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:
1849 – Author/poet Edgar Allan Poe was found delirious in a gutter in Baltimore, MD, under mysterious circumstances. It was the last time he was seen in public before his death.
1863 – President Abraham Lincoln declared that the last Thursday of November would be recognized as Thanksgiving Day.
1887 – Terrible storms hit the Great Lakes. Several ships were lost including “The City of Green Bay”, “The Havana”, and “The California”.
1893 – J.S. Thurman patented the motor-driven vacuum cleaner.
1901 – The Victor Talking Machine Company was incorporated. After a merger with Radio Corporation of America the company became RCA-Victor.
1906 – W.T. Grant opened a 25-cent department store.
1942 – The Office of Economic Stabilization was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He also authorized controls on wages, salaries, rents, and farm prices.
1954 – The television show “Father Knows Best” began airing on CBS.
1955 – The children’s television show “Captain Kangaroo” premiered on CBS.
1955 – The children’s television show “The Mickey Mouse Club” premiered on ABC.
1961 – TV’s “The Dick Van Dyke Show” debuted on CBS.
1962 – Sigma 7 was launched from Cape Canaveral, with astronaut Wally Shirra on board for a six orbit, nine hour flight.
1974 – Frank Robinson took over the management position of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. He was the first black manager in major league baseball.
1980 – The movie “Somewhere in Time” was released by Universal Studios Entertainment. It was filmed on Michigan’s Mackinac Island at the famous Grand Hotel.
1985 – The Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-51-J) made its maiden flight.
1988 – The Space Shuttle Discovery, on the first mission since the Challenger disaster, landed safely after four days in space.
1989 – Art Shell became the first African-American head coach in the modern NFL when he took over the Los Angeles Raiders.
1990 – The Berlin Wall was dismantled eleven months after the borders between East and West Germany were dissolved after 45 years of division.
1992 – On TV’s “Saturday Night Live”, Sinead O’Connor tore a picture of the Pope.
1995 – O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
2000 – Mark David Chapman was denied parole after a 50-minute meeting with the parole board at Attica State Prison in New York, NY. Chapman had been sentenced to life for the murder of John Lennon on December 8, 1980.
2001 – On a Greyhound bus near Manchester, TN, passenger Damir Igric slashed the driver’s throat, causing a wreck that killed six and injures 34 others. The driver survived.
2003 – On his birthday, Ray Horn, of “Siegfried & Roy,” was attacked by a tiger during a performance. Roy survived the attack after being dragged offstage. The tiger, a 7-year-old male named Montecore, was debuting in his first show.
2004 – The television show “Desperate Housewives” debuted on ABC.
2005 – Jim Leyland was introduced as the new manager for the Detroit Tigers.
2006 – The TV show “Friday Night Lights” premiered on NBC. It ran until February 2011.
2008 – The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 for the U.S. financial system was signed by President George W. Bush.
2008 – O.J. Simpson was found guilty of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas, NV, hotel room.
BIRTHDAYS:
Benjamin Boretz – 91 years old (1934) – Composer and theorist
Charles Duke – 90 years old (1935) – General, pilot, and astronaut
Steve Reich – 89 years old (1936) – Composer
Chubby Checker – 84 years old (1941) – Singer-songwriter
Jeff Bingaman – 82 years old (1943) – Soldier and politician, 25th Attorney General of New Mexico
Bob Riley – 81 years old (1944) – Politician, 52nd Governor of Alabama
P. P. Arnold – 79 years old (1946) – Soul singer
Lindsey Buckingham – 76 years old (1949) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
Laurie Simmons – 76 years old (1949) – Photographer and director
Ronnie Laws – 75 years old (1950) – Jazz, R&B, and funk saxophone player
Keb' Mo' – 74 years old (1951) – Blues musician and songwriter
Kathryn D. Sullivan – 74 years old (1951) – Geologist and astronaut
Dave Winfield – 74 years old (1951) – Baseball player and sportscaster
Bruce Arians – 73 years old (1952) – Football coach
Eddie DeGarmo – 71 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter, keyboard player, and producer
Dennis Eckersley – 71 years old (1954) – Baseball player and sportscaster
Al Sharpton – 71 years old (1954) – Minister, talk show host, and political activist
Moshe Kam – 70 years old (1955) – Engineering educator
Fred Couples – 66 years old (1959) – Golfer
Greg Proops – 66 years old (1959) – Comedian, actor, and screenwriter
Jack Wagner – 66 years old (1959) – Actor and singer
Tommy Lee – 63 years old (1962) – Greek-American singer-songwriter, drummer, and producer
Benny Anders – 62 years old (1963) – Basketball player
Dan Goldie – 62 years old (1963) – Tennis player
Darrin Fletcher – 59 years old (1966) – Baseball player and sportscaster
Rob Liefeld – 58 years old (1967) – Author and illustrator
Chris Collingwood – 58 years old (1967) – English-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
Greg Foster – 57 years old (1968) – Basketball player and coach
Janel Moloney – 56 years old (1969) – Actress
Gwen Stefani – 56 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter, actress, and fashion designer
Wil Cordero – 54 years old (1971) – Puerto Rican-American baseball player and coach
Kevin Richardson – 54 years old (1971) – Singer-songwriter and actor
G. Love – 53 years old (1972) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player
Guy Oseary – 53 years old (1972) – Israeli-American talent manager and businessman
Keiko Agena – 52 years old (1973) – Actress
Angélica Gavaldón – 52 years old (1973) – American-Mexican tennis player and coach
India Arie – 50 years old (1975) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actress
Talib Kweli – 50 years old (1975) – Rapper
Alanna Ubach – 50 years old (1975) – Actress
Seann William Scott – 49 years old (1976) – Actor and producer
Daniel Hollie – 48 years old (1977) – Wrestler
Eric Munson – 48 years old (1977) – Baseball player and coach
Jake Shears – 47 years old (1978) – Singer-songwriter
Shannyn Sossamon – 47 years old (1978) – Actress
Josh Klinghoffer – 46 years old (1979) – Guitarist, songwriter, and producer
John Morrison – 46 years old (1979) – Wrestler and actor
Anquan Boldin – 45 years old (1980) – Football player
Tessa Thompson – 42 years old (1983) – Actress
Chris Marquette – 41 years old (1984) – Actor
Gary Neal – 41 years old (1984) – Basketball player and coach
Ashlee Simpson – 41 years old (1984) – Singer-songwriter and actress
Courtney Lee – 40 years old (1985) – Basketball player
Dustin Gazley – 37 years old (1988) – Ice hockey player
ASAP Rocky – 37 years old (1988) – Rapper and songwriter
Nate Montana – 36 years old (1989) – Football player
Seth Jones – 31 years old (1994) – Ice hockey player
Ayo Edebiri – 30 years old (1995) – Actress
Mike Gesicki – 30 years old (1995) – Football player
Jonathan Isaac – 28 years old (1997) – Basketball player
CJ Abrams – 25 years old (2000) – Baseball player
C. J. Stroud – 24 years old (2001) – Football player
Noah Schnapp – 21 years old (2004) – Actor
TODAY IS:
- National Boyfriend Day: Plan a fun date, buy or create a thoughtful gift, and make sure your boyfriend knows how important he is to you.
