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:
1845 – The United States Naval Academy opened in Annapolis, MD.
1846 – Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune, was discovered by English astronomer William Lassell.
1865 – John Wesley Hyatt patented the billiard ball.
1871 – The Great Chicago Fire in Chicago, IL. The fire was started from a barn accident and burned from October 8 to October 10.
1881 – Three Michigan railroads (Michigan Central; Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette; and the Grand Rapids and Indiana) formed a company to operate a railroad car ferry service across the Mackinac Straits.
1886 – The tuxedo dinner jacket made its U.S. debut in New York, NY.
1887 – The Edison Phonograph Company was founded by Thomas Edison.
1899 – I.R. Johnson patented the bicycle frame.
1933 – The first synthetic detergent, Dreft, went on sale.
1945 – The Detroit Tigers won their second World Series when they beat Chicago 9-3 in Game 7.
1959 – Pan American World Airways announced the beginning of the first global airline service.
1964 – The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, was broadcast live in the first Olympic telecast relayed by geostationary satellite.
1965 – The Red Baron made his first appearance in the “Peanuts” comic strip.
1968 – Mickey Lolich pitched his third victory as the Detroit Tigers won Game 7 and the World Series over St. Louis.
1973 – Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned after being charged with evasion of federal income tax.
1977 – Joe Namath played the last game of his National Football League career.
1978 – President Jimmy Carter signed the bill authorizing the Susan B. Anthony dollar.
1979 – Fleetwood Mac received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The city of Los Angeles declared it “Fleetwood Mac Day”.
1987 – Tom McClean finished rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in a record time of 54 days and 18 hours.
1993 – Kitchen Stadium opened up when TV’s “Iron Chef” debuted.
1995 – Gary Kasparov won a chess championship against Viswanathan Anand. The game lasted about a month.
2001 – President George W. Bush presented a list of the 22 most wanted terrorists.
2003 – Rush Limbaugh announced that he was addicted to painkillers and that he planned to check into a rehab center.
2013 – The Detroit Tigers advanced to their 3rd straight American League Championship Series.
2018 – Hurricane Michael hit the panhandle of Florida with 155 m.p.h. winds as a Category 5 hurricane. It was the third strongest storm ever to make landfall in the United States. Fifty-seven people died in the storm. The storm caused $25.1 billion in damages.
BIRTHDAYS:
Leroy Hood – 87 years old (1938) – Biologist and academic
Lily Tuck – 87 years old (1938) – Novelist and short story writer
Peter Coyote – 84 years old (1941) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
Frederick Barthelme – 82 years old (1943) – Novelist and short story writer
Ben Vereen – 79 years old (1946) – Actor, singer, and dancer
Cyril Neville – 77 years old (1948) – R&B percussionist and singer
Warren Burt – 76 years old (1949) – American-Australian composer
Jessica Harper – 76 years old (1949) – Actress
Nora Roberts – 75 years old (1950) – Author
Gus Williams – 72 years old (1953) – Basketball player
David Lee Roth – 71 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter and producer
Tanya Tucker – 67 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Julia Sweeney – 66 years old (1959) – Actress, comedian, producer, and screenwriter
Bradley Whitford – 66 years old (1959) – Actor and producer
Eric Martin – 65 years old (1960) – Singer-songwriter
Scott Hoffman – 64 years old (1961) – Drummer
Crystal Waters – 64 years old (1961) – Singer-songwriter, musician and producer
Rebecca Pidgeon – 60 years old (1965) – American-English singer-songwriter and actress
Bai Ling – 59 years old (1966) – Chinese-American model and actress
Derrick McKey – 59 years old (1966) – Basketball player
Michael Giacchino – 58 years old (1967) – Composer
Jonathan Littell – 58 years old (1967) – American-French author and humanitarian
Mike Malinin – 58 years old (1967) – Drummer and producer
Gavin Newsom – 58 years old (1967) – Businessman and politician, 40th and current Governor of California
Joelle Carter – 56 years old (1969) – Actress
Brett Favre – 56 years old (1969) – Football player
Shawn Jamison – 56 years old (1969) – Basketball player and coach
Wendi McLendon-Covey – 56 years old (1969) – Actress
Dean Roland – 53 years old (1972) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Mario Lopez – 52 years old (1973) – Actor, television personality, and producer
Zach Thornton – 52 years old (1973) – Soccer player and coach
