October 4

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:

1641 – The first Christian religious service in Michigan was led by two French Jesuit missionaries in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

1881 – Edward Leveaux received a patent for his player piano.

1895 – The first U.S. Open golf tournament took place in Newport, RI.

1909 – The first airship race in the U.S. took place in St. Louis, MO.

1915 – The Dinosaur National Monument was established. The area covered part of Utah and Colorado.

1927 – Gutzon Borglum began carving on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

1931 – The Chester Gould comic strip “Dick Tracy” made its debut in the Detroit Daily Mirror.

1933 – “Esquire” magazine was published for the first time.

1957 – The television show “Leave it to Beaver”, starring Jerry Mathers, debuted on CBS.

1957 – The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I into orbit around the Earth. It was the first manmade satellite to enter space. The satellite fell out of orbit on January 4, 1958.

1958 – The first trans-Atlantic passenger service begins with flights between London, England and New York, NY operated by British Overseas Airways Corporation.

1965 – Pope Paul VI arrived in New York, NY, the first Pope to visit the Americas.

1976 – Barbara Walters joined Harry Reasoner at the anchor desk of the TV’s “ABC Evening News” for the first time.

1983 – Richard Noble set a new land speed record of 633.468 miles per hour, driving Thrust2 at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.

1986 – CBS news anchor Dan Rather was attacked by two men yelling “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?”. The band REM used the phrase for a song title a decade later.

1987 – NFL owners used replacement personnel to play games despite the player’s strike.

1988 – Televangelist Jim Bakker was indicted for fraud.

1990 – The TV show “Beverly Hills 90210” debuted. It would remain on the air for 10 years.

1997 – Hundreds of thousands of men attended a Promise Keepers rally on the Mall in Washington, DC.

1997 – Farm Aid ’97 raised over $1 million for U.S. farmers.

1997 – The second largest cash robbery in the U.S. history occurred at the Charlotte, NC office of Loomis, Fargo and Company. An FBI investigation eventually resulted in 24 convictions and the recovery of approximately 95% of the $17.3 million in stolen cash.

1998 – In Washington, DC, the Vincent Van Gogh exhibit opened. It featured 70 paintings.

2001 – Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hit his 70th home run of the season to tie Mark McGwire’s record and moved past Reggie Jackson on the all-time list.

2001 – Rickey Henderson of the San Diego Padres scored his 2,246th career run to break Ty Cobb’s major league record.

2001 – Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC reopened for the first time since the September 11th attacks.

2004 – SpaceShipOne, the privately funded manned spacecraft, flew above the Earth’s atmosphere for the second time in a week, winning the $10 million Ansari X Prize.

2006 – Wikileaks was launched by Julian Assange.

2013 – The movie “Gravity” premiered in theaters. The film starred Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. It would win seven Academy Awards.

2021 – Facebook-owned platforms suffered a massive outage. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Oculus VR  disappeared from the internet around 11:40 am ET and stayed that way until about 6 pm ET, when the apps started to work again. The outage was caused during a routine update to the company’s Border Gateway Protocol records.

BIRTHDAYS:

Leroy Van Dyke – 96 years old (1929) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Felicia Farr – 93 years old (1932) – Actress and model

David Crocker – 88 years old (1937) – Philosopher and academic

Lloyd Green – 88 years old (1937) – Steel guitar player

Steve Swallow – 85 years old (1940) – Bass player and composer

Roy Blount Jr. – 84 years old (1941) – Humorist and journalist

Karen Cushman – 84 years old (1941) – Author

H. Rap Brown – 82 years old (1943) – Activist

Tony La Russa – 81 years old (1944) – Baseball player and manager

Clifton Davis – 80 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter, actor, and minister

Chuck Hagel – 79 years old (1946) – Sergeant and politician, 24th United States Secretary of Defense

Michael Mullen – 79 years old (1946) – Admiral

Susan Sarandon – 79 years old (1946) – Actress and activist

Jim Fielder – 78 years old (1947) – Bass player

Linda McMahon – 77 years old (1948) – Businesswoman and politician

Duke Robillard – 77 years old (1948) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Armand Assante – 76 years old (1949) – Actor and producer

Stephen Gyllenhaal – 76 years old (1949) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Alan Rosenberg – 75 years old (1950) – Actor

Truck Robinson – 74 years old (1951) – Basketball player and coach

Anita DeFrantz – 73 years old (1952) – Rower and sports administrator

Jody Stephens – 73 years old (1952) – Rock drummer

Charlie Leibrandt – 69 years old (1956) – Baseball player

Sherri Turner – 69 years old (1956) – Golfer

Bill Fagerbakke – 68 years old (1957) – Actor

Russell Simmons – 68 years old (1957) – Businessman, founded Def Jam Recordings and Phat Farm

Barbara Kooyman – 67 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Wendy Makkena – 67 years old (1958) – Actress

Joe Boever – 65 years old (1960) – Baseball player

Jon Secada – 64 years old (1961) – Cuban-American singer-songwriter

A.C. Green – 62 years old (1963) – Basketball player

Skip Heller – 60 years old (1965) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Micky Ward – 60 years old (1965) – Boxer

