May 24

Scott Winters May 24, 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:

1738 – The Methodist Church was established.

1749 -To attract settlers to Detroit, the governor general of New France (Canada) offered each man who settle there a spade, an axe, a cow, a sow, a ploughshare, one large and one small wagon and seed. More than one hundred people accepted the offer over the first two years.

1764 – Bostonian lawyer James Otis denounced “taxation without representation” and called for the colonies to unite in demonstrating their opposition to Britain’s new tax measures.

1830 – The first passenger railroad service in the U.S. began service.

1830 – The poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, by Sarah Hale, was published.

1844 – Samuel F.B. Morse formally opened America’s first telegraph line. The first message was sent from Washington, DC, to Baltimore, MD. The message was “What hath God wrought?”

1878 – The first American bicycle race was held in Boston, MA.

1883 – After 14 years of construction the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to traffic.

1899 – The first public garage was opened by W.T. McCullough.

1913 – The U.S. Department of Labor entered into its first strike mediation. The dispute was between the Railroad Clerks of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.

1930 – Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly from England to Australia.

1931 – B&O Railroad began service with the first passenger train to have air conditioning throughout. The run was between New York, NY and Washington, DC.

1935 – The Cincinnati Reds played the Philadelphia Phillies in the first major league baseball game at night. Over 20,000 fans watched as the switch for the floodlights was thrown by President Franklin Roosevelt.

1950 – Nate “Sweetwater” Clifton of The Harlem Globetrotters became the first African American player in the NBA when the New York Knicks purchase his contract.

1954 – The first moving sidewalk in a railroad station was opened in Jersey City, NJ.

1958 – United Press International was formed through a merger of the United Press and the International News Service.

1962 – American astronaut Scott Carpenter became the second American astronaut to orbit the Earth. He orbited the Earth three times in the Aurora 7 space capsule.

1962 – The officials of the National Football League ruled that halftime of regular season games would be cut to 15 minutes.

1967 – California Governor Ronald Reagan greeted Charles M. Schulz at the state capitol in observance of the legislature-proclaimed “Charles Schulz Day.”

1974 – Muhammad Ali scored a TKO over Richard Dunn in Munich to retain his heavyweight title.

1974 – After nine seasons on TV, NBC aired the final “Dean Martin Show”.

1976 – Supersonic Concorde service began between Paris and London and Washington, DC.

1980 – The International Court of Justice issued a final decision calling for the release of the hostages taken at the U.S. embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979.

1984 – The Detroit Tigers won a record 17th consecutive road games.

1989 – The movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” opened in theaters.

1991 – The movie “Thelma and Louise” opened in theaters with Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in the title roles and directed by Ridley Scott.

1999 – Mike Tyson was released from a Maryland jail, having served 3-1/2 months for assaulting two motorists after a collision.

2000 – A Democratic Party event for Al Gore in Washington brought in $26.5 million. The amount set a new record, which had just been set the previous month by Republicans for Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

2001 – Temba Tsheri, 16, became the youngest person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

2006 – Taylor Hicks won TV’s “American Idol” Season 4.

2007 – Congress approved the first minimum wage hike in nearly a decade. The measure upped the $5.15 per hour minimum wage by 70 cents before the end of the summer. Wages were boosted another 70 cents the next year, and the minimum wage would be $7.25 by the summer of 2009.

2011 – NASA announced the development of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) spacecraft. It is intended to facilitate exploration of the Moon, asteroids and Mars.

2022 – A mass shooting occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, resulting in the deaths of 21 people, including 19 children.

BIRTHDAYS:

Tommy Chong – 87 years old (1938) – Comedian, actor (Cheech and Chong, “Up in Smoke”, “Nice Dreams”, “Half Baked”, TV’s “That ’70s Show”)

Bob Dylan – 84 years old (1941) – Musician, singer (Traveling Wilburys)

Gary Burghoff – 82 years old (1943) – Actor (Played Radar O’Reilly on TV’s “”M*A*S*H””)

Patti LaBelle – 81 years old (1944) – Singer (“Lady Marmalade”)

Priscilla Presley – 80 years old (1945) – Elvis Presley’s ex-wife, actress (TV’s “Dallas”, “Naked Gun” movies)

Waddy Wachtel – 78 years old (1947) – Musician, composer, record producer

Jim Broadbent – 76 years old (1949) – Actor (“Iris”, “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince”, “The Young Victoria”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”, “Gangs of New York”, “Moulin Rouge”)

Alfred Molina – 72 years old (1953) – Actor (“Spider Man 2”)

Rosanne Cash – 70 years old (1955) – Singer

Kristin Scott Thomas – 65 years old (1960) – Actress (“Under the Cherry Moon”, “The English Patient”)

Joe Dumars – 62 years old (1963) – Basketball player (Detroit Pistons 1985-1999, President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons 2000-2014)

