May 3

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:

1802 – The city of Washington, DC was incorporated.

1881 – Leonidas G. Woolley received a patent for the first electric locomotive headlight.

1888 – Thomas Edison organized the Edison Phonograph Works.

1921 – West Virginia imposed the first state sales tax.

1927 – Francis E.J. Wilde of Meadowmere Park, NY, patented the electric sign flasher.

1933 – The U.S. Mint was under the direction of a woman for the first time when Nellie Ross took the position.

1937 – Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel “Gone with the Wind”.

1944 – Wartime rationing of most grades of meats ended in the U.S.

1948 – TV’s “The CBS Evening News” debuted as a 15 minute nightly telecast. It has gone on to become the longest running network newscast.

1948 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that covenants prohibiting the sale of real estate to blacks and other minorities were legally unenforceable.

1952 – The Kentucky Derby was televised nationally for the first time on CBS.

1952 – Joseph Fletcher and William Benedict become the first people to land a plane at the North Pole.

1966 – The game “Twister” was featured on the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson.

1967 – Carl Wilson (Beach Boys) went to court on draft evasion charges.

1971 – National Public Radio broadcast for the first time.

1971 – James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King’s assassin, was caught in a jailbreak attempt.

1973 – The 108-story Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) in Chicago, IL was topped out at 1,451 feet as the world’s tallest building at the time.

1978 – Digital Equipment Corp. sent an unsolicited email to every west coast ARPANET address. It was the first SPAM email.

1986 – In NASA’s first post-Challenger launch, an unmanned Delta rocket lost power in its main engine shortly after liftoff. Safety officers destroyed it by remote control.

1986 – Dollywood (Dolly Parton’s theme park) opened in Pigeon Forge, TN.

1988 – The White House acknowledged that first lady Nancy Reagan had used astrological advice to help schedule her husband’s activities.

1991 – The final episode of TV’s “Dallas” airs on CBS television. It lasted 13 seasons in prime time.

1992 – Five days of rioting and looting ended in Los Angeles, CA. The riots, that killed 53 people, began after the acquittal of police officers in the beating of Rodney King.

1999 – Mark Manes, at age 22, was arrested for supplying a gun to Eric Harris and Dylan Kleibold, who later killed 13 people at Columbine High School in Colorado.

1999 – Hasbro released the first collection of toys for the Star Wars movie “Episode I: The Phantom Menace.”

1999 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 11,000 for the first time.

1999 – The southwestern portion of Oklahoma City, OK was destroyed by an F5 tornado that killed 45 people and injured 665. The storm caused $1 billion in damages. This tornado produced the highest wind speed every recorded at 301 +/- 20 miles per hour.

2000 – The sport of geocaching began. The first cache was placed with the coordinates from a GPS posted on Usenet.

2000 – The trial of two Libyans accused of killing 270 people in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 (over Lockerbie) opened.

2001 – Tina Wesson, a 40 year old nurse from Tennessee, became the second “Survivor” grand prize winner, edging out Colby Donaldson for the million dollar prize. Nearly 34 million viewers tune in to the two hour live broadcast.

2002 – The movie Spider-Man, starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, was released in theaters.

2006 – In Alexandria, VA, Al-Quaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui was given a sentence of life in prison for his role in the terrorist attack on the U.S. on September 11, 2001.

2007 – A videotape of a bombed David Hasselhoff sitting on the floor eating a hamburger, shirtless and in jeans, is aired by the TV shows “The Insider”, “Entertainment Tonight” and “Extra”.

2018 – A black bear wandered into a west side neighborhood in Grand Rapids, MI. He had climbed a tree. He was tranquilized by the DNR, and relocated to the wild near Houghton Lake, MI the same day.

2018 – Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan became the NFL’s first $30 million per season player after agreeing to $150 million contract extension.