- National No Sugar Day: Embracing a healthier lifestyle, eliminating the sneaky culprits, and savoring the sweetness of natural flavors.
- National Techies Day: Get yourself a new tech gadget, learn more about tech, teach others, and appreciate the important role tech and techies have in our modern lives these days.
- World Smile Day: Bring smiles to the faces of others through acts of kindness, community work, and of course offering your own lovely smile to brighten anyone’s day.
- Mean Girls Day: Embracing the iconic humor, camaraderie, and memorable moments of a beloved cinematic classic that resonates with audiences.
- Kids Music Day: It’s never too early to start teaching kids the joy of music. Take part in a local Kids Music Day event, or just sit down with your child to teach them some basics.
- College Radio Day: Student-run stations offer diverse music, unique perspectives, and a platform for emerging talent and community engagement.
- Buy British Day: Have you ever wondered how you might show support for local UK industries? Well, today is your lucky day. There's a special day for that – Buy British Day. Mark your calendars for the day. It’s when the UK's rich heritage and quality products take the stage. Buy British Day...
- National Body Language Day: National Body Language Day celebrates the powerful role of nonverbal communication in our daily lives. This special day highlights how our gestures, expressions, and movements can convey thoughts and emotions without a single word. It's a reminder that understanding body language helps us connect more deeply with others, making interactions...
- Virus Appreciation Day: Viruses play an important part in our lives and ecosystem, and not always in a bad way. Learn about these roles and how viruses impact the world around us.
- Plaidurday: Timeless fashion and even more timeless warmth, break out your plaid on Plaidurday for a fashionable, cozy day in one of the world’s most popular patterns.
- Manufacturing Day: Crafting innovations, factories shape raw materials into practical items, driving progress and technological advancements in society.
- World Romance Scam Prevention Day: World Romance Scam Prevention Day raises awareness about online dating fraud. It helps people spot fake love traps before they fall for them. Romance scammers pretend to be kind, charming, and sincere. But their real goal is to trick victims into sending money or sharing personal details. These scams often begin...
- World Temperance Day: Have you ever paused to think about how alcohol affects our lives? World Temperance Day invites us to reflect on this very question. It's a global call to consider the impact of drinking on our health, relationships, and communities. The day encourages people to explore the benefits of reducing or...
- International Crumhorn Day: Exploring historical wind instruments, the crumhorn's unique sound adds a distinctive touch to musical compositions.
- British Carrot Awareness Day: British Carrot Awareness Day throws the spotlight on a bold, crunchy favourite. Carrots burst with colour, snap with freshness, and grow in fields across the UK. On this day, growers speak up, shoppers lean in, and cooks get creative. It's a loud, proud moment for the vegetable aisle’s unsung hero. Whether...
- National Wide Awakes Day: National Wide Awakes Day is an exciting and meaningful celebration that honors the spirit of youth activism and political engagement. It remembers the Wide Awakes, a group of young activists who played a crucial role in the election of Abraham Lincoln and the abolition movement. The day highlights the power...
- Wakey Wakey Hospice PJ Day: By donning comfy PJs, individuals can contribute to a noble cause, bringing warmth and support to those in need while staying cozy!
- National Manufacturing Week: National Manufacturing Week shines a spotlight on the manufacturing sector's vital role in the economy. Celebrated with events and activities, this week underscores the industry's contributions to innovation and job creation. It involves various organizations sharing data and insights, which helps highlight manufacturing's impact on daily life and the economy. This...
- World Animal Week: Shining light on the silent plight, voices unite for the voiceless, fostering compassion, a global symphony against neglect.
- BPD Awareness Week: Raising understanding about a mental health condition, fostering empathy for those navigating the complexities of BPD.
- 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...
- Fiesta de San Pacho: Fiesta de San Pacho is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets of Quibdó with music, dance, and color. The festival honors Saint Francis of Assisi, blending Catholic traditions with Afro-Colombian culture uniquely and joyfully. As the day unfolds, the city becomes a stage where people showcase their rich heritage...
- 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.
- Walk Your Dog Week: Take your dog out for a long walk and give you both some exercise, or volunteer to walk shelter dogs at a rescue or humane society—maybe you’ll take one home!
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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.