Vicky Bullett – 58 years old (1967) – Basketball player and coach

Liev Schreiber – 58 years old (1967) – Actor and director

Tim Wise – 57 years old (1968) – Activist and author

Abraham Benrubi – 56 years old (1969) – Actor

Kurt Thomas – 53 years old (1972) – Basketball player

M. Ward – 52 years old (1973) – Singer-songwriter

Alicia Silverstone – 49 years old (1976) – Actress, producer, and author

Dana Davis – 47 years old (1978) – Actress and author

Phillip Glasser – 47 years old (1978) – Actor and producer

Kyle Lohse – 47 years old (1978) – Baseball player

Rachael Leigh Cook – 46 years old (1979) – Actress

Sarah Fisher – 45 years old (1980) – Race car driver

James Jones – 45 years old (1980) – Basketball player

Justin Williams – 44 years old (1981) – Canadian-American ice hockey player

Tony Gwynn Jr. – 43 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Jered Weaver – 43 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Chansi Stuckey – 42 years old (1983) – Football player

Kurt Suzuki – 42 years old (1983) – Baseball player

Melissa Benoist – 37 years old (1988) – Actress and singer

Lonnie Chisenhall – 37 years old (1988) – Baseball player

Derrick Rose – 37 years old (1988) – Basketball player

Dakota Johnson – 36 years old (1989) – Actress

Mike Williams – 31 years old (1994) – Football player

Kenny Clark – 30 years old (1995) – Football player

TODAY IS:

• National Vodka Day: Raise your glass and have a toast to one of the world’s most versatile spirits, vodka. Try infusing your own vodka, buying a new flavor, or making a new cocktail.
• National Good Buddy Day: Inspired by connectivity crackling through the airwaves, shared tales echo like a convoy's camaraderie—Good Buddy vibes resonate.
• National Cinnamon Roll Day: Enjoyed the world over, these delectable Swedish morsels are every pastry-lover’s dream. Take a sumptuous bite on Cinnamon Roll Day!
• St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day: Every year on October 4, people around the world celebrate St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day. It is a day dedicated to the life and virtues of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. This special day resonates with many due to its strong themes...
• National Truckers Day: National Truckers Day is a vibrant celebration dedicated to the hard-working truck drivers who keep our economy moving. This day shines a spotlight on the essential role truckers play in delivering goods across the country. Their efforts ensure that store shelves stay stocked and essential supplies reach businesses and homes...
• National Golf Lover’s Day: Fetch your clubs, hit the green and tee off in style on National Golf Lovers Day!
• World Animal Day: Go vegetarian for a day, and consider the lives of all kinds of animals and the threat humans pose to them.
• Improve Your Office Day: Improve your work life by improving your setting. Make sure your desk, office, even break room are not hectic or unpleasant places to work, but pleasant ones.
• Change A Light Day: Save your electricity bill and the environment by switching to LED lights, which tend to use less energy and therefore are cheaper and more Earth-friendly.
• Ship in A Bottle Day: Originally created by sailors at sea, the time-honored art of putting a ship in a bottle is a difficult but rewarding hobby for anyone—and no, it’s not magic.
• No Disposable Cup Day : Reducing waste and promoting sustainability, embracing reusable alternatives helps protect the environment for future generations.
• National Get Out N Drive Day: National Get Out N Drive Day encourages people to rediscover the joy of being behind the wheel. It’s not about racing or showing off, but about the thrill of motion, the hum of the engine, and the freedom of the open road. The day sparks appreciation for the cars we love...
• International Blessings of The Fishing Fleet Day: International Blessings of the Fishing Fleet Day brings people to the water’s edge, hearts full and eyes on the boats. Fishermen steer their vessels slowly past the dock. Each one carries more than nets—there’s hope on board, too. Priests or ministers walk along the pier, lifting their hands in prayer. They bless...
• National GOE Day: National GOE Day, which stands for Growth, Overcome, Empower, invites people to reflect on their own progress and inner strength. It’s about pausing to recognize how far we’ve come and what we’ve pushed through. Facing challenges brings change, and this day honors that process. Sharing stories, embracing growth, and encouraging...
• World Communion Sunday: World Communion Sunday brings Christians worldwide together on the first Sunday of October. This day is a vivid celebration of unity among different Christian denominations. Through a shared Communion service, it emphasizes global togetherness and the sharing of bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus Christ. It's a moment when...
• 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...
• Tbilisoba: Tbilisoba is a vibrant celebration that brings the entire city of Tbilisi alive with colors, sounds, and flavors. This festival honors the spirit and diversity of Georgia's capital. The event fills the streets with lively parades, concerts, and markets showcasing traditional Georgian crafts and food. Local farmers and artisans come...
• World Day of Migrants and Refugees: They leave everything behind—homes, friends, even family. Forced to cross borders, they search for peace and safety. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees brings their stories into the spotlight. It reminds the world that behind every number stands a face, a voice, a dream. People on the move are...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• National Vegetarian Week: National Vegetarian Week is a lively celebration that spotlights the vibrant and tasty world of vegetarianism. Organized by the Vegetarian Society, this week-long event is a time to enjoy and explore the many benefits and flavors of a plant-based lifestyle. It aims to inspire people to try new vegetarian dishes...
• 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...
• 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.
• 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...
• Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week: These superheroes of the hospital kitchen ensure patients receive delicious, nutritious meals, taking pride in boosting morale and recovery.
• 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.
• 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!

Powered by Days Of The Year

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.