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:
1765 – The Stamp Act Congress met and drew up a declaration of rights and liberties.
1814 – The first documented performance of “The Defence of Fort McHenry” with music took place at the Holliday Street Theatre in Baltimore, MD. The work was later published with the title “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
1839 – Anna Lee Aldred became the first licensed female jockey at the age of 18. She rode horses until she was 80.
1906 – Dr. Lee DeForest gave a demonstration of his radio tube.
1914 – Government owned vehicles were used for the first time to pick up mail in Washington, DC.
1918 – The “Spanish” Flu closed the state of Michigan. Schools, theaters, bowling alleys, pool rooms and churches were all ordered closed due to the influenza epidemic. By Christmas of that year, 266 people had died in Grand Rapids, MI and 6,700 people statewide. The death toll is typically estimated to have been somewhere between 17 million and 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.
1937 – “Woman’s Day” magazine was published for the first time.
1944 – The U.S. Navy announced that black women would be allowed into Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES).
1948 – WLAV-TV changed its call letters to WOOD TV.
1960 – The first fully mechanized post office opened in Providence, RI.
1960 – The United States imposed an embargo on exports to Cuba covering all commodities except medical supplies and certain food products.
1966 – Vincent Price played “Egghead,” the guest villain on TV’s “Batman”.
1973 – President Richard Nixon rejected an Appeals Court decision that he turn over the Watergate tapes.
1977 – The Concorde S.S.T. made its first landing in New York, NY.
1982 – Automaker John Z. DeLorean was arrested and charged with conspiracy to obtain and distribute 55 pounds of cocaine. He was acquitted of the drug charges in August, 1984.
1983 – The Senate approved a bill establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1985 – The first Blockbuster video rental store opened in Dallas, TX with 8,000 VHS and 2,000 BETA tapes. Eventually the chain would have 9,093 stores. As of 2019, there was only one store that is still in operation. That store is located in Bend, Oregon.
1987 – On what was referred to as “Black Monday”, The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 22.6% to 508 points causing widespread panic.
1989 – The Senate rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that barred the desecration of the U.S. flag.
1990 – The movie “Dances With Wolves”, starring Kevin Costner, premiered in theaters.
1994 – The low budget, independent movie “Clerks” debuted in theaters.
1997 – On stage at the Grand Ole Opry, Vince Gill honored John Denver. Gill played “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
1998 – In Washington, DC, the U.S. Government opened its antitrust case against Microsoft.
1998 – A class action suit filed by smokers against five cigarette manufacturers went to trial in Miami, FL, seeking $200 billion.
1998 – Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson got his license back after having it rescinded for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear.
2003 – Mother Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
2003 – In London, magician David Blaine emerged from a clear plastic box that had been suspended by a crane over the banks of the Thames River. Blaine had entered the box on September 5. He survived only on water for 44 days.
2004 – The television show “The Biggest Loser” debuted on NBC.
2004 – ABC announced it would drop the Miss America beauty pageant. It was later picked up by CMT.
2005 – Saddam Hussein went on trial in Baghdad for crimes against humanity.
2005 – Hurricane Wilma became the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record with a minimum pressure of 882 mb.
2006 – The Dow Jones industrial average ended the day at 12,011.73. It was the first close above 12,000.
2009 – The international version of Amazon’s Kindle 2 was released.
2012 – Big Tex, the 52 foot statue and cultural icon in Dallas, was destroyed by fire during the final weekend of the 2012 State Fair of Texas.
