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:
1888 – Thomas Edison applied for a patent for the Optical Phonograph (the first movie).
1888 – The first issue of “National Geographic Magazine” went on sale.
1919 – The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was incorporated.
1931 – Al Capone was convicted on income tax evasion and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was released from jail in 1939.
1933 – “News-Week” appeared for the first time at newsstands. The name was later changed to “Newsweek”.
1956 – The movie “Around the World in 80 Days” premiered in theaters.
1956 – Donald Byrne and Bobby Fischer played their famous chess gamed referred to as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer beat Byrne and won a Brillancy prize.
1957 – Lake Michigan was accidentally crossed by two Milwaukee men in a hot air balloon. The balloon (the actual one used in the movie “Around the World in 80 Days”) was being used in a shopping center promotion and eventually ended up in a wild seven hour ride that ended in a Benton Harbor tree.
1966 – The TV game show “Hollywood Squares” premiered on NBC. The show was originally hosted by Peter Marshall, and had two contestants competing in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes..
1966 – NBC started offering all of their news content in color.
1978 – President Jimmy Carter signed a bill that restored full U.S. citizenship rights to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
1979 – The Department of Education Organization Act was signed into law creating the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
1979 – Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize for peace.
1987 – First Lady Nancy Reagan underwent a modified radical mastectomy at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
1989 – The Loma Prieta earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale, hit the San Francisco Bay area in California. The quake caused 63 deaths, 3,757 injuries, and up to $7 billion in damages.
2000 – Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum opened to the public in New York, NY. The 42nd Street location joined Tussaud’s other exhibitions already in operation in London, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Las Vegas, NV.
2001 – The U.S. Capitol and the House Office Building were closed for inspection following the discovery of anthrax in a Senate office building.
2003 – In Taipei, Taipei 101, a 101-floor skyscraper, became the world’s tallest highrise.
2003 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Memantine to help people with Alzheimer’s symptoms.
2007 – The TV show “Storm Chasers” premiered on the Discovery Channel.
2008 – The TV show that searched out paranormal activity, “Ghost Adventures”, premiered on the Travel Channel.
BIRTHDAYS:
Hiroo Kanamori – 89 years old (1936) – Japanese-American seismologist and academic
Stephen Kovacevich – 85 years old (1940) – Pianist and conductor
Paul Ellison – 84 years old (1941) – Musician
Gary Puckett – 83 years old (1942) – Pop singer-songwriter and guitarist
Bob Seagren – 79 years old (1946) – Pole vaulter
Gene Green – 78 years old (1947) – Lawyer and politician
Michael McKean – 78 years old (1947) – Singer-songwriter, actor, and director
Robert Post – 78 years old (1947) – Educator and academic
Bill Hudson – 76 years old (1949) – Musician and actor
Shari Ulrich – 74 years old (1951) – American-Canadian singer-songwriter and violinist
Joseph Bowie – 72 years old (1953) – Trombonist and bandleader
Carlos Buhler – 71 years old (1954) – Mountaineer
Mike Bratz – 70 years old (1955) – Basketball player
Fran Cosmo – 69 years old (1956) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Mae Jemison – 69 years old (1956) – Physician, academic, and astronaut
Pat McCrory – 69 years old (1956) – Businessman and politician, 74th Governor of North Carolina
Ken Morrow – 69 years old (1956) – Ice hockey player and executive
Stephen Palumbi – 69 years old (1956) – Academic and author
Lawrence Bender – 68 years old (1957) – Actor and producer
Vincent Van Patten – 68 years old (1957) – Tennis player and actor
Howard Alden – 67 years old (1958) – Guitarist
Alan Jackson – 67 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter
Ron Drummond – 66 years old (1959) – Author and scholar
Richard Roeper – 66 years old (1959) – Journalist and critic
Rob Marshall – 65 years old (1960) – Director, producer, and choreographer
Philippe Sands – 65 years old (1960) – Lawyer and academic
David Means – 64 years old (1961) – Short story writer
Glenn Braggs – 63 years old (1962) – Baseball player
Jay Humphries – 63 years old (1962) – Basketball player
Mike Judge – 63 years old (1962) – Animator, director, screenwriter, producer and actor
Danny Ferry – 59 years old (1966) – Basketball player and manager
Tommy Kendall – 59 years old (1966) – Race car driver and sportscaster
Wood Harris – 56 years old (1969) – Actor
Wyclef Jean – 56 years old (1969) – Haitian-American rapper, producer, and actor
John Mabry – 55 years old (1970) – Baseball player, coach, and sportscaster
Chris Kirkpatrick – 54 years old (1971) – Singer-songwriter and dancer
Martin Heinrich – 54 years old (1971) – Politician
Blues Saraceno – 54 years old (1971) – Guitarist, songwriter, and producer
Eminem – 53 years old (1972) – Rapper, producer, and actor
Sharon Leal – 53 years old (1972) – Actress
Ariel Levy – 51 years old (1974) – Journalist and author
John Rocker – 51 years old (1974) – Baseball player
Francis Bouillon – 50 years old (1975) – American-Canadian ice hockey player
Seth Etherton – 49 years old (1976) – Baseball player
Alimi Ballard – 48 years old (1977) – Actor and producer
Bryan Bertino – 48 years old (1977) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Ryan McGinley – 48 years old (1977) – Photographer
Angel Parker – 45 years old (1980) – Actress
Justin Shenkarow – 45 years old (1980) – Actor
Holly Holm – 44 years old (1981) – Mixed martial artist
Ben Rothwell – 44 years old (1981) – Mixed-martial artist
Mitch Talbot – 42 years old (1983) – Baseball player
Chris Lowell – 41 years old (1984) – Actor
Randall Munroe – 41 years old (1984) – Author and illustrator
Luke Rockhold – 41 years old (1984) – Mixed martial artist
Jacob Artist – 33 years old (1992) – Actor, singer, and dancer
Anthony Gill – 33 years old (1992) – Basketball player
Jamal Adams – 30 years old (1995) – Football player
Robert Williams III – 28 years old (1997) – Basketball player
Matthew Knies – 23 years old (2002) – Professional ice hockey player
TODAY IS:
- National Pasta Day: No matter where it started or how it became so popular, pasta is a simple and versatile dish that is absolutely worth celebrating.
