September 18

Scott Winters September 18, 2025 1 Comment

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:

1769 – It was reported, by the Boston Gazette, that the first piano had been built in North America. The instrument was called the spinet and was made by John Harris.

1789 – Alexander Hamilton negotiated and secured the first loan for the United States for $19,608.81. The Temporary Loan of 1789 was repaid on June 8, 1790.

1793 – The first cornerstone of the Capitol building was laid by President George Washington.

1830 – The first locomotive built in America, the “Tom Thumb”, raced a horse on a nine-mile course. The horse won when the locomotive had some mechanical difficulties.

1851 – The first publication of “The New York Daily Times”, which later becomes “The New York Times”.

1870 – Old Faithful Geyser was observed and named by Henry D. Washburn during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition to Yellowstone.

1895 – Daniel David Palmer gave the first chiropractic adjustment.

1927 – The Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting System debuted with a network of 16 radio stations. The named was later changed to just CBS.

1946 – The toy company Mound Metalcraft was founded in Mound, MN. The company changed its named to Tonka Toys Inc. on November 23, 1955.

1947 – The United States Air Force was established as a separate military branch by the National Security Act.

1955 – The “Ed Sullivan Show” began on CBS-TV. The show had been called “The Toast of the Town” since it debuted in 1948.

1956 – Play-Doh was invented. Over 900 million pounds have been sold since!

1963 – TV’s “The Patty Duke Show” premiered on ABC.

1964 – The TV show “The Adams Family” premiered. The show only ran for 2 seasons.

1965 – The TV show “Get Smart” debuted on NBC.

1965 – The first episode of “I Dream of Jeannie”, starring Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman, was shown on NBC-TV. The show continued until September 1, 1970.

1969 – Tiny Tim announced to Johnny Carson, on “The Tonight Show”, his engagement to Miss Vicki Budinger. Carson asked the two to be married on the show. They made TV history with their wedding on December 17, 1969.

1975 – Newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was captured by the FBI in San Francisco. She had been kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army 19 months earlier.

1977 – Voyage 1 took it’s first photograph of the Earth and the Moon together.

1981 – The Ford Presidential Museum, honoring former President Gerald R. Ford, was dedicated in Grand Rapids, MI. Read more about it here.

1983 – The members of KISS appeared on MTV without their makeup.

1984 – Joe Kittinger completed the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic.

1985 – The TV show “Late Night with David Letterman” presented its first “Top Ten List” — Things That Almost Rhyme With Peas.

1987 – “DuckTales” debuted on TV.

1987 – The movie “Fatal Attraction”, starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close, premiered in theaters.

1998 – Reba McEntire received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1998 – The FDA approved a once-a-day, easier-to-swallow, medication for AIDS patients.

1998 – The movie “Rush Hour” debuted with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

1999 – Sammy Sosa, of the Chicago Cubs, becomes the first player in Major League baseball history to hit 60 home runs in two seasons.

2001 – First mailing of anthrax letters from Trenton, NJ, in the 2001 anthrax attacks.

2003 – Robert Duvall received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2006 – The CW Television Network launched.

2009 – The animated movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” premiered in theaters.

2009 – The soap opera “The Guiding Light” aired its final episode and ended it’s 72 year run.

2022 – The State Funeral for Queen Elizabeth II was held.

BIRTHDAYS:

Mark di Suvero – 92 years old (1933) – Italian-American sculptor

Frankie Avalon – 85 years old (1940) – Singer and actor

Michael Franks – 81 years old (1944) – Singer-songwriter

Drew Gilpin Faust – 78 years old (1947) – Historian and academic

Lynn Abbey – 77 years old (1948) – Computer programmer and author

Beth Grant – 76 years old (1949) – Actress

Kerry Livgren – 76 years old (1949) – Guitarist and songwriter

Anna Deavere Smith – 75 years old (1950) – Actress and playwright

Ben Carson – 74 years old (1951) – Neurosurgeon, author, and politician

Tony Scott – 74 years old (1951) – Baseball player and coach

Rick Pitino – 73 years old (1952) – Basketball player and coach

Carl Jackson – 72 years old (1953) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Steven Pinker – 71 years old (1954) – Canadian-American psychologist, linguist, and author

Tommy Tuberville – 71 years old (1954) – Football player, coach, and Senator

Keith Morris – 70 years old (1955) – Singer-songwriter

Chris Hedges – 69 years old (1956) – Journalist and author

Jeff Bostic – 67 years old (1958) – Football player and commentator

Mark Romanek – 66 years old (1959) – Director and screenwriter

Stephen Flaherty – 65 years old (1960) – Composer

Konstantin Kakanias – 64 years old (1961) – Greek-American painter and illustrator

