a vast range of unique ecosystems. Sunlight floods this region year-round, fueling rich plant and animal life while shaping traditions that...
National Almond Buttercrunch Day: Butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, almonds, and chocolate chips: that’s all it takes to make the crunchy or chewy treat known as almond buttercrunch.
National Dieselbilly Day: National Dieselbilly Day is all about the gritty, foot-stomping sound that comes from blending country, rock, and a whole lot of twang. It celebrates the music of Bill Kirchen, a guitar player who made trucker songs roar with life. His playing hits like a dusty highway at sunset—raw, real, and...
International Fisherman Day: International Fisherman Day honors people who risk rough seas to bring seafood to tables around the globe. It salutes their skill and daily strength. Crowded harbors and dawn-lit decks frame their story. This day reminds us that fisheries feed billions and support jobs from artisans to market workers. Communities breathe thanks...
Bumba Meu Boi: Bumba Meu Boi is a captivating festival that blends theater, dance, and music into a lively celebration of Brazilian folklore. It tells the tale of an ox, central to the narrative, which symbolizes life, death, and rebirth. The story often involves a playful, dramatic performance featuring a farmer, a pregnant...
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...
ARRL Field Day: ARRL Field Day, celebrated annually, is a big day for amateur radio enthusiasts. It's not just any radio event; it's the most popular on-air gathering in the U.S. Thousands of radio operators across North America get together to connect, compete, and have fun with their radios. How to Celebrate ARRL Field Day Join...