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:
1718 – The city of New Orleans was founed by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville.
1763 – Indian chief Pontiac began all out war on the British in New York.
1789 – The first U.S. Presidential Inaugural Ball was held in New York, NY.
1800 – The U.S. Congress divided the Northwest Territory into two parts. The western part became the Indiana Territory and the eastern section remained the Northwest Territory.
1847 – The AMA (American Medical Association) was organized in Philadelphia, PA.
1912 – Columbia University approved final plans for awarding the Pulitzer Prize in several categories.
1912 – The first airplane equipped with a machine gun flew over College Park, MD.
1914 – President Woodrow Wilson issues a proclamation making Mother’s Day a national holiday on the second Sunday of May.
1915 – The Lusitania, a civilian ship, was sunk by a German submarine. 1,201 people were killed, including 128 Americans.
1926 – A U.S. report showed that one-third of the nation’s exports were motors.
1945 – Baseball owner Branch Rickey announced the organization of the United States Negro Baseball League. There were 6 teams.
1945 – Germany signed unconditional surrender ending World War II. It took effect the next day.
1946 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corp. was founded. The company was later renamed Sony.
1951 – Russia was admitted to participate in the 1952 Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee.
1968 – Reginald Dwight decided to change his name to Elton John.
1975 – President Gerald Ford declared an end to “The Vietnam era.”
1976 – The Honda Accord was officially launched.
1977 – Rookie Janet Guthrie set the fastest time on opening day of practice for the Indianapolis 500.
1982 – Diana Ross received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1984 – A $180 million out-of-court settlement was announced in the Agent Orange class-action suit brought by Vietnam veterans who claimed they had suffered injury from exposure to the defoliant while serving in the armed forces.
1987 – Shelley Long made her last regular appearance as “Diane Chambers” on TV’s “Cheers”.
1991 – A judge in Macon, GA, dismissed a wrongful death suit against Ozzy Osbourne. A local couple failed to prove their son was inspired to attempt suicide by Ozzy’s music.
1992 – The Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched on its first mission (STS-49).
1992 – Michigan ratified a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise
1994 – The Edvard Munch painting “The Scream” was recovered after being stolen 3 months earlier from an Oslo Museum. This version of “The Scream”, one of four different versions, was painted on paper.
1998 – Daimler-Benz bought Chrysler Corp. for close to $40 billion. It was the largest industrial merger on record.
1998 – Leeza Gibbons received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1999 – A jury found “The Jenny Jones Show” liable in the shooting death of Scott Amedure by a guest he outed on the show. The jury awarded his estate $25 million.
1999 – Jerry Moss received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2003 – In Washington, DC, General Motors Corp. delivered six fuel cell vehicles to Capitol Hill for lawmakers and others to test drive during the next two years.
2004 – The documentary “Super Size Me” was released on this date. We found out what happens when you eat nothing but McDonald’s for a month.
2004 – American businessman Nick Berg was beheaded by Islamic militants. The video of the act was released on the Internet.
2013 – The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 15,056.20. It was the first time it had closed over 15,000.
2020 – During COVID, U.S. unemployment claims hit 33.3 million or 20 percent of the workforce.
BIRTHDAYS:
Robin Strasser – 80 years old (1945) – Actress (TV’s “One Life to Live”)
Bill Danoff – 79 years old (1946) – Musician (Starland Vocal Band)
Bill Kreutzmann – 79 years old (1946) – Drummer (Grateful Dead)
Thelma Houston – 79 years old (1946) – Singer (“Don’t Leave Me This Way”)
Terry Richardson – 72 years old (1953) – Hockey player (Detroit Red Wings 1973-1977)
Amy Heckerling – 71 years old (1954) – Director, writer (“Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, “European Vacation”, “Look Who’s Talking”, “Clueless”)
Michael E. Knight – 66 years old (1959) – Actor (TV’s “All My Children”)
Eagle-Eye Cherry – 57 years old (1968) – Singer
Traci Lords – 57 years old (1968) – Actress (“Cry Baby”, “Serial Mom”)
Breckin Meyer – 51 years old (1974) – Actor (“Herbie: Fully Loaded”, “Garfield: The Movie”, “Rat Race”, “Road Trip”, TV’s “Franklin and Bash”)
TODAY IS:
- National Tourism Day: Discover the beauty of our world! Take a trip, explore new places, and make unforgettable memories. Pack your bags and let's hit the road.
- National Cosmopolitan Day: Mix together vodka, Cointreau orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice, shake in a cocktail shaker, and enjoy one of the most popular drinks, the Cosmo.
- National School Nurse Day: They heal and comfort, make decisions about your child’s health, and more. Thank your child’s school nurse for their kindness, care, and hard work.
- Belarus Day of Radio: Belarus Day of Radio is a celebration dedicated to the people who work in radio, television, and communication fields. It recognizes the essential role these professionals play in connecting communities, sharing news, and providing entertainment. On this day, many radio stations and television channels organize special events and programs to honor...
