May 13

Scott Winters, Realtor

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

Harvey Keitel – 85 years old (1939) – Actor (“Pulp Fiction”, “Thelma and Louise”, “Taxi Driver”, “Bugsy”, “Reservoir Dogs”, “Bad Lieutenant”, “The Piano”)

Magic Dick – 79 years old (1945) – Harmonica, trumpet & saxophone player (J. Geils Band)

Franklin Ajaye – 75 years old (1949) – Actor, comedian (“Fraternity Vacation”, “Convoy”, “Bridesmaids”, “Car Wash”, TV’s “Deadwood”)

Stevie Wonder – 74 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 – 72 years old (1952) – Ohio governor and former Fox News Channel host

Frances Barber – 67 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 – 63 years old (1961) – Basketball player (Detroit Pistons 1986-1993)

Stephen Colbert – 60 years old (1964) – Television host (TV’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”, “The Colbert Report”

Tom Verica – 60 years old (1964) – Actor (TV’s “American Dreams”)

Darius Rucker – 58 years old (1966) – Lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist (Hootie and the Blowfish)

Samantha Morton – 47 years old (1977) – Actress (“Emma”, “Jane Eyre”, “Under the Skin”)

Lena Dunham – 38 years old (1986) – Actress (TV’s “Girls”, “Tiny Furniture”)

Hunter Parrish – 37 years old (1987) – Actor (“Weeds”)

Robert Pattinson – 38 years old (1986) – Actor (“Twilight”, “New Moon”, “Bel Ami”, “Water for Elephants”, “Remember Me”)

Debby Ryan – 31 years old (1993) – Actress (“Barney: Let’s Go to the Firehouse”, “The Longshots”)

 

TODAY IS:

Archery Day

Cornelia De Lange Syndrome Awareness Day

International Hummus Day

Leprechaun Day

National Apple Pie Day

National Babysitter’s Day

National Birth Mother’s Day

National Crouton Day

National Dog Mom’s Day

National Frog Jumping Day

National Fruit Cocktail Day

National Miniature Golf Day

National Train Day

National Windmill Day

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day

Top Gun Day

World Bellydance Day

World Buckfast Day

World Cocktail Day

World Fair Trade Day

World Migratory Bird Day

 

For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.

My goal is to keep you informed and/or entertained on a regular basis. Maybe you'll learn something new, or just get that much needed laugh. My topics will include a wide range of subjects....from what's going on in the world, to places I've been, things I've seen, or even just a fun video that I've found online. Check back often to see what I've posted.

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