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.
- Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day: Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day is a special time to say thanks to those who teach in Sunday schools. This day falls on the third Sunday of October. It's a day set aside to celebrate Sunday school teachers' hard work and dedication, who often volunteer their time to share faith...
- 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.
- World Toy Camera Day: Dig up a toy camera to join the world in taking the silliest, lowest quality pictures imaginable and sharing the blurry, grainy joy with the world.
- 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.
- Ace Week: Raising understanding and recognition for a diverse orientation, asexual awareness fosters inclusivity and validation in society.
- 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...
- 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...
- Respiratory Care Week: National Respiratory Care Week has been celebrated for more than 40 years, bringing attention and awareness to this critical healthcare role! How to Celebrate National Respiratory Care Week Thank a Respiratory Therapist Whether a friend, family member or colleague, show some appreciation to a respiratory therapist during this important week. Say...
- 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 Massage Therapy Awareness Week: More than just making a person feel relaxed, massage therapy can have all sorts of positive effects on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental health. Whether it’s a short armchair massage to relieve stress or a full-body deep-tissue massage for healing after illness, this therapeutic practice can work on its...
- 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...
- 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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