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 51 years old (1974) – Race car driver and actor
Plácido Polanco – 50 years old (1975) – Dominican-American baseball player
Bob Burnquist – 49 years old (1976) – Brazilian-American skateboarder
Pat Burrell – 49 years old (1976) – Baseball player
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe – 47 years old (1978) – Model and actress
Mýa – 46 years old (1979) – Singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, and actress
Joel Przybilla – 46 years old (1979) – Basketball player
Casey FitzSimmons – 45 years old (1980) – Football player
Tim Maurer – 45 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter
Tony Khan – 43 years old (1982) – Sports executive
Lzzy Hale – 42 years old (1983) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Ryan Hollins – 41 years old (1984) – Basketball player and commentator
Paul Posluszny – 41 years old (1984) – Football player
Troy Tulowitzki – 41 years old (1984) – Baseball player
Andrew McCutchen – 39 years old (1986) – Baseball player
Ryan Mathews – 38 years old (1987) – Football player
Aimee Teegarden – 36 years old (1989) – Actress and producer
Shelby Miller – 35 years old (1990) – Baseball player
Geno Smith – 35 years old (1990) – Football player
Kolten Wong – 35 years old (1990) – Baseball player
Michael Carter-Williams – 34 years old (1991) – Basketball player
Anthony Brown – 33 years old (1992) – Basketball player
Mike Tobey – 31 years old (1994) – American-Slovenian basketball player
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – 31 years old (1994) – Football player
Courtland Sutton – 30 years old (1995) – Football player
Nate Yarnell – 23 years old (2002) – Football Player
TODAY IS:
- National Cake Decorating Day: Try your hand at cake decorating. From sheet cake to cupcakes, complex frosting flowers to simple sprinkles, there’s something out there for everyone.
- Bookshop Day: Bookshop Day is a special occasion for book lovers everywhere. It celebrates the charm and importance of local bookshops. These places are more than just stores; they are community hubs where people can gather, discover new stories, and connect over shared interests. The day is a reminder of the joy...
- National Handbag Day: From totes to satchels to clutches, treat yourself to a new handbag. With so many options, you’re sure to find something that reflects who you are.
- National Hug a Drummer Day: Honor the backbone of every band by giving a drummer a hug — or take the plunge and learn to drum yourself.
- National Chess Day: Strategy, thinking, creativity and endless possibilities fill the game of chess with fun and interesting opportunities for play!
- Universal Music Day: Music is a natural part of life on this planet and Universal Music Day is here to raise awareness about and celebrate its benefits!
- World Porridge Day: Learn about the health benefits of porridge, eat some yourself, and volunteer to help feed the hungry on this just-right day devoted to this fiber-rich dish.
- World Homeless Day: Help raise awareness about the 100 million+ people worldwide who are homeless, and donate to helping these people.
- I Love Yarn Day: Hop on social media to get involved in I Love Yarn Day, a day for sharing and exploring all sorts of yarn-based crafts, from knitting to crochet and beyond.
- National Motorcycle Ride Day: National Motorcycle Ride Day fires up engines every second Saturday in October. It's a thrilling day when motorcycle enthusiasts across the country hit the road to celebrate the joy and community of biking. This day isn't just about enjoying a ride; it's about connecting with fellow riders and embracing the...
- World Gulab Jamun Day: Mouthwatering spheres, dripping with sweetness—delightful treats that capture the essence of culinary indulgence and celebration.
- World Day Against the Death Penalty: Championing the cause for justice, standing firm against the irreversible, advocating for a fair and humane legal system.
- Seed Gathering Season: Seed Gathering Season bursts into life as autumn sets in. It's a vibrant celebration where communities come together to collect seeds from local trees, flowers, and fruits. This activity fosters a connection with nature, encouraging people to explore their surroundings and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. The season...
- National Costume Swap Day: While Halloween is meant to be spooky, the feeling doesn’t have to transfer over to the cost of buying a costume – or to the millions of tons of clothing that end up in landfills every year! National Costume Swap Day offers a distinct opportunity to celebrate Halloween with a...
- SHIFT10 Day: Shift 10% of your shopping to local sellers on SHIFT10 Day, to support local businesses, farmer’s markets, and other alternatives to big box stores.
