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:
1666 – The Great Fire of London burned out after three days. 10,000 buildings, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, were destroyed, but only 16 people died.
1774 – The first session of the United States Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia, PA. The delegates drafted a declaration of rights and grievances, organized the Continental Association, and elected Peyton Randolph as the first President of the Continental Congress.
1877 – Sioux Indian chief Crazy Horse was killed by the bayonet of a U.S. soldier at Fort Robinson in Nebraska. The chief allegedly resisted confinement to a jail cell.
1881 – The American Red Cross provided relief for disaster for the first time. The disaster was the Great Fire of 1881 in Michigan. Several days of severe forest fires caused widespread damage and death in the thumb area of Michigan. 282 died.
1882 – The first U.S. Labor Day parade was held in New York, NY.
1885 – Jake Gumper bought the first gasoline pump to be manufactured in the U.S.
1901 – The first organized baseball league — The National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues — was formed in Chicago, IL.
1914 – Babe Ruth hit his first home run as a professional player in the International League.
1927 – The first Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon, “Trolley Troubles”, wais produced by Walt Disney and released by Universal Pictures.
1930 – Charles Creighton and James Hagris completed the drive from New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA and back to New York — all in reverse gear. The trip took 42 days in their 1929 Ford Model A.
1939 – The U.S. proclaimed its neutrality in World War II.
1945 – Iva Toguri D’Aquino was arrested. D’Aquino was suspected of being the wartime radio propagandist “Tokyo Rose”. She served six years and was later pardoned by President Gerald Ford.
1953 – The first privately operated atomic reactor opened in Raleigh, NC.
1958 – The first color videotaped program was aired. It was “The Betty Freezor Show” on WBTV-TV in Charlotte, NC.
1958 – Boris Pasternak’s “Doctor Zhivago” was published for the first time in the U.S.
1959 – Governor G. Mennen Williams led the first Mackinac Bridge Walk.
1960 – Cassius Clay of Louisville, KY, won the gold medal in light heavyweight boxing at the Olympic Games in Rome, Italy. Clay later changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
1961 – The U.S. government made airline hijacking a federal offense.
1966 – Jerry Lewis hosted his first Muscular Dystrophy Telethon on a New York station. He raised a million dollars in pledges to fight the disease. It later became a nationally broadcast event. Lewis hosted the telethon annually until 2010.
1975 – In Sacramento, CA, President Gerald Ford escaped an assassination attempt by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson.
1977 – The U.S. launched Voyager 1 after a brief delay.
1983 – “Sports Illustrated” became the first national weekly magazine to use four-color process illustrations on every page.
1983 – The “MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour” on PBS became the first hour-long network news show.
1984 – The Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-41-D) landed after its maiden voyage.
1984 – Mortimer Zuckerman purchased the news magazine, “U.S. News & World Report” for $163 million.
1986 – Merv Griffin aired his final program for Metromedia Television after 23 years on various talk shows.
1986 – NASA launched DOD-1.
1987 – “American Bandstand” was cancelled after 30 years on television.
1989 – Deborah Norville became the news anchor of the “Today” show.
1990 – B.B. King received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
1992 – A General Motors Corporation strike ended with a new agreement being approved. Nearly 43,000 workers were on strike.
1996 – Hurricane Fran made landfall near Cape Fear, NC as a Category 3 storm with 115 mph sustained winds. Fran caused over $3 billion in damages and killed 27 people.
1999 – La-Z-Boy introduced its new Oasis recliner in Detroit, MI. The tilt-back chair was designed for TV football fans and was equipped with a telephone, heat, a massager, and a cooler large enough to hold a six-pack.
2001 – The TV show “The Amazing Race” debuted on CBS.
2003 – In London, magician David Blaine entered a clear plastic box which was then suspended by a crane over the banks of the Thames River. He remained there until October 19 surviving only on water.
2017 – Hurricane Irma became the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin region with winds of 185 mile per hour.
