May 30

Scott Winters May 30, 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:

1783 – The first daily newspaper was published in the U.S. by Benjamin Towner. It was called “The Pennsylvania Evening Post”.

1848 – W.G. Young patented the ice cream freezer.

1854 – The U.S. territories of Nebraska and Kansas were established.

1868 – Memorial Day was observed widely for the first time in the United States. It was originally called Decoration Day.

1879 – William Vanderbilt renamed New York City’s Gilmore’s Garden to Madison Square Garden.

1883 – Because of a rumor that the Brooklyn Bridge was in danger of collapsing, twelve people were trampled to death in New York, NY, in a stampede .

1896 – The first automobile accident occurred in New York, NY.

1903 – In Riverdale, NY, the first American motorcycle hill climb was held.

1911 – Ray Harroun won the first Indianapolis 500. At the time, it was called the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race. Harroun’s average speed was 74.59 miles per hour.

1922 – The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC.

1958 – Unidentified soldiers killed in World War II and the Korean conflicts were buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

1966 – Surveyor 1 was launched. It would become the first U.S. spacecraft to land on an extraterrestrial body.

1967 – Daredevil Evel Knievel jumped 16 automobiles in a row in a motorcycle stunt at Ascot Speedway in Gardena, CA.

1971 – Blue Ribbon Sport officially became Nike.

1971 – Baseball great Willie Mays scored his 1,950th run.

1971 – Mariner 9, the American deep space probe blasted off on a journey to Mars. It’s mission was to map 70% of the surface and to study temporal changes in the atmosphere and surface of Mars.

1981 – The compact disc was introduced.

1987 – Mike Tyson retained the WBA/WBC heavyweight boxing title with a sixth round TKO over Pinklon Thomas.

1989 – Margaret Ray pleaded guilty to charges of breaking into and entering David Letterman’s Connecticut house. (Ray committed suicide in 1998.)

1996 – John Tesh made his last appearance as host of TV’s “Entertainment Tonight” before launching a full-time career as a musician and radio personality.

1997 – Jesse K. Timmendequas was convicted in Trenton, NJ, of raping and strangling a 7-year-old neighbor, Megan Kanka. The 1994 murder inspired “Megan’s Law,” requiring that communities be notified when sex offenders move in.

2002 – In New York, NY, a ceremony were held to officially mark the end of the clean up from the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

2003 – Pixar released it’s animated film “Finding Nemo” in theaters.

2005 – Chef Gordon Ramsay debuted his chef competition television show “Hell’s Kitchen” on Fox.

2008 – The big screen version of “Sex and the City” opened in theaters, four years after airing it’s TV series finale.

2011 – Space Shuttle Endeavor successfully undocked from the International Space Station and return to earth on it’s final mission.

2012 – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the Portion Cap Rule. The proposed amendment to the city health code would have required that food service establishments limit the size of sugary beverages to 16 ounces. On June 26, 2014, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the New York City Board of Health had exceeded the scope of its regulatory authority.

2020 – The Crew Dragon Demo-2 launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, becoming the first crewed orbital spacecraft to launch from the United States since 2011.

2020 – What started out as a peaceful protest in honor of George Floyd (a black man murdered by the police in Minneapolis, MN) turned into a riot with more about $500,000 worth of damage done in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Most storefront windows were busted out, stores were looted, and cars were burned on the street.

2020 – The Crew Dragon Demo-2 launched from the Kennedy Space Center, becoming the first crewed orbital spacecraft to launch from the United States since 2011 and the first commercial flight to the International Space Station.

2024 – Donald Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in his New York trial, the first time a former President of the United States has been found guilty in a criminal case.

