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:
1779 – The College of Pennsylvania became the University of Pennsylvania. It was the first legally recognized university in America.
1845 – Grand Rapids’ first bridge over the Grand River at Bridge Street was completed.
1889 – Curtis P. Brady was issued the first permit to drive an automobile through Central Park in New York, NY.
1924 – In New York, NY, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held.
1934 – Bank robber George “Baby Face” Nelson was killed by FBI agents near Barrington, IL.
1945 – CARE (then known as the Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe) was founded to send CARE Packages of food relief to Europe after World War II.
1973 – The U.S. Senate voted 92-3 to confirm Gerald R. Ford as Vice President after the resignation of Spiro T. Agnew. On December 6th the House would confirm him 387-35.
1980 – The TV show “Bosom Buddies”, starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari, premiered on ABC.
1996 – Disney’s live action movie “101 Dalmatians”, starring Glenn Close, debuted in theaters.
2002 – President Bush appointed former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to lead an independent inquiry into causes of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
2005 – The first partial human face transplant was completed in Amiens, France.
2008 – The ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) was taken out of service after more than 30 years. The ship was launched on September 20, 1967.
2009 – A 911 call from a neighbor of Tiger Woods, in Orlando, FL, reporting that the golfer had crashed his SUV outside his home unleashed a huge scandal over his infidelity that led to a divorce, the termination of millions of dollars of endorsement deals and a major blow to his previously squeaky-clean image.
2013 – Disney released it’s animated film “Frozen”.
BIRTHDAYS:
Gordon S. Wood – 92 years old (1933) – Historian and academic
Gilbert Strang – 91 years old (1934) – Mathematician and academic
Dave Giusti – 86 years old (1939) – Baseball player and manager
Marilyn Hacker – 83 years old (1942) – Poet and critic
Randy Brecker – 80 years old (1945) – Trumpeter and flugelhornist
Richard Codey – 79 years old (1946) – Politician, 53rd Governor of New Jersey
Neil Rosenshein – 78 years old (1947) – Tenor and actor
Jim Price – 76 years old (1949) – Basketball player and coach
Kathryn Bigelow – 74 years old (1951) – Director, producer, and screenwriter
Jim Wetherbee – 73 years old (1952) – Captain, engineer, and astronaut
Curtis Armstrong – 72 years old (1953) – Actor, singer, and producer
Steve Bannon – 72 years old (1953) – Media executive and political figure
Bill Nye – 70 years old (1955) – Engineer, educator, and television host
William Fichtner – 69 years old (1956) – Actor
Caroline Kennedy – 68 years old (1957) – Lawyer and diplomat, 27th United States Ambassador to Australia , daughter of President John F. Kennedy
Callie Khouri – 68 years old (1957) – Director, producer, and screenwriter
Michael A. Stackpole – 68 years old (1957) – Game designer and author
Mike Scioscia – 67 years old (1958) – Baseball player and manager
Kevin Henkes – 65 years old (1960) – Author and illustrator
Ken O'Brien – 65 years old (1960) – Football player and coach
Tim Pawlenty – 65 years old (1960) – Lawyer and politician, 39th Governor of Minnesota
Michael Rispoli – 65 years old (1960) – Actor
Maria Schneider – 65 years old (1960) – Composer and musician
Steve Oedekerk – 64 years old (1961) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
Charlie Benante – 63 years old (1962) – Drummer and songwriter
Mike Bordin – 63 years old (1962) – Drummer
Fisher Stevens – 62 years old (1963) – Actor, director, and producer
Robin Givens – 61 years old (1964) – Actress
Danielle Ammaccapane – 60 years old (1965) – Golfer
Andy Merrill – 59 years old (1966) – Television writer, producer and voice actor
Michael Vartan – 57 years old (1968) – French-American actor
Myles Kennedy – 56 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter
Elizabeth Marvel – 56 years old (1969) – Actress
Kelly Loeffler – 55 years old (1970) – Politician and businesswoman
Kirk Acevedo – 54 years old (1971) – Actor
Iván Rodríguez – 54 years old (1971) – Puerto Rican-American baseball player
Nick Van Exel – 54 years old (1971) – Basketball player and coach
Shane Salerno – 53 years old (1972) – Screenwriter and producer
Samantha Harris – 52 years old (1973) – Model and television host
Evan Karagias – 52 years old (1973) – Wrestler and actor
Jon Runyan – 52 years old (1973) – Football player and politician
Twista – 52 years old (1973) – Rapper and producer
Martín Gramática – 50 years old (1975) – Argentine-American football player