BIRTHDAYS:

Frankie Valli – 91 a old (1934) – Singer (The Four Seasons)

Christopher Cross – 74 a old (1951) – Singer (“Ride Like the Wind”, “Sailing”, “Arthur’s Theme”)

Bruce Hall – 72 a old (1953) – Bass guitarist (REO Speedwagon)

David Ball – 66 a old (1959) – Musician (Soft Cell, “Tainted Love”)

Bobby Cannavale – 55 a old (1970) – Actor (TV’s “Third Watch”, “100 Centre Street”, “Will & Grace”, “Cold Case”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “Vinyl”)

Christina Hendricks – 50 a old (1975) – Actress (TV’s “Mad Men”)

Dulé Hill – 50 a old (1975) – Actor (TV’s “The West Wing”, “Psych”)

Farrah Franklin – 44 a old (1981) – Singer (Destiny’s Child)

Cheryl Burke – 41 a old (1984) – Dancer (TV’s “Dancing with the Stars”)

Mary Lambert – 36 a old (1989) – Singer, songwriter

TODAY IS:

• Wordsmith Day: Wordsmith Day honors the magic and impact of well-crafted words​! This special day recognizes those who masterfully manipulate language—authors, poets, editors, and other writers—celebrating their ability to weave words into compelling stories and impactful messages​. How to Celebrate Wordsmith Day The celebration acknowledges the profound impact that writers can have on our thoughts...
• National Paranormal Day: Put on your favorite paranormal flick or show, listen to a paranormal podcast, or read stories of real-life paranormal activity—but maybe leave the lights on.
• National Lemonade Day: Warm weather means lots of good things—but it also means more thirst! Quench it with one of the world’s most refreshing drinks, the ever-popular lemonade.
• International Wild Koala Day: International Wild Koala Day shines a light on koalas' plight and the critical need to preserve their habitats. This awareness campaign emphasizes the unique place koalas hold in Australia's wildlife. The day inspires everyone, from individuals to organizations, to engage in conservation efforts. How to Celebrate International Wild Koala Day Support Koala Conservation...
• World Laughter Day: It boosts your mood, and even lengthens your life. Watch your favorite comedy, read a funny book, or gather some friends to tell jokes and get your diaphragm working.
• Sun Day: Embracing warmth and radiance, basking in the vibrant glow that uplifts spirits and infuses joy into everyday moments.
• AAPI Women’s Equal Pay Day: AAPI Women's Equal Pay Day is an important day that sheds light on the wage disparities faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women. On this day, we highlight that these women, on average, earn only 80 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. This gap becomes...
• Write a Review Day: Be a hero to businesses and shoppers alike! Sharing your thoughts and experiences can guide others to the best products and services.
• National Garden Meditation Day: Meditation and nature can both boost your mood, improve your focus and memory, and calm your emotions, so join them together by practicing meditation in a garden.
• Mayday for Mutts: Mayday for Mutts shines a light on mixed-breed dogs. It is celebrated each first Sunday of May. This special day aims to increase awareness and encourage the adoption of these lovable canines from shelters, where they wait for a forever home. Mixed breeds, often healthier and living longer than purebreds...
• National Two Different Colored Shoes Day: Walk your own walk and show your individuality by wearing two different colored shoes, an exercise to get you to reject limiting social norms and enjoying life.
• National Chocolate Custard Day: Indulge in this rich and decadent dessert made with velvety smooth chocolate and a creamy texture that will leave you wanting more.
• National Textiles Day: Weaving threads into art, intricate patterns tell stories of craftsmanship, connecting heritage and innovation seamlessly.
• National Pipe Organ Day: Embracing the grandeur of an instrument that breathes life into vast spaces, echoing intricate melodies with majestic resonance.
• National Public Radio Day: Tuning the dial to a familiar voice can feel like catching up with an old friend. That’s the magic of National Public Radio Day. It celebrates the stations that bring people news, ideas, and stories without asking for anything in return. Listeners often trust these voices to explain the world...
• National Montana Day: National Montana Day is all about celebrating the beauty and spirit of Big Sky Country. Towering mountains stretch across the land, rolling prairies seem to go on forever, and clear rivers carve their way through it all. This wild, open space calls to adventurers, dreamers, and anyone who feels at...
• National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day: Imagine waking up and feeling like your heart is racing, your thoughts are spiraling, and even simple tasks seem overwhelming. For many, this is a daily reality. National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day shines a light on these experiences, offering a moment to pause and consider mental well-being. It's a day...