2017 – The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held for Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
BIRTHDAYS:
Carol Lawrence – 93 years old (1932) – Actress, singer
William Devane – 86 years old (1939) – Actor (“Family Plot”, “Rolling Thunder”, “Stargate SG-1”, “The Dark Knight Rises”, TV’s “Knots Landing”, “24”, “The West Wing”)
George Lazenby – 86 years old (1939) – Actor (Played James Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”)
Al Stewart – 80 years old (1945) – Singer (“Year of the Cat”)
Loudon Wainwright III – 79 years old (1946) – Singer, actor
Cathy Guisewaite – 75 years old (1950) – Cartoonist (“Cathy”)
Michael Keaton – 74 years old (1951) – Actor (“Batman”, “Birdman”, “Mister Mom”, “Beetlejuice”, “Batman Returns”, “Pacific Heights”, “Herbie: Fully Loaded”)
Kristian Alfonso – 62 years old (1963) – Actress (Played Hope Williams Brady on TV’s “Days of Our Lives”)
Brad Wilk – 57 years old (1968) – Drummer (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage)
Dweezil Zappa – 56 years old (1969) – Musician, TV personality
Rose McGowan – 52 years old (1973) – Actress (“Scream”, “Jawbreaker”, “Ready to Rumble”, TV’s “Charmed”)
TODAY IS:
- National Cheese Pizza Day: When it comes to satisfying your pizza cravings, nothing hits the spot quite like a warm, gooey slice of cheesy goodness.
- National Lazy Mom’s Day: Parenting is a demanding job, but it's okay to take a break. Resting and practicing self-care can recharge and make you a better parent.
- International Day of Charity: Any charitable donation, big or small, money or time, can go a long way to helping solve some of the world’s worst problems, such as child hunger or the environment.
- National Chianti Day: Savoring this rich, velvety red with deep flavors and aromatic complexity enhances any meal or celebration beautifully.
- National Food Bank Day: With tens of millions of Americans living in food-insecure households and many more all over the globe, food banks have become a critical part of making sure families and individuals have access to the food resources they need every day. National Food Bank Day is here to celebrate this service...
- World Samosa Day: Learn how to make the delicious stuffed, spiced, fried appetizer known as a samosa yourself, or get some Indian food to enjoy some professionally made ones.
- National Cellulite Day: National Cellulite Day celebrates body positivity by encouraging women to embrace their bodies, cellulite and all. This day aims to dismantle the stigma that cellulite is something to be ashamed of. Since nearly 90% of women experience cellulite at some point, this condition is far more common than many realize. The...
- Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day: Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day is an annual event celebrated on September 5. It's a day that shines a light on the challenges faced by individuals living with spinal cord injuries. With a focus on raising awareness, it aims to educate the public on the struggles and victories of this community. How...
- Saint Teresa Sanctification Day: Saint Teresa Sanctification Day in Albania is a time when the nation honors one of its most revered figures, Mother Teresa. Born in Skopje, North Macedonia, she dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick around the world. It's a day that brings a sense of national pride and unity...
- National Be Late for Something Day: Stop and smell the roses, and give yourself permission to be late to something rather than rushing through life without taking the time to actually enjoy it.
- Bring Your Manners To Work Day: Though you should be polite year round, take Take Your Manners to Work Day as an opportunity to make sure you’re treating everyone as well as you can.
- National Actdumb. Day: Have you ever noticed how quick people are to judge someone who thinks or acts a little differently? National Actdumb. Day flips that habit on its head. It gives space to laugh gently, not cruelly. Folks pause, drop the pressure to be clever, and let themselves relax. Mistakes feel lighter...
- National Shrink Day: National Shrink Day honors the professionals who guide us through tough moments. It shines on therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors who help us sort through thoughts and feelings. People pause to appreciate the deep trust we build with these caregivers. They often bring comfort when we feel lost or overwhelmed. Communities cheer...
- Mawlid al-Nabi: Mawlid al-Nabi is a special day on which Muslims around the world remember and celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It’s a time for reflection as people consider the Prophet's teachings and life. Communities come together in love and devotion, reciting poetry, sharing stories, and giving to the needy...
- Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
- National Childhood Injury Prevention Week: Kids run, jump, explore, and push limits every day. That curiosity brings joy, but also risk. National Childhood Injury Prevention Week speaks to that very balance. It’s a reminder that while we can’t stop every scraped knee, we can prevent many serious injuries. It’s about everyday choices—like buckling a car seat...
- 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...
- Legacy Week: Legacy Week is an exciting time dedicated to celebrating and honoring the contributions of individuals and groups who have made significant impacts in various fields. It often features a mix of engaging events, thoughtful ceremonies, and educational activities. From lively parties and movie nights to solemn memorial services, this week...
- 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...
- Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
- Zero Waste Week: The hope is that raising awareness during Zero Waste Week will draw attention to climate change, helping to create new environmentally conscious habits that will overflow into the other 51 weeks of the year! History of Zero Waste Week For more than 15 years, folks have been celebrating Zero Waste Week as...
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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.