- Love’s Baby Soft Day: Classic and beautiful, Love’s Baby Soft is a beauty line that has been long beloved by women, so treat yourself to a bath bomb, lotion, or other beauty product.
- National Skilled Trades Day: Professions requiring specialized training and expertise, vital for construction, manufacturing, and maintenance across various industries.
- Global Travel Advisor Day: Discovering the invaluable guidance and insights offered by those who navigate the intricate tapestry of travel with expertise.
- National Roast Leg of Lamb Day: A delicacy in many parts of the world, a roast leg of lamb is surprisingly easy to make at home. Try it with delicious spices and herbs like rosemary and garlic.
- Interpreter Appreciation Day: Facilitating communication across languages, bridging understanding for communities and fostering connections without barriers.
- World Carnivorous Plant Day: Captivating botanical predators, nature's cunning hunters, thriving in diverse ecosystems with unique adaptations for survival and growth.
- Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day: Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day shines a spotlight on the individuals who keep our workplaces safe. These professionals work behind the scenes, ensuring that employees across various industries can perform their jobs without unnecessary risks. They assess potential hazards, implement safety protocols, and provide training to prevent accidents and injuries...
- National Packaging Design Day: Picture yourself in a store, scanning the shelves. Before you even read a label, something catches your eye—a bold color, a sleek design, or a clever shape. That instant attraction is the magic of packaging design. National Packaging Design Day shines a spotlight on the creativity behind the bottles, boxes...
- National Barrier Awareness Day: This occasion brings forward an opportunity to pay attention to and work to tear down the barriers that many people with disabilities face every day! Whether the barriers are physical ones, like lack of appropriate wheelchair entrances to buildings, or if the barriers are less tangible, like getting passed over...
- Beaufort Scale Day: The Beaufort Scale measures wind strength using simple visual indicators, such as wave shapes or the movement of trees. It runs from 0 (perfect calm) up to 12 (hurricane‑force), making it easy for sailors and coastal observers to talk about wind without gadgets. Folks still rely on it today to get...
- Bladder Cancer Awareness Day: Bladder Cancer Awareness Day reminds us why paying attention to our health really matters. It’s easy to miss the warning signs of this disease because they often seem small at first. Many people have never even heard much about bladder cancer, even though it touches thousands of lives every year. That’s...
- ACES Day: ACES Day, short for All Children Exercising Simultaneously, celebrates the joy of movement and the power of community spirit. Kids stretch, jump, and run alongside their classmates, feeling the buzz of shared energy and pride. This inspiring event brings schools, families, and local leaders together, proving that exercise can be...
- International Paste-Up Day: International Paste-Up Day celebrates the art of assembling printed materials by hand. Before digital tools, paste-up artists meticulously cut and arranged text and images on boards, creating layouts for newspapers and magazines. This intricate process required precision and creativity, ensuring each element fit perfectly on the page. Their work laid...
- Great American Grump Out: The Great American Grump Out invites everyone to set aside complaints and embrace joy. It's a day to pause, breathe, and find humour in everyday moments. Instead of grumbling, people share laughter, tell jokes, and spread smiles. The goal is simple: lighten the mood and lift spirits. Even small gestures, like...
- National Nurse’s Week: Give a big thank-you to the hard-working, often under-paid medical professionals who keep hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes and hospice care running.
- Children’s Book Week : Spark the joy of exploration in young minds through tales that open doors to realms of endless fascination and growth.
- National Lawyer Well-Being Week: Lawyers have high-stress jobs, and yet are often the punchline of jokes. Join the Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being to see how you can support these crucial workers.
- Teacher Appreciation Week : The unsung champions shaping tomorrow, deserve our gratitude for guiding and inspiring young minds on their incredible learning journeys.
- Dog Anxiety Awareness Week: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week spotlights a common but often overlooked issue affecting our canine companions. This special week encourages dog owners to recognize and address the signs of anxiety in their pets, promoting a happier, healthier life for them! How to Celebrate Dog Anxiety Awareness Week Be a Detective for the...
- 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...
- Screen-Free Week: Have you ever tried turning off your screens for a whole week? Imagine a week without your phone, computer, or TV. This is what Screen-Free Week is all about. It happens every year during the first week of May. During this time, people across the globe power down their devices...
- Deaf Awareness Week: Deaf Awareness Week is the one week when society can really make an effort to raise public awareness of the issues that can affect deaf people and their culture. Society and its development are entwined with the growth of deaf communities and deaf education this week. It’s when we can...
- National Tourism Week: Embark on journeys that unfold stories, connecting cultures, creating memories, and weaving the tapestry of global exploration.
- Dying Matters Awareness Week: Dying Matters Awareness Week is a vibrant annual event in the UK. This week encourages open conversations about death, dying, and bereavement. It invites communities to break the silence around these often-taboo subjects to foster a more supportive environment for everyone facing these realities. How to Observe Dying Matters Week Host a...
- 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...
- Air Quality Awareness Week: Without air, life on Earth would cease to exist! Clean air is necessary not only for humans and other animals, but also for plants and entire ecosystems to survive and thrive. When the quality of the air is compromised, it can affect the health of everyone – leading to health...
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