May 13

Scott Winters May 13, 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:

1607 – An expedition led by Captain Christopher Newport arrived at Jamestown, VA. The passengers went ashore the next day, and this site became the first permanent English colony in America.

1821 – The first practical printing press was patented in the U.S. by Samuel Rust.

1857 – Michigan Agricultural College opened in Lansing, MI, with 75 students. It is now known as Michigan State University.

1873 – Ludwig M. Wolf patented the sewing machine lamp holder.

1880 – Thomas Edison tested his experimental electric railway in Menlo Park, NJ.

1897 – Guglielmo Marconi sent the world’s first wireless communication over open sea.

1911 – The New York Giants set a major league baseball record. Ten runners crossed home plate before the first out of the game against St. Louis.

1918 – The first airmail postage stamps were issued with airplanes on them. The denominations were 6, 16, and 24 cents.

1939 – The first commercial FM radio station in the U.S. was launched in Bloomfield, CT. The station later became WDRC-FM.

1949 – The first gas turbine to pump natural gas was installed in Wilmar, AR.

1950 – Diner’s Club issued the first credit cards.

1954 – President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Act.

1958 – The trademark “Velcro” was registered.

1958 – Ben Carlin became the first (and only) person to circumnavigate the world by amphibious vehicle. He traveled over 11,000 miles by sea and 39,000 miles by land during a ten-year journey.

1967 – Mickey Mantle hit his 500th homerun.

1970 – “Let It Be”, a British documentary film starring the Beatles, premiered.

1979 – Max Robinson joined ABC’s “World News Tonight” and became the first black anchorman on a national network.

1980 – A deadly F3 tornado ripped through the downtown Kalamazoo business district. President Jimmy Carter declared it a Federal disaster area.

1981 – Pope John Paul II was shot in St. Peter’s Square.

1982 – The Chicago Cubs became the first major league baseball team to win 8,000 games.

1985 – Tony Perez became the oldest major league baseball player to hit a grand slam home run at the age of 42 and 11 months.

1994 – Johnny Carson made his last television appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman”.

2002 – Dionne Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport after baggage screeners found 11 marijuana cigarettes inside her lipstick container. She was later cleared of the charges.

2003 – The U.S. government unveiled a newly designed version of the $20 bill. It was the first to be colorized in an effort to stop counterfeiters.

2004 – NBC aired the final episode of TV’s “Frasier”. It was on the air for 11 seasons.

2008 – A 42 cent postage stamp honoring Frank Sinatra went on sale on the 10th anniversary of his death.

BIRTHDAYS:

Zohra Lampert – 88 years old (1937) – Actress (“Alan & Naomi”, “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death”, “Splendor in the Grass”)

Harvey Keitel – 86 years old (1939) – Actor (“Pulp Fiction”, “Thelma and Louise”, “Taxi Driver”, “Bugsy”, “Reservoir Dogs”, “Bad Lieutenant”, “The Piano”)

Magic Dick – 80 years old (1945) – Harmonica, trumpet & saxophone player (J. Geils Band)

Franklin Ajaye – 76 years old (1949) – Actor, comedian (“Fraternity Vacation”, “Convoy”, “Bridesmaids”, “Car Wash”, TV’s “Deadwood”)

Stevie Wonder – 75 years old (1950) – Musician (“You Are the Sunshine of My Life”, “I Just Called to Say I Love You”). Born in Saginaw, MI.

John Kasich – 73 years old (1952) – Ohio governor and former Fox News Channel host

Frances Barber – 68 years old (1957) – Actress (TV’s “The Street”, “Doctor Who”, “Silk”, movies “Prick Up Your Ears”, “Sammy and Rosie Get Laid”, “Soft Top Hard Shoulder”, “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”)

Dennis Rodman – 64 years old (1961) – Basketball player (Detroit Pistons 1986-1993)

Stephen Colbert – 61 years old (1964) – Television host (TV’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”, “The Colbert Report”

Tom Verica – 61 years old (1964) – Actor (TV’s “American Dreams”)

Darius Rucker – 59 years old (1966) – Lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist (Hootie and the Blowfish)

Samantha Morton – 48 years old (1977) – Actress (“Emma”, “Jane Eyre”, “Under the Skin”)

Lena Dunham – 39 years old (1986) – Actress (TV’s “Girls”, “Tiny Furniture”)

Hunter Parrish – 38 years old (1987) – Actor (“Weeds”)

Robert Pattinson – 39 years old (1986) – Actor (“Twilight”, “New Moon”, “Bel Ami”, “Water for Elephants”, “Remember Me”)

Debby Ryan – 32 years old (1993) – Actress (“Barney: Let’s Go to the Firehouse”, “The Longshots”)

