May 29

Scott Winters May 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:

1721 – South Carolina was formally incorporated as a royal colony.

1790 – Rhode Island became the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1827 – The first nautical school opened in Nantucket, MA, under the name Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin’s Lancasterian School.

1848 – Former Michigan Governor and Senator Lewis Cass was nominated as candidate for U.S. President. He was defeated in the election by Zachary Taylor.

1848 – Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the United States.

1849 – A patent for lifting vessels was granted to Abraham Lincoln.

1856 – In Bloomington, Illinois, President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech and said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.”

1886 – Pharmacist John Pemberton placed his first advertisement for Coca-Cola. The ad appeared in The Atlanta Journal.

1910 – An airplane raced a train from Albany, NY, to New York, NY. The airplane pilot Glenn Curtiss won the $10,000 prize.

1912 – Fifteen women were dismissed from their jobs at the Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia, PA, for dancing the “Turkey Trot” while on the job.

1916 – The official flag of the President of the United States was adopted.

1919 – The pop-up toaster was patented by Charles Strite.

1922 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that organized baseball was a sport, not subject to antitrust laws.

1942 – Bing Crosby recorded his Christmas song “White Christmas”. It’s the best selling single of all time.

1951 – C.F. Blair became the first man to fly over the North Pole in single engine plane.

1953 – Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became first men to reach the top of Mount Everest.

1962 – Buck (John) O’Neil became the first black coach in major league baseball when he accepted the job with the Chicago Cubs.

1974 – President Richard Nixon agreed to turn over 1,200 pages of edited Watergate transcripts.

1978 – Postage stamps were raised from 13 cents to 15 cents.

1977 – Janet Guthrie becomes the first woman to drive in the Indianapolis 500.

1981 – The U.S. performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site.

1985 – Thirty-nine people were killed and 400 were injured in a riot at a European Cup soccer match in Brussels, Belgium.

1986 – Colonel Oliver North told National Security Advisor William McFarlane that profits from weapons sold to Iran were being diverted to the Contras.

1988 – President Ronald Reagan began his first visit to the Soviet Union when he arrived in Moscow for a superpower summit with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

1999 – The Space Shuttle Discovery completed the first docking with the International Space Station.

2001 – In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Casey Martin, a golfer with a degenerative disease, has the legal right under the Americans with Disabilities Act to ride a golf cart during tournaments.

2003 – Scientists created a cloned mule named Idaho Gem from a cell from a mule fetus and a horse egg.

2004 – The National World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC.

2006 – Charlie Gibson took over as sole anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight”.

2006 – Kimberly Dozier, a CBS television correspondent covering the war in Iraq, was injured in a roadside bombing in Baghdad and hospitalized in critical condition.

2009 – The Pixar animated movie “Up” premiered in theaters.

2015 – The Obama administration removed Cuba from the U.S. terrorism blacklist. The two countries had severed diplomatic relations in January of 1961.

2015 – One World Observatory at One World Trade Center opened.

2015 – The movie “Jurassic World” premiered in theaters.

2018 – ABC TV cancelled the sitcom “Roseanne” after star Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet.

2021 – A Cessna Citation I/SP crashed into Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee, killing all six people on board, including actor Joe Lara and his wife Gwen Shamblin Lara.

BIRTHDAYS:

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963) – 35th President of the United States. Was assassinated in Dallas, TX on November 22nd, 1963 at the age 46.

Tony Geary – 78 years old (1947) – Actor (Played Luke Spencer on TV’s “General Hospital”)

Rebbie Jackson – 75 years old (1950) – Singer (The Jacksons)

Danny Elfman – 72 years old (1953) – Musician, film and TV score composer

John Hinckley Jr. – 70 years old (1955) – Attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981

LaToya Jackson – 69 years old (1956) – Singer, songwriter, musician, actress

Annette Bening – 67 years old (1958) – Actress (“The Grifters”, “American Beauty”, “Being Julia”, “The Kids Are All Right”)

Rupert Everett – 66 years old (1959) – Actor (“My Best Friend’s Wedding”, “The Next Best Thing”, “Shrek 2”, “Shrek the Third”)

Adrian Paul – 66 years old (1959) – Actor (TV’s “Highlander: The Series”)

Mel Gaynor – 66 years old (1959) – Drummer (Simple Minds)