BIRTHDAYS:

Ruta Lee – 90 years old (1935) – Actress (“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, “Witness for the Prosecution”, “Funny Face”)

Keir Dullea – 89 years old (1936) – Actor (2001: A Space Odyssey”, “2010: The Year We Make Contact”, “Bunny Lake Is Missing”, “Black Christmas”)

Lenny Davidson – 81 years old (1944) – Guitarist (The Dave Clark Five)

Stephen Tobolowsky – 74 years old (1951) – Actor (“Groundhog Day”, “Memento”, TV’s “Deadwood”, “Heroes”, “Glee”, “Californication”, “Silicon Valley”)

Topper Headon – 70 years old (1955) – Drummer (The Clash)

Marie Fredriksson – 67 years old (1958) – Singer, pianist (Roxette)

Ted McGinley – 67 years old (1958) – Actor (TV’s “Married… with Children”, “Hope & Faith”, “Happy Days”, “Dynasty”, “The Love Boat”)

Ralph Carter – 64 years old (1961) – Actor (Played Michael Evans on TV’s “Good Times”)

Wynonna Judd – 61 years old (1964) – Country musician (The Judds)

Tom Morello – 61 years old (1964) – Musician (Rage Against The Machine, Prophets of Rage, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band)

Patrick Dahlheimer – 54 years old (1971) – Bass guitarist (Live)

Duncan Jones – 54 years old (1971) – Director (“Source Code”, “Moon”)

CeeLo Green – 50 years old (1975) – Singer, former coach (TV’s “The Voice”)

Blake Bashoff – 44 years old (1981) – Actor (“Spring Awakening”, TV’s “Lost”)

TODAY IS:

National E-Bike Day: Celebrating National E-Bike Day is a rare chance to embrace three ideas that don’t always meld together so seamlessly. Technology. Sustainable living. Fun. National E-Bike Day is the occasion when riders can celebrate the myriad benefits of electric bicycles. Of course, these revolutionary bikes provide riders with an eco-friendly way...
National Creativity Day: Unleash your inner artist and let creativity run wild! From painting to poetry, there's no limit to what you can create. So grab your brushes, pens, or whatever inspires you, and let the magic of imagination take over.
National Mint Julep Day: Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup, add bourbon, and pack with ice. The mint julep is a refreshing cocktail commonly associated with the deep South.
National Water a Flower Day: Pamper your indoor plants and flowers, and tend to your garden or window pots to make sure all your flowers get a drink on Water a Flower Day.
International Day of the Potato: In honor of the International Day of the Potato, let's dive into this celebration about a humble hero with an extraordinary impac! Picture fields of golden potatoes, from the sun-kissed slopes of the Andes to the lush, green farmlands worldwide. The day represents a global shout-out to the mighty spud, highlighting...
National Hole In My Bucket Day: Embark on a whimsical musical journey where playful banter weaves a tale in the timeless charm of a classic tune.
Loomis Day: Mahlon Loomis, a humble dentist, revolutionized the world when he created the “wireless telegram”. Take a moment to consider life without wi-fi, TV, or radio.
National Heat Awareness Day: Considering the climate crisis that is taking place on the planet in recent years, the weather continues to get hotter all throughout the year, especially during the summer months. With more than 2300 heat-related deaths occurring in the United States in 2024 (compared to only 20 in 2014), the threat...
Fakesgiving: Fakesgiving is a holiday with a twist. It’s a made-up Thanksgiving that doesn’t follow any official calendar. Families and friends plan it when their schedules finally match up. People gather around tables filled with food, laughter, and easy conversations. Nobody worries about the “real” date. What matters most is being together...
European Neighbours’ Day: European Neighbours' Day invites people living nearby to connect and build stronger communities. It's a chance to step outside, share a smile, and turn strangers into friends. Across towns and cities, neighbours gather in parks, courtyards, and streets, bringing food, laughter, and stories. The goal is simple: create a sense...
World MS Day: World MS Day brings people together to shine a light on multiple sclerosis (MS). It’s a day for sharing stories, spreading awareness, and standing with those facing this unpredictable condition. MS happens when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves, making it harder for the brain and body to...
Statehood Day in Croatia: Statehood Day in Croatia is a deeply meaningful occasion that celebrates the country's emergence as an independent state. This national holiday reflects the pride of the Croatian people, honoring the establishment of their democratic government after a long and challenging path! How to Celebrate Statehood Day in Croatia Statehood Day in Croatia offers...
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...