• International Permaculture Day: Imagine a garden that thrives without constant upkeep, where every plant supports the next. That's the essence of permaculture—a way of designing spaces that work with nature, not against it. It blends smart planning with natural patterns to create systems that feed people, enrich soil, and save water. Permaculture isn't...
• Motorcycle Mass and Blessing of the Bikes Day: The Motorcycle Mass and Blessing of the Bikes Day is a special moment for riders. They come together not just for the thrill of engines, but to pause, connect, and reflect. Churches or open lots fill with chrome, leather, and quiet excitement. A priest or pastor steps forward, not to preach...
• National Infertility Survival Day: Not everyone’s path to parenthood is easy. National Infertility Survival Day honors those who face that reality with quiet strength. It brings attention to the emotional weight many carry in silence, creating space for truth and connection. While most holidays celebrate births and babies, this one focuses on the journey...
• National Specially-abled Pets Day: National Specially-Abled Pets Day shines a light on animals with disabilities who refuse to let challenges slow them down. Some may be blind, deaf, or missing a limb, yet they still run, play, and love just as deeply. This day celebrates their strength and the joy they bring to the...
• National Raspberry Popover Day: National Raspberry Popover Day is all about the joy of warm, golden pastries bursting with sweet, juicy raspberries. Fresh from the oven, these delicate treats puff up like little clouds, their crisp edges giving way to a soft, airy center. Each bite is a perfect mix of tart berries and...
• National SAN Architect Day: National SAN Architect Day celebrates the unsung heroes who manage our data storage systems. These professionals, known as Storage Area Network (SAN) architects, ensure the smooth operation of data systems. They work behind the scenes, maintaining data integrity and security. Their role is crucial for both large corporations and small...
• National Lumpy Rug Day: Take stock of your home décor and see if you can’t smooth out the lumps in your rugs. Or, try taking them to an expert or updating your home with new ones.
• World Press Freedom Day : World Press Freedom Day casts a spotlight on the daunting challenges journalists face worldwide. It underscores the pressing need for free journalism as a cornerstone of democracy. Journalists often navigate threats, suppression, and physical harm to report the truth. This day emphasizes the essential nature of their work in shedding light...
• National Pet Week: National Pet Week is a celebration of the special connection we share with our pets. It's a time to honor the animals that fill our lives with joy, whether they're loyal dogs, playful cats, or even fish or birds. Throughout this week, pet owners are encouraged to consider ways to...
• Public Service Recognition Week: Public Service Recognition Week celebrates the dedicated work of public servants across the United States. These individuals include federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees. They play vital roles in our daily lives, from delivering mail and teaching children to ensuring public safety and managing resources. This week is...
• National Tourism Week: Embark on journeys that unfold stories, connecting cultures, creating memories, and weaving the tapestry of global exploration.
• National Physical Education and Sport Week: National Physical Education and Sport Week kicks off a lively month dedicated to fitness and sports. It's a period that highlights the crucial roles health and physical education play in developing lifelong healthy habits! How to Celebrate National Physical Education and Sport Week Celebrating National Physical Education and Sport Week is...
• National Wildflower Week : The opportunities for enjoying and celebrating National Wildflower Week are probably as vast and fascinating as the number of wildflower species there are in the world. And since there are at least 20,000 species of wildflowers in the US alone, that’s definitely a lot to celebrate! How to Celebrate National...
• National Correctional Officer’s Week: National Correctional Officer's Week is a dedicated time to recognize the essential work correctional officers do every day. These officers play a critical role in maintaining safety and order in our nation's prisons and jails. Their work often goes unnoticed by the public, but it is vital for the security...
• Drinking Water Week: Water is an essential resource that supports every aspect of our lives. Drinking Water Week highlights its importance, emphasizing how clean water is vital for health and community growth. This celebration educates the public on how water reaches our taps and the rigorous processes ensuring its safety. Communities celebrate this week...
• 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...

Powered by Days Of The Year

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.