BIRTHDAYS:
Ed Emberley – 94 years old (1931) – Author and illustrator
Peter Max – 88 years old (1937) – German-American illustrator
L. E. Modesitt – 82 years old (1943) – Jr. , American author and poet
George McCrae – 81 years old (1944) – Singer
Bill Melchionni – 81 years old (1944) – Basketball player
Angus Deaton – 80 years old (1945) – Scottish-American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
Patricia Ireland – 80 years old (1945) – Lawyer and activist
Gloria Jones – 80 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter
John Lithgow – 80 years old (1945) – Actor
Jeannie C. Riley – 80 years old (1945) – Singer
James Howard Kunstler – 77 years old (1948) – Author and critic
Patrick Simmons – 77 years old (1948) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Lynn Dickey – 76 years old (1949) – Football player and radio host
Annie Golden – 74 years old (1951) – Actress and singer
Kurt Schrader – 74 years old (1951) – Veterinarian and politician
Lionel Hollins – 72 years old (1953) – Basketball player and coach
Deborah Blum – 71 years old (1954) – Journalist and author
Dan Gutman – 70 years old (1955) – Author
Steve Doocy – 69 years old (1956) – Journalist and author
Grover Norquist – 69 years old (1956) – Activist, founded Americans for Tax Reform
Bruce Weber – 69 years old (1956) – Basketball player and coach
Dorinda Clark-Cole – 68 years old (1957) – Singer-songwriter and pianist
Ray Richmond – 68 years old (1957) – Journalist and critic
Michael Steele – 67 years old (1958) – Journalist and politician, 7th Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
Jennifer Holliday – 65 years old (1960) – Actress and singer
Susan Straight – 65 years old (1960) – Author and academic
Ayuo Takahashi – 65 years old (1960) – Japanese-American singer-songwriter
Tracy Chevalier – 63 years old (1962) – American-English author
Brian Henninger – 63 years old (1962) – Golfer
Evander Holyfield – 63 years old (1962) – Boxer and actor
Sinitta – 62 years old (1963) – American-British singer
Ty Pennington – 61 years old (1964) – Model, carpenter and television host
Brad Daugherty – 60 years old (1965) – Basketball player and sportscaster
Todd Park Mohr – 60 years old (1965) – Rock singer-songwriter and musician
Jon Favreau – 59 years old (1966) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
David Vann – 59 years old (1966) – Novelist and short story writer
Amy Carter – 58 years old (1967) – Illustrator and activist
Rodney Carrington – 57 years old (1968) – Comedian, actor, and singer
John Edward – 56 years old (1969) – Psychic and author
Trey Parker – 56 years old (1969) – Actor, animator, producer, and screenwriter
Chris Kattan – 55 years old (1970) – Actor, producer, and screenwriter
Keith Foulke – 53 years old (1972) – Baseball player
Pras – 53 years old (1972) – Rapper-songwriter, record producer, and actor
Omar Gooding – 49 years old (1976) – Actor and producer
Desmond Harrington – 49 years old (1976) – Actor
Michael Young – 49 years old (1976) – Baseball player
Jason Reitman – 48 years old (1977) – Canadian-American director, producer, and screenwriter
Brian Robertson – 46 years old (1979) – Trombonist
Rajai Davis – 45 years old (1980) – Baseball player
Benjamin Salisbury – 45 years old (1980) – Actor
J. A. Happ – 43 years old (1982) – Baseball player
Gillian Jacobs – 43 years old (1982) – Actress and director
Cara Santa Maria – 42 years old (1983) – Neuroscientist and blogger
Thundercat – 41 years old (1984) – Singer and record producer
Ciara Renée – 35 years old (1990) – Actress and singer
Colton Dixon – 34 years old (1991) – Singer-songwriter and pianist
Lil Durk – 33 years old (1992) – Rapper
Hunter King – 32 years old (1993) – Actress
Abby Sunderland – 32 years old (1993) – Sailor
Cal Petersen – 31 years old (1994) – Ice hockey player
Sammis Reyes – 30 years old (1995) – Chilean-American football and basketball player
TODAY IS:
- International Gin and Tonic Day: Mac and cheese, PB and J, Pickles and Rye…Gin and Tonic is a classic combination beloved by all. Mix them together, add some lime, and feel the refreshment.
- National New Friends Day: In life's vibrant tapestry, weaving connections opens doors to fresh horizons, and sprinkles joy into everyday moments.
- National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day: Back up your important files and photos on hard drives, set up folders, and get your virtual desktop de-cluttered, streamlined, and well organized.