John C. Reilly – 60 years old (1965) – Actor (“Chicago”, “Gangs of New York”, “The Hours”, “Walk Hard”, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”, “The Aviator”, “Magnolia”, “Boogie Nights”, “Carnage”, “Step Brothers”)

Erin Close – 58 years old (1967) – Actor (TV’s “Nashville”, “Without a Trace”)

Rich Robinson – 56 years old (1969) – Musician (The Black Crowes)

Brad Penny – 47 years old (1978) – Baseball player (Detroit Tigers 2011)

TODAY IS:

National Scavenger Hunt Day: Get ready for an adventure! Scavenger hunts are a wild ride filled with excitement, discovery, and maybe a few clues along the way. So gather your friends and set out on the ultimate quest for treasure!
National Escargot Day: It was a brave man who first ate a snail. Yet, escargot is a classic French delicacy, and possibly the first farmed creatures in history. Give it a try, at least.
Brother’s Day: Get in touch with your brother, brothers or someone you think of as one, and spend some quality time together, in-person or virtually.
Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day: Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day (ARMAD) is a lively event where amateur radio enthusiasts come together to honor military service members. On this day, people use radio waves to send messages of gratitude to soldiers, veterans, and first responders. The unique experience of hearing and sending live messages of...
Día del Completo: Día del Completo is a fun and tasty celebration in Chile that honors the country’s favorite hot dog. The completo is not just any hot dog; it’s a feast on a bun packed with ingredients like avocado, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and sauerkraut. On this special day, people across Chile indulge in these...
International Tiara Day: Shine with pride and self-worth by wearing a figurative or literal tiara on Tiara Day. Take time to do something for yourself, and enjoy the glittery side of life.
Aviation Maintenance Technician Day: If you know someone who works in aviation, give them a big thanks for keeping fliers and everyone else safe on Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.
National Caterers Appreciation Day: National Caterers Appreciation Day acknowledges and appreciates the hardworking individuals who ensure our events are memorable with their culinary expertise. Caterers don't just provide food; they craft delightful experiences that bring people together. From weddings to corporate gatherings, they work tirelessly behind the scenes, handling everything from menu planning to...
International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament: International Women's Day for Peace and Disarmament highlights the efforts of women striving for a world without war. It brings attention to their work in promoting peace and reducing weapons. Women across the globe continue to campaign for peace, often in challenging environments. Their efforts focus on creating safer communities...
World Schizophrenia Awareness Day: World Schizophrenia Awareness Day highlights the challenges faced by individuals living with schizophrenia. This mental health condition affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may experience symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. These symptoms can make daily life difficult. Unfortunately, misunderstandings about schizophrenia often lead...
National Yucatán Shrimp Day: National Yucatán Shrimp Day celebrates a dish bursting with vibrant flavors. Originating from Florida's Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, Yucatán shrimp features plump, peel-and-eat shrimp bathed in a spicy, citrusy sauce. This culinary creation draws inspiration from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, blending fresh seafood with tangy, zesty seasonings. The day highlights...
National Wyoming Day: Celebrating National Wyoming Day allows residents, vistors and others who love Wyoming to reflect on the state's unique contributions to American history. How to Celebrate National Wyoming Day Celebrating National Wyoming Day offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the state's rich culture and history. Here are some engaging ways to...
Saints Cyril and Methodius Day: Saints Cyril and Methodius Day honors two brothers who played a key role in spreading Christianity and literacy. They are celebrated for creating the Glagolitic alphabet, which allowed Slavic people to read and write in their language. This achievement made religious texts accessible, greatly influencing the cultural development of the...
International Heritage Breeds Week: Support the survival of classic livestock breeds like Oberhasli goats, Wiltshire Wild Horn sheep, and Gloucester Old Spot pigs during Heritage Breeds Week.
Be Nice to Nettles Week: Be Nice to Nettles Week is a vibrant annual event that shines a spotlight on the humble nettle plant. Celebrated in mid-May, this period encourages us to appreciate the ecological and health benefits of nettles. How to Celebrate Be Nice to Nettles Week Here are five quirky and playful ways to dive...
Dementia Action Week: Dementia Action Week is a key time of action. It’s time to step up your game on behalf of those who live with the disease. This event means different things while being significant to many different people. But one thing about it is the same -- it should bring us all...
National Safe Sun Week: National Safe Sun Week is a special time dedicated to educating people about the dangers of too much sun and how to stay safe. Held in the last week of May, right before the Memorial Day holiday, it marks the beginning of summer. This is when folks often start spending...
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 Children’s Gardening Week: Did you know that children who spend time in gardens often grow up to be more environmentally conscious? National Children’s Gardening Week aims to inspire a love for gardening among kids. Held annually in the late spring, this event is a great opportunity to encourage children to explore nature! How to...
Italian Beef Week: What's better than sinking your teeth into a juicy sandwich piled high with tender beef, topped with sweet peppers?