Mark Olson – 64 years old (1961) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Boris Said – 63 years old (1962) – Race car driver

Holly Robinson Peete – 61 years old (1964) – Actress and singer

Steffen Peters – 61 years old (1964) – German-American equestrian

Tom Chorske – 59 years old (1966) – Ice hockey player and sportscaster

Cappadonna – 56 years old (1969) – Rapper

Aisha Tyler – 55 years old (1970) – Actress, television host, and author

Lance Armstrong – 54 years old (1971) – Cyclist

Jada Pinkett Smith – 54 years old (1971) – Actress

James Marsden – 52 years old (1973) – Actor

Damon Jones – 51 years old (1974) – Football player and coach

Ticha Penicheiro – 51 years old (1974) – Portuguese-American basketball player and agent

Emily Rutherfurd – 51 years old (1974) – Actress

Travis Schuldt – 51 years old (1974) – Actor

Xzibit – 51 years old (1974) – Rapper, actor, and television host

Jason Sudeikis – 50 years old (1975) – Actor and comedian

Sophina Brown – 49 years old (1976) – Actress

Barrett Foa – 48 years old (1977) – Actor, singer, and dancer

Billy Eichner – 47 years old (1978) – Actor and comedian

Jennifer Tisdale – 44 years old (1981) – Actress and singer

Anthony Gonzalez – 41 years old (1984) – Football player and politician

Travis Outlaw – 41 years old (1984) – Basketball player

Patrick Schwarzenegger – 32 years old (1993) – American-Austrian actor and model

Christian Pulisic – 27 years old (1998) – Soccer player

Aidan Gallagher – 22 years old (2003) – Actor and musician

Jackson Robert Scott – 17 years old (2008) – Actor

TODAY IS:

National Ceiling Fan Day: Whirling air companions, quietly refreshing spaces, their rhythmic dance embraces comfort with silent efficiency and style.
National Cheeseburger Day: There are many ways to make a cheeseburger. Try something new and exciting like a Reuben Cheeseburger, or get a classic at your favorite restaurant or drive-thru.
International Equal Pay Day:
International Grenache Day: Host a grenache day event with friends and family and enjoy different vintages of this excellent wine that hails originally from Aragon, Spain.
World Bamboo Day: Discover the versatility and sustainability of a plant that offers strength, beauty, and eco-friendly solutions for various industries.
National First Love Day: Let nostalgia take hold of you and remember all the joys and pains of your first love. If you’re on good terms, maybe get in touch with that person.
National Tradesmen Day: Give a big thanks and some thought and appreciation to the backbone of our society: tradesmen like carpenters, auto mechanics, bricklayers and much more.
National Day of Civic Hacking: Hack your city! Civic hacking is a fun way to engage with your community and help make your city a better place to live.
Rice Krispies Treats Day:
Read An Ebook Day: Get lost in the world of a book, whether new or an old favorite, without the hassle of lugging it around, holding it up, or damaging it. That’s right, read an eBook!
World Water Monitoring Day: Grab a testing kit from your local hardware store, and make sure your water is safe. Check any pools for chemical levels, and check your drinking water.
4pm Finish Day: Why even have that dreaded last hour of the workday? Plan ahead and get yourself ready to finish the day early so you can head out at 4pm instead of 5pm.
Raspberry Day: Promoting understanding of this unique medical condition, fostering empathy and support for those on their journey with hidden challenges.
Global Company Culture Day:
Purple Bra Day:
National Cartonnage Day:
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day:
Hug A Greeting Card Writer Day: Appreciate the creativity and positivity of those master word crafters who write the cards that tell others how we feel. Give a greeting card writer a hug!
Chiropractic Founders Day:
National Report Kickback Fraud Day:
National Concussion Awareness Day: Concussions can range from mild to life-threatening, so it’s always important to learn the signs and make sure anyone with a concussion gets medical help ASAP.
National Respect Day: Pay attention to your loved ones, and make a point of treating everyone with due respect…and yeah, maybe also play Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” on repeat.
U.S. Air Force Day: A symbol of dedication and strength, this aerial defense team safeguards the skies, enabling freedom and security for the nation.
Chile’s Independence Day:
National Neonatal Nurses Week : Providing compassionate care to newborns and support for families, these healthcare heroes play a crucial role in healthcare.
Rtveli:
Fiesta de San Pacho:
Heritage Open Days:
Healthcare Environmental Services Week:
Biscuits and Gravy Week:
National Assisted Living Week :
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.
World Wellness Weekend:
Housekeepers Week: Housekeeping is tough and often thankless work, so make sure to give a big thank-you and even a small gift to the housekeepers who keep hotels and the like clean.