- National Seafood Bisque Day: Whether eaten as a delightful starter to a full seafood meal on the coast, or enjoyed as a simple main dish served with crusty bread on a cool day, seafood bisque is always a tasty treat. National Seafood Bisque Day is the perfect reminder to enjoy this delicious dish. History...
- World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day: World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day brings attention to the health of children’s bones and joints. Kids run, climb, and play, but their growing bodies need care. This day helps families and doctors talk about injuries, joint pain, and bone problems in young people. These issues can slow down play or...
- National LGBT Center Awareness Day: National LGBT Center Awareness Day brings attention to places that offer safety, care, and real community for LGBTQ+ folks. These centers welcome people from all walks of life, offering help, friendship, and a chance to feel seen. Inside, you might find support groups, health services, or simply someone who listens...
- Evaluate Your Life Day: If you don’t pause to evaluate your life, you can’t plan to improve it. Sit down and consider your goals and habits, and discover what you need to change.
- National Chemistry Week: Through intricate reactions and bonds, this noble science unveils the secrets of matter, forging advancements that enrich lives and shape the world.
- National Baking Week: Creating delightful treats combines creativity, skill, and tradition, bringing joy and delicious aromas to any home.
- Free Speech Week: Neither a political event nor an ideological platform, Free Speech Week is a unifying celebration reminding the people of the US that they all have a voice that may be used and that their neighbor’s voice and opinion are just as valuable as their own! As was written by Evelyn Beatrice...
- YWCA Week Without Violence: Every man, woman, and child can be more involved with building a community that has no tolerance for violence, provides resources and protection for those who need them, and shows honor and respect to every human being! The YWCA Week Without Violence provides a targeted opportunity to increase conversations, tell stories...
- National Parenting Week: National Parenting Week is a special time set aside each October to celebrate and reflect on the art of raising children. The week will shine a light on the critical role parenting plays in shaping children's futures. This week underscores the significance of good parenting and its impact on a...
- National Health Education Week: National Health Education Week focuses on the vital role that health education plays in improving public well-being. It encourages communities to focus on health literacy, helping people understand how to take control of their health. During this week, various public health topics are addressed to help people make informed choices...
- National Temperature Check Week: National Temperature Check Week emphasizes the importance of regularly monitoring body temperature. This week raises awareness about how temperature fluctuations can signal health issues. By checking temperatures, people can detect early signs of infections and other conditions, promoting better health practices. Why Do We Celebrate National Temperature Check Week? Celebrating this week...
- National Adoption Week: National Adoption Week is an annual event that celebrates the positive impact of adoption on children and families. This week provides an opportunity to share inspiring stories from adoptive families and highlight how adoption changes lives. It also helps to educate the public about the adoption process and encourages people...
- International Infection Prevention Week: With the hope of educating the public as well as acting as a reminder to those working in the medical sector, International Infection Prevention Week is here to shine a light on the necessity of active prevention of the spread of illnesses and infections! History of International Infection Prevention Week The...
- National Friends of Libraries Week: While many public libraries in the US do receive some funding from the government, it is often not enough to accomplish the programs and provide all the activities and resources the community could benefit from. Because of this, most libraries have relationships with local businesses, organizations, groups, and individuals who...
- National Teen Driver Safety Week: As the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, car crashes by teen drivers need to be taken seriously and discussed healthily. National Teen Driver Safety Week raises awareness about this issue and brings opportunities to have important conversations about safety! History of National Teen Driver Safety Week The...
- Nuclear Science Week: Nuclear Science Week invites people of all ages, from all around the globe, to get involved and learn more during this important awareness event! History of Nuclear Science Week Beginning in the late 1800s and developing through the first half of the 20th century, the science of atomic radiation, nuclear fission...
- National School Bus Safety Week: Behind the wheel, they navigate the roads of possibility, ensuring the next generation's safe voyage to knowledge with a friendly smile.
- Map Reading Week: Being able to read a map is a fundamental life skill and the basis of all outdoor activities. We want to create an annual event that encourages everyone to improve their map-reading skills! During Map Reading Week, Ordnance Survey and other outdoor organizations will be providing help and support with all...
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