- Black Poetry Day: Black Poetry Day encourages participants to set aside time to read, enjoy and appreciate the lyrical, powerful and poignant words of Black poets. History of Black Poetry Day On October 17, 1761, Jupiter Hammon, (poet, writer and preacher) became the first black published author in the United States, paving the...
- National Mulligan Day: Inspired by golf's do-over stroke, celebrate Mulligan Day with second chances, or simply enjoy a relaxed round of golf.
- National Mammography Day: As part of the larger observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this event is specifically set aside to act as a reminder for women age 40, or those who have certain risk factors, to talk to their doctors about scheduling a mammogram. Because most incidences of breast cancer happen as women...
- Women in Military Service for America Memorial Anniversary: The Women in Military Service for America Memorial Anniversary celebrates the brave women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Located near Arlington National Cemetery, this memorial is the only major national tribute to women in the military. The anniversary is a reminder of their dedication, courage, and the...
- Spreadsheet Day: Balance your budget, prepare lists, and organize every corner of your life simply by using spreadsheets, a tool used by individuals and large companies alike.
- National Edge Day: Enjoy punk, metal, hardcore, and more styles of music in a way that encourages living a clean lifestyle – because it’s time for National Edge Day! How to Celebrate National Edge Day Get involved in this important movement of music that speaks of better living with some of these ideas for celebrating...
- Child Poverty Day: Child Poverty Day, celebrated on October 17, highlights the urgent need to address child poverty around the globe. This day calls attention to the millions of children who lack necessities such as adequate healthcare, education, and clean water. It’s a day that brings people from various backgrounds together, urging them...
- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Poverty affects people all around the globe, including where you live. Find an event or organization to join the fight, donate, volunteer, and raise awareness.
- National Playing Card Collection Day: Share photos of your playing card collection online, get a game going with friends, or start your very own collection of portable, mutli-use mini-works of art.
- National Pay Back a Friend Day: National Pay Back a Friend Day, observed on October 17, is more than just a reminder to settle debts. It's a day dedicated to strengthening bonds and expressing gratitude towards those who've helped us out financially. Celebrated across the United States, this day encourages everyone to show appreciation for their...
- Forgive an Ex Day: Forgiveness is hard, but it’s also healing. On Forgive an Ex Day, get in touch with someone who hurt you, or just let go of any resentment you still have.
- Wear Something Gaudy Day: Get garish and be brilliant in your gaudiest, poorest taste in fashion. Clashing colors, appalling patterns, and abominable accessories will draw all eyes to you.
- World Trauma Day: World Trauma Day brings attention to something many people try to hide—pain that comes after a shocking or harmful event. It could be the result of an accident, a fall, or a violent act. The effects often go beyond what anyone can see. A person might look fine but feel...
- International Sawfish Day: Sawfish are some of the ocean’s most unusual residents, with long snouts lined like a saw. International Sawfish Day highlights these striking creatures and reminds us how important they are to healthy seas. It’s not just an event for scientists—it’s a call for everyone to notice, learn, and care. By bringing...
- National School Lunch Week: Fueling minds, nourishing potential—school lunches aren't just meals; they're key ingredients for young aspirations to thrive.
- National Baking Week: Creating delightful treats combines creativity, skill, and tradition, bringing joy and delicious aromas to any home.
- 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...
- Anti-Poverty Week: Poverty in the 21st century should not exist, yet millions still struggle daily. During Anti-Poverty Week people unite to raise awareness and seek solutions to end poverty. Communities come together to highlight the struggles faced by many and to work towards creating solutions. It's a time when the spotlight is...
- Recycle Awareness Week: Recycle Awareness Week is an exciting time when everyone is encouraged to think more about recycling. This annual event shines a spotlight on how recycling helps the environment and reduces waste. During this week, communities and organizations join forces to promote better recycling habits and educate people on how to...
- Drink Local Wine Week: Drink Local Wine Week gives small wineries a chance to be noticed. It’s when bloggers and wine writers focus on bottles made nearby. Instead of just talking about famous spots like Napa or Willamette, this week shifts attention to local vineyards. People get to read about wines made just down the...
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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.