- International African Penguin Awareness Day: While many people think of penguins as cold climate inhabitants, such as the ones in Antarctica, these delightful creatures can also be found off the southern coast of Africa in rather temperate climates. International African Penguin Awareness Day is here to bring attention to these rare flightless birds! History of...
- Back Care Awareness Week: Back Care Awareness Week is dedicated to all out there who suffer from the familiar pangs of back pain. Does back pain interfere with your life? This week, you will learn how you are certainly not alone. Back pain is a widespread issue. It’s not only an uncomfortable reality for...
- National Walk to a Park Day: National Walk to a Park Day was established through the initiatives of the Trust for Public Land, a group of concerned citizens who believe that every human being should have access to the outdoors! History of National Walk to a Park Day Fighting for healthy, livable communities, the non-profit organization, Trust for...
- National Angel Food Cake Day: A cake so light and fluffy that “an angel could eat it and still fly without being weighed down”, Angel Food Cake is a delightful and delicious treat to enjoy. National Angel Food Cake Day brings the perfect reason to celebrate this tasty cake boasting a recipe that was likely...
- Love Your Bookshop Day: We all have a bookshop that holds a special place in our hearts. Love Your Bookshop Day celebrates these cherished local havens of literature and community. It is an exciting event that brings book lovers together to celebrate the charm and significance of local bookshops. These stores offer much more...
- Oktoberfest in Blumenau: Oktoberfest in Blumenau is a lively celebration of German culture in Brazil. This annual festival transforms the city into a lively hub of music, dance, and joy. People gather from all over to enjoy traditional Bavarian beer, hearty meals, and cheerful camaraderie. Colorful parades fill the streets, with participants dressed in...
- Holy Translators Day: Holy Translators Day celebrates the incredible contribution of scholars who brought knowledge to their people through translation. This special day highlights those who dedicated their lives to making important works accessible to a wider audience, especially in Armenia. By translating key religious and literary texts, including the Bible, they played...
- Phuket Vegetarian Festival: The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a lively and spiritual event that transforms the island into a vibrant hub of culture and devotion. Each year, the festival draws large crowds to witness a unique celebration that blends tradition, faith, and community spirit. Participants follow a strict vegetarian diet, believing it will...
- International Stage Management Day: Behind every breathtaking stage show, there's someone quietly making sure everything runs like clockwork—that's the stage manager. From the moment rehearsals begin to the final curtain call, these multitasking pros guide the chaos behind the scenes. They cue the lights, prompt the actors, and coordinate the crew. You may never see...
- World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day: World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day starts with a simple truth—roads can be deadly for animals. Every time we drive, we enter a space shared with wildlife. Foxes slip through hedges, deer wander across highways, and even small creatures like frogs or hedgehogs try to cross. They don't know traffic rules...
- International Jumping Spider Day: International Jumping Spider Day is a fun and friendly celebration of one of nature’s tiniest show-stealers. These little spiders aren’t the creepy kind. They’re curious, alert, and surprisingly cute. With their big eyes and jerky, playful movements, they’ve charmed people across the world. On this day, fans post close-up photos, trade...
- National Drive Electric Month: While the gasoline car has certainly been the most popular in automobile history, many people don’t realize that some of the first cars invented ran on electric power! Experimental prototypes of these cars showed up in Europe in the 1830s, and the first viable option may have been in 1890...
- British Food Fortnight: British Food Fortnight is a lively and delicious celebration of the UK's culinary heritage. This two-week event highlights the best of British produce, from fresh vegetables to succulent meats. The celebration spans across restaurants, pubs, and markets, creating a festive atmosphere that encourages everyone to indulge in local flavors. The...
- Inclusion Day: Inclusion Day celebrates the idea that everyone matters. It’s a time when people come together to honour differences—whether in ability, background, or belief. The goal is simple: make sure every person feels seen, heard, and valued. It’s not about grand gestures. Even small acts—like listening without judgment or inviting someone new...
- World Plant-Based Burger Day: World Plant-Based Burger Day celebrates a tasty shift in how we eat. This day shines a spotlight on burgers made entirely from plants—no meat, just wholesome ingredients. These burgers are crafted from foods like beans, grains, and vegetables, offering a delicious alternative to traditional meat patties. Whether you're a long-time vegetarian...