Melissa Etheridge – 64 years old (1961) – Singer

Blaze Bayley – 62 years old (1963) – Vocalist (Iron Maiden)

Tracey Bregman – 62 years old (1963) – Actress (TV’s “Young and the Restless”, “The Bold and the Beautiful”)

Lisa Whelchel – 62 years old (1963) – Actress (Played Blair Warner on TV’s “The Facts of Life”)

Noel Gallagher – 58 years old (1967) – Vocalist, guitarist (Oasis)

Chan Kinchla – 56 years old (1969) – Guitarist (Blues Traveler)

Mel B – 50 years old (1975) – Scary Spice of Spice Girls

Riley Keough – 36 years old (1989) – Actress (“Mad Max: Fury Road”, “Magic Mike”, “The Runaways”, TV’s “The Girlfriend Experience”)

TODAY IS:

National Alligator Day: In the swamps and wetlands of the American South, some ancient reptiles silently patrol the waters, showcasing nature's remarkable adaptability.
International Everest Day: Climb your own “Everest” by taking a hike or climb at a local hill. Want to do the real thing? Start training and researching so you can conquer that peak.
National Biscuit Day: In the US, they’re flaky bread rolls. In the UK, they’re sweet, crispy treats known as cookies in the US. Bake your own, and try different varieties and flavors.
World Digestive Health Day: Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated are key to ensuring optimal function and overall well-being.
National Paperclip Day: Paper clips can do everything from hold papers together (duh) to hang ornaments or scratch lottery tickets. Try some arts, crafts, and DIY using paper clips.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers: The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is a special day that shines a light on the brave men and women working to keep peace worldwide. Celebrated every year, this day marks the start of the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1948. It's a time to remember the dedication and courage...
Put a Pillow on your Fridge Day: Prior to in-home refrigeration, people would put a piece of cloth in their larder once a year for luck. Put a pillow on your fridge to keep the tradition going.
National Coq Au Vin Day: Indulge your taste buds with Coq au Vin! This classic French dish is the epitome of indulgence, filled with rich flavors, tender chicken, and a touch of wine. So go ahead, raise your fork and enjoy a little taste of France.
Learn About Composting Day: Start a composting pile or get a composting bin and start making your own rich, fertile soil while getting rid of nasty food waste in a sustainable way.
Oak Apple Day: Oak Apple Day, marked annually, brings together communities in England to celebrate King Charles II's restoration to the throne in 1660. The occasion is rich in festivity, characterized by lively gatherings and traditional customs. It holds significance as a reminder of unity and shared heritage! How to Celebrate Oak Apple...
World Tiger Nut Day: Small but mighty, these golden nuggets offer a nutritious crunch, surprising taste, and endless culinary possibilities.
National 529 Day: Picture a young child with big dreams—maybe they want to be a doctor, an artist, or an engineer. National 529 Day is all about helping families turn those dreams into reality by smartly saving for education. A 529 plan is like a special piggy bank, but instead of just holding...
National Snail Day: National Snail Day brings attention to the small, shelled creatures we often overlook. Snails move slowly, but they do important work. They help clean up nature by breaking down plants and enriching the soil. Many live quietly in gardens, forests, rivers, and even deep oceans. With soft bodies and spiral...
National Hydroxyapatite Day: Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that makes up most of our bones and teeth. It gives them strength and structure. In toothpaste, hydroxyapatite helps repair enamel and reduce sensitivity. Dentists also use it in fillings and to coat implants, helping them bond better with bone. Its natural presence in the body...
End of the Middle Ages Day: End of the Middle Ages Day is a fascinating celebration that marks a significant shift in history. Celebrated annually, this day remembers the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, an event many see as the close of the Middle Ages and the dawn of the Renaissance. How to Celebrate...
Ascension Day: Ascension Day, a vital Christian holiday, marks Jesus Christ's ascent to heaven. It occurs 40 days after Easter, usually falling on a Thursday in May. This day is not just a commemoration of Jesus completing his earthly mission and ascending to heaven in the presence of his disciples. It's a significant...
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...
Garden Wildlife Week: Garden Wildlife Week, observed in the early summer, is a lively celebration of the natural world found in our gardens. This week encourages people to appreciate and protect the birds, insects, and plants in their backyards. The celebration highlights the vital role these creatures play in keeping our environment healthy! How...