TODAY IS:

Top Gun Day: Host a watch party, with costumes and topical games, or simply gather your friends to watch the 1986 Tom Cruse classic Top Gun and its sequels.
World Cocktail Day: Host or attend a cocktail party and try out some new flavors, or perfect your hand at mixing any number of drinks, from a White Russian to a classic Cosmo.
International Hummus Day: Learn to make hummus, put together a hummus sampler plate, or host a party and have your friends bring different hummuses and tasty dipping options.
National Apple Pie Day: The American classic, a staple of holiday dinners and grandma’s cooking. Try your hand at making your own Apple pie, or visit a diner or bakery and indulge.
International PMO Day: Delve into the integral role of PMOs, orchestrating seamless strategies, ensuring project success, and fostering organizational resilience.
Leprechaun Day: National Leprechaun Day, celebrated each year, sparks a wave of enthusiasm for Ireland's enchanting folklore. On this day, people pay homage to the mischievous and iconic leprechauns, famous for their hidden pots of gold and magical antics! How to Celebrate National Leprechaun Day Dress Like a Leprechaun One could slip into a green...
Cough Drop Day: Did you know that Cough Drop Day is celebrated every year, paying homage the soothing little helpers for our throats? How to Celebrate Cough Drop Day Celebrating Cough Drop Day can be both fun and enlightening, with a touch of quirkiness to spice up the event! Here are some playful and engaging...
National Crouton Day: These crunchy bread bites are the perfect addition to any salad or soup, adding texture and flavor — easy to make at home!
IEEE Global Engineering Day: Ever wonder who makes all the amazing things we use every day? IEEE Global Engineering Day puts those brilliant problem-solvers in the spotlight. It’s a worldwide celebration of the people who turn big ideas into real inventions. Engineers build things that keep our world moving—from power systems to smartphones. Their...
National Fruit Cocktail Day: What joy it is to sip on a refreshing fruit cocktail! Imagine the delightful mix of colorful fruit flavors that can bring a smile to anyone's face. National Fruit Cocktail Day is all about the delightful mix of vibrant fruit flavors that bring a smile to anyone's face. It's a...
National Frog Jumping Day: Discover Mark Twain’s bizarre and originally unpublished tale of jumping frogs, “The celebrated jumping frog of Calaveras County, and other sketches”.
Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day: Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day draws attention to something many people don’t think about—how health can work differently in male and female bodies. It’s not always the same symptoms, same treatment, or even the same reaction to medicine. A woman having a heart attack might feel sick to her stomach...
Children of Fallen Patriots Day: Children of Fallen Patriots Day honors the sons and daughters of military heroes who died in service. These young people carry the weight of loss while striving toward their dreams. The day brings attention to their strength and the challenges they face. It reminds us that behind every fallen soldier...
Bike to Work Week: Bike to Work Week is a special time celebrated each year across the United States. This event encourages people to ride their bikes to work or anywhere else they need to go as part of a larger movement to promote cycling and its benefits. How to Celebrate Bike to Work Week Embracing...
Learning at Work Week: Learning at Work Week is a special time dedicated to boosting learning culture within the workplace. Celebrated annually, this initiative encourages all types of organizations to engage in activities that foster learning among their teams. The goal is to make learning an integral part of working life, benefiting individual growth and...
Christian Aid Week: Christian Aid Week is an important time that provides urgent humanitarian relief to the less fortunate and urges long-term programs to help. It calls out the plight of the suffering, giving immediate aid. But it does more; it stands up for the rights of - and demands justice for -...
Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
National Hospital Week: Whether performing a small elective procedure or treating a life-threatening illness, hospitals are critical places that make a huge difference in the health of individuals, families and communities across the nation. National Hospital Week is here to celebrate and show appreciation for all of the different people who are integral...
National Public Gardens Week: National Public Gardens Week shines a spotlight on the incredible beauty and significance of public gardens. Held each year in early May, it's a week-long celebration designed to highlight the vital role these gardens play in our communities. From fragrant flower displays to serene landscapes, they offer more than just...
M.E. Awareness Week: M.E. Awareness Week, celebrated annually, highlights the struggles of people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). The week encourages empathy for those affected and serves as a time for people to learn more about this condition. The campaign is organized by various charities, patient groups, and healthcare professionals working together to increase...
National Salvation Army Week: Supporting those in need, providing hope, and creating positive change—efforts that embody the essence of humanitarian assistance.
I Love My State Parks Week: The United States defines up to 10,000 different areas as state parks. State parks protect more than 14 million acres of landscape, ranging from coastal beaches to forests, sandy deserts to swampland. In addition, state parks provide local residents with opportunities for recreation, access to clean and safe green spaces...