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:
1858 – John Landis Mason received a patent for the Mason jar.
1875 – A.J. Ehrichson patented his oat-crushing machine.
1897 – Thomas Edison’s motion picture projector had its first commercial exhibition.
1940 – Lucille Ball and Cuban musician Desi Arnaz were married in Greenwich, CT.
1954 – In Sylacauga, AL, Elizabeth Hodges was injured when a meteorite crashed through the roof of her house while she was taking an afternoon nap. The rock weighed 8-1/2 pounds. This is the only documented case of a human being being hit by a rock from space.
1956 – CBS replayed the program “Douglas Edward and the News” three hours after it was received on the West Coast. It was the world’s first broadcast via videotape.
1971 – ABC TV aired “Brian’s Song”. The movie was about Chicago Bears’ Brian Picolo and his friendship with Gale Sayers.
1979 – Pink Floyd released “The Wall” album.
1982 – The movie “Gandhi”, starring Ben Kingsley, premiered in New Delhi. The film received eleven nominations at the 55th Academy Awards, winning eight (more than any other film nominated that year), including for the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (for Kingsley).
1982 – Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album was released. Seven singles were released from the album, including “Beat It”, featuring Eddie Van Halen on guitar.
1990 – Steven King’s novel “Misery” premiered on the movie screen.
1993 – The National Football League awarded its 30th franchise to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
1993 – President Bill Clinton signed into law the Brady Bill. The bill required a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases and background checks of prospective buyers.
1995 – Operation Desert Storm officially ended.
1998 – Exxon and Mobil signed a $73.7 billion agreement to merge, creating ExxonMobil, the world’s largest company.
2001 – For the first time in it’s history, McDonald’s teamed up with a retail partner on its Happy Meal promotions. Toys R Us provided plush figures from it’s Animal Alley.
2004 – Longtime “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings of Salt Lake City, UT, finally lost, leaving him with $2,520,700 after his 75th appearance — television’s biggest game show winnings.
2018 – A magnitude 7.0 earthquake, with an epicenter 15 miles from Anchorage, AK, caused significant property damage but no deaths.
2018 – George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, passed away at the age of 94.
2021 – A 15-year-old gunman murdered four students and injured seven people, including a teacher, in a mass shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, MI.
2022 – The AI chatbot ChatGPT was launched by OpenAI.
BIRTHDAYS:
Joan Ganz Cooney – 96 years old (1929) – Screenwriter and producer, co-created Sesame Street
Woody Allen – 90 years old (1935) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
Jimmy Bowen – 88 years old (1937) – Record producer, songwriter, and pop singer
Adeline Yen Mah – 88 years old (1937) – Chinese-American physician and author
Norma Alarcón – 82 years old (1943) – Author and professor
Terrence Malick – 82 years old (1943) – Director, producer, and screenwriter
David Mamet – 78 years old (1947) – Playwright, screenwriter, and director
Jim Chones – 76 years old (1949) – Basketball player
Patricia Ann Tracey – 75 years old (1950) – Naval Vice Admiral
Daniel Petrie – 74 years old (1951) – Jr. , American director, producer, and screenwriter
Semyon Bychkov – 73 years old (1952) – Russian-American conductor
Mandy Patinkin – 73 years old (1952) – Actor and singer
Shuggie Otis – 72 years old (1953) – Singer-songwriter and musician
David Sancious – 72 years old (1953) – Rock and jazz keyboard player and guitarist
Lawrence Summers – 71 years old (1954) – Economist and academic
Michael Beschloss – 70 years old (1955) – Historian and author
Richard Burr – 70 years old (1955) – Businessman, academic, and politician
Margaret Spellings – 68 years old (1957) – Educator and politician, 8th United States Secretary of Education
Stacey Q – 67 years old (1958) – Pop singer-songwriter, dancer and actress
Cherie Currie – 66 years old (1959) – Singer-songwriter, musician, and actress
Bill Halter – 65 years old (1960) – Scholar, activist, and politician, 14th Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas
Bob Tewksbury – 65 years old (1960) – Baseball player and coach
Bo Jackson – 63 years old (1962) – Football and baseball player
Daniel Keys Moran – 63 years old (1962) – Computer programmer and author
Ben Stiller – 60 years old (1965) – Actor, director, producer and screenwriter
David Berkoff – 59 years old (1966) – Swimmer
Chris Weitz – 56 years old (1969) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Walter Emanuel Jones – 55 years old (1970) – Actor and dancer
Natalie Williams – 55 years old (1970) – Basketball player and executive
Ray Durham – 54 years old (1971) – Baseball player
Mark Blount – 50 years old (1975) – Basketball player
Marco Castro – 49 years old (1976) – Peruvian-American director and cinematographer
Steve Aoki – 48 years old (1977) – DJ and producer, founded Dim Mak Records
Clay Aiken – 47 years old (1978) – Singer
Shane Victorino – 45 years old (1980) – Baseball player
Jason Pominville – 43 years old (1982) – Canadian-American ice hockey player
Kaley Cuoco – 40 years old (1985) – Actress
Chrissy Teigen – 40 years old (1985) – Model
Jordan Farmar – 39 years old (1986) – Basketball player
Christel Khalil – 38 years old (1987) – Actress
Naomi – 38 years old (1987) – Wrestler, model, and dancer
Rebecca Rittenhouse – 37 years old (1988) – Actress
Grant Williams – 27 years old (1998) – Basketball player
Jane Paknia – 25 years old (2000) – Musician
TODAY IS:
- National Computer Security Day: From using strong passwords to avoiding phishing scams, take measures to secure your devices and personal information.