- National Hug a Kevin Day: National Hug a Kevin Day brings a lighthearted twist to the calendar. This quirky celebration encourages people to share a warm embrace with anyone named Kevin. Whether it's a friend, family member, or colleague, the day offers a fun excuse to spread joy and laughter. It's not just about the...
- National Formalwear Day: National Formalwear Day is all about stepping into something a little sharper than usual. It's that moment when you zip up a dress or button your best shirt and instantly feel a bit more special. There’s something fun about trading jeans for a blazer, or sneakers for shiny shoes. This day...
- Hospice Care Week: Providing compassionate support during life's final journey, these compassionate professionals ensure comfort, dignity, and peace for individuals and their families.
- Active Aging Week: This seven-day campaign works to improve society’s messages around the topic of aging, promoting the positive aspects and contributions that older adults can have in communities. Get excited and get on board personally with Active Aging Week or encourage an older adult friend or family member to participate! History of Active...
- Urban Wildlife Conservation Day: People thrive on nature, no matter where they live! And considering that 80% of the US population lives in or near an urban context, it is vital to consider ways to protect and stay connected with wildlife and nature in a local setting. Urban Wildlife Conservation Day encourages everyone to not...
- World Mental Health Day: Focus on improving your own mental health, ending the stigma surrounding it, and supporting others through World Mental Health Day events and fundraisers.
- National Curry Week: Savor vibrant spices and rich blends, an aromatic dance on your palate, igniting a culinary journey of delight.
- Baby Loss Awareness Week: Baby Loss Awareness Week brings light to a tender topic, uniting those touched by the loss of a baby. Celebrated from the 9th to the 15th of October every year, it offers a meaningful time for parents, families, and friends to honor and remember their dearly missed babies. This week serves...
- Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
- World Space Week: Did you know that there's a whole week each year dedicated solely to celebrating the wonders of space? World Space Week, held annually in the autumn, turns eyes skyward to appreciate science and technology's roles in improving our lives through space exploration. How to Celebrate World Space Week Here are some...
- Haemophilia Awareness Week: Haemophilia Awareness Week plays a crucial role in shining a light on bleeding disorders. This week helps educate the public about haemophilia, a genetic condition that affects blood clotting. People with haemophilia bleed longer than usual, which can lead to serious health issues. By raising awareness, the event aims to...
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Join an event, forum, or exhibition for Hispanic Heritage Month, and appreciate the art, history, and cultural offerings of this rich and expansive heritage.
- Mental Illness Awareness Week: Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual event that highlights mental health issues. It takes place during the first week of October and aims to educate and reduce stigma around mental illnesses. This initiative brings together individuals and organizations across the nation, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and...
- National Spinning and Weaving Week: Two different crafts that often go together, spinning and weaving are ancient practices that are still relevant in modern times to producing all sorts of textiles and fabrics. Spinning in the process of spinning raw fibers, like cotton or wool, into threads. Weaving uses the threads or yarn to layer...
- National Midwifery Week: Midwifery is a practice that has been around since ancient times, where an experienced person is called upon to assist and lead when a woman is giving birth. Having evolved over the years, midwives are now extremely skilled and go through rigorous training to give compassionate and competent care to...
- Celebrate Community Week: Fostering collaboration and proactive volunteering, Celebrate Community Week brings people together from all over the globe with a common purpose – to serve their communities and make the world a better, more beautiful place! How to Celebrate Community Week Join a Celebrate Community Week Event Working together to make a positive impact...
- International Cephalopod Awareness Days: International Cephalopod Awareness Days bring attention to some of the ocean’s most surprising animals. These aren’t your average sea creatures. Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and nautiluses all belong to this wild underwater group. They move like dancers, shift colors like mood rings, and squeeze through tiny cracks like soft-bodied escape artists. People...
- Fire Prevention Week: Head over to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) website to learn what you need to do to protect your home and community in case of a fire.
- Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week: These superheroes of the hospital kitchen ensure patients receive delicious, nutritious meals, taking pride in boosting morale and recovery.
- National Dance Week: Dancing is a pastime that has been part of human life and culture for thousands of years. Whether dancing during religious and cultural festivals or simply out of personal joy and delight, people have incorporated dance into life at every turn. National Dance Week aims to bring to public attention the...
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