Jean Grae – 49 years old (1976) – South African-American rapper and producer
Jaleel White – 49 years old (1976) – Actor and screenwriter
Willie Bloomquist – 48 years old (1977) – Baseball player
Andy Panko – 48 years old (1977) – Basketball player
Jimmy Rollins – 47 years old (1978) – Baseball player
Ricky Carmichael – 46 years old (1979) – Motocross racer
Hilary Hahn – 46 years old (1979) – Violinist
Brendan Haywood – 46 years old (1979) – Basketball player
Jackie Greene – 45 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Donta Smith – 42 years old (1983) – American-Venezuelan basketball player
Leslie Dewan – 41 years old (1984) – Entrepreneur
Domata Peko – 41 years old (1984) – Football player
Steven Silva – 39 years old (1986) – American-Filipino footballer
Michael Floyd – 36 years old (1989) – Football player
Bradley Zimmer – 33 years old (1992) – Baseball player
Aubrey Peeples – 32 years old (1993) – Actress and singer
Zoe Colletti – 24 years old (2001) – Actress
TODAY IS:
- Turtle Adoption Day: Take a hint from the life of a turtle and slow down a bit on this day! Turtles are delightful creatures, many of whom live for many decades. But, sadly, some turtles are not treated very well and are in need of help from some compassionate human beings on Turtle...
- Lancashire Day: Lancashire Day is a lively celebration that brings together people who share a deep love for the historic county of Lancashire. The day is marked with pride, and residents come together to honor their unique identity. Town criers across the region read out the official Lancashire Day Proclamation, adding a...
- National Bavarian Cream Pie Day: Delightfully creamy dessert with a luscious filling embraced by a flaky, golden crust - a sweet slice of heaven in every bite.
- Turkey Free Thanksgiving: Depart from tradition by switching to a Thanksgiving meal that is kinder to the animals, to the planet, and to your health.
- Pins And Needles Day: A stage show where ordinary folks sing about life's ups and downs while sewing — a slice of real life with a musical twist.
- National Craft Jerky Day: Cut your favorite meat into thin strips, marinate with different flavors such as maple syrup or soy sauce and dry it out for the perfect homemade jerky.
- What Do You Love About America Day: What Do You Love About America Day is a chance to slow down and think about what makes this country feel like home. It’s not about flags or fireworks—it’s about what lives in people’s hearts. Maybe it’s your favorite diner down the street, or the freedom to chase a dream...
- Unthanksgiving Day: Unthanksgiving Day, also called the Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Gathering, unfolds each year on Alcatraz Island. As the first light breaks, people gather to honor Native cultures and their continued presence. Drumming, dancing, and prayers fill the air, creating a powerful moment of unity and remembrance. This gathering began in 1975, marking...
- National Day of Mourning: Let's not forget the sacrifices of the Native ancestors who paved the way for their traditions and heritage to thrive.
- Thanksgiving: Turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie! A time to be around the ones you love, give thanks, and celebrate the blessings in our lives.
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a vibrant and much-loved tradition that lights up New York City every year on the fourth Thursday of November. This event coincides with Thanksgiving Day, a time when families across the United States gather to celebrate and give thanks. Since its inception in 1924...
- National Book Week: Have you ever thought about how books can take you anywhere without leaving your seat? National Book Week is a time to celebrate that magic. Did you know the longest novel ever written has over 1.2 million words? That’s about 2,000 pages of pure storytelling! Whether you’re picking up an...
- National Deal Week: Discovering hidden gems and cost-effective finds while exploring retail options, turning every purchase into a rewarding adventure.
- National Game & Puzzle Week: A realm of strategic tabletop pastimes, these engaging diversions offer a gateway to shared amusement and intellectual challenges.
- Better Conversations Week: For some folks, it seems like every year of getting together for the holidays is the same. Family members are gathered around the television to watch the parade or football game, others are in the kitchen peeling potatoes and baking pies. But what happens relationally between these family members and...
- Blue Christmas: While most people are at home opening presents, emergency workers are on duty, ensuring the safety of their communities over the holidays.
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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.