- National Mate Day: National Mate Day is a celebration in Argentina that honors the rich cultural significance of the traditional drink, yerba mate. This herbal tea, enjoyed by many in South America, is more than just a beverage; it's a ritual of connection and sharing. The practice of passing around a mate gourd...
- National Mousse Day: With its light, fluffy texture and delectable taste, mousse is the dessert of champions — perfect for any occasion!
- National Stay Home Because You’re Well Day: Take a day off, just because you're feeling well! Sometimes it's good to just recharge and enjoy the simple things in life.
- National Mason Jar Day: Capture the summer with these versatile glass jars that can store anything from pickles to cocktails, adding rustic charm to any occasion.
- International ESG Day: Promoting eco-friendly choices means harmonizing with nature, reducing waste, and protecting the planet for future generations.
- Stomach Cancer Awareness Day: Most people don’t think much about their stomach until something goes wrong. Stomach Cancer Awareness Day brings attention to a disease that often stays hidden until it’s advanced. This cancer starts in the stomach’s inner layer and can grow quietly for years. Symptoms like bloating, nausea, or stomach pain often seem...
- Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare: The Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare honors those harmed by chemical weapons. It serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating effects these weapons have on individuals and communities. This observance underscores the importance of global efforts to eliminate chemical weapons and prevent their future use...
- National Mississippi Day: Step into the heart of the Deep South, and you'll find Mississippi—a state bursting with soul, sound, and stories. It’s a place where music flows through the soil and writers bring local voices to life. Every inch of it carries a rhythm, from the sway of riverboats to the heat...
- Blue Beanie Day: Blue Beanie Day is a worldwide show of support for standards-based, accessible digital spaces. People across roles pull on beanies online and in selfies to signal shared commitment. Avatars turn blue, feeds fill with friendly reminders to code cleanly and structure content so everyone can use it. That playful hat...
- Perpetual Youth Day: Perpetual Youth Day celebrates the lasting spirit of youth and the energy that music brings to our lives. This day honors Dick Clark, a television host who brought rock and roll into American homes through his show, American Bandstand. Clark's charm and enthusiasm made him a favorite among teenagers, and...
- Cities for Life Day: Cities for Life Day is a global event where thousands of cities unite to oppose the death penalty. Organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio, this initiative transforms iconic landmarks into symbols of life. From the Colosseum in Rome to plazas in Madrid and beyond, these illuminated monuments send a clear...
- National Personal Space Day: National Personal Space Day reminds us that everyone has the right to set their own boundaries. It encourages people to respect others' comfort zones, whether emotional or physical. This day supports those who may feel overwhelmed by touch or closeness. It highlights the importance of giving space to individuals who...
- National Meth Awareness Day: National Meth Awareness Day shines a light on the dangers of methamphetamine. This powerful stimulant can quickly take hold of a person's life. It often starts with a single use and spirals into addiction. The drug affects the brain, leading to intense highs followed by severe lows. People may feel...
- Cyber Monday: Snagging incredible online deals that are worth the wait, shopping from the comfort of home and enjoying wallet-friendly splurges.
- St. Andrew’s Day: Celebrated for his kindness and valor, the patron saint of Scotland's legacy lives on through the Scottish flag and the country's traditions.
- Zagreb Advent: Zagreb Advent is a magical celebration that transforms Croatia's capital into a winter wonderland. The streets light up with festive decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Wooden stalls filled with handmade crafts and delicious treats line the squares, and the air is filled with the scent of mulled wine and...
- Advent: Advent marks a period of eager anticipation and preparation for Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Each year, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which can fall anywhere between November 27 and December 3, ending on Christmas Eve, December 24. This timing reminds us that the holiday...
- National Deal Week: Discovering hidden gems and cost-effective finds while exploring retail options, turning every purchase into a rewarding adventure.
- 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.

