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:
1620 – The Pilgrims left from Plymouth, England, on the Mayflower to settle in the New World.
1819 – Thomas Blanchard patented the lathe.
1835 – The Michigan Militia invaded Toledo. Both Ohio and Michigan claimed the “Toledo Strip”. They found no Ohio troops so went home after five days and thus the “Toledo War” ended. The Strip eventually went to Ohio and Michigan got the Upper Peninsula.
1876 – The Southern Pacific rail line was completed. It stretched from Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA.
1899 – The first can of evaporated milk was processed by Carnation.
1901 – President William McKinley was shot and mortally wounded by Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. McKinley died eight days later. Czolgosz, an unemployed anarchist, was executed the following October.
1909 – American explorer Robert Peary sent word that he had reached the North Pole. He had reached his goal five months earlier.
1916 – The first self-service grocery store, Piggly Wiggly, was opened in Memphis, TN by Clarence Saunders.
1975 – Czechoslovak tennis star Martina Navratilova requested political asylum to remain in the United States. She was in New York, NY for the U.S. Open.
1992 – A 35-year old man, who was the transplant recipient of a baboon liver, died at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 10 weeks after receiving the animal’s organ.
1993 – Renault of France and Volvo of Sweden announced they were merging. Volvo eventually canceled the deal the following December.
1995 – Cal Ripken played his 2,131st consecutive game setting a new record. Lou Gehrig previously held the record for 56 years.
1997 – The Funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales, took place in London. Over a million people lined the streets. It was watched on television by over 2.5 billion people around the world.
2002 – In New York, NY, the U.S. Congress convened at Federal Hall for a rare special session. The session was held in New York to express the nation’s mourning for the loss on September 11, 2001 and unity in the war against terrorism.
2010 – The movie “The King’s Speech” premiered in theaters. It would win Best Picture at the Oscars.
2018 – Amway co-founder and philanthropist Rich DeVos died at the age of 92.
BIRTHDAYS:
Jo Anne Worley – 88 a old (1937) – Actress, comedian (TV’s “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In”)
Roger Waters – 82 a old (1943) – Singer, bassist (Pink Floyd)
Swoosie Kurtz – 81 a old (1944) – Actress (TV’s “Carol and Company”, “Sisters”, “Pushing Daisies”, “Mike & Molly”, movies “Wildcats”, “Dangerous Liaisons”, “Liar Liar”)
Jane Curtin – 78 a old (1947) – Actress, comedian (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”, “Kate & Allie”, “3rd Rock from the Sun”, movie “Coneheads”)
Jeff Foxworthy – 67 a old (1958) – Comedian (“You Might be a Redneck”, TV’s “The Jeff Foxworthy Show”, “Blue Collar” television specials, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”)
Michael Winslow – 67 a old (1958) – Comedian (Played Larvelle Jones in the “Police Academy” films, “Spaceballs”, “Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie”)
Rosie Perez – 61 a old (1964) – Actress (“Do the Right Thing”, “White Men Can’t Jump”, TV’s “The View”)
William DuVall – 58 a old (1967) – Vocalist, rhythm guitarist (Alice in Chains, Comes With The Fall)
Justin Whalin – 51 a old (1974) – Actor (Played Andy Barclay in “Child’s Play 3”, played Jimmy Olsen on TV’s “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”)
TODAY IS:
- National Read a Book Day: Once upon a time, a reader's journey began with a book in hand, and adventures unfolded within its pages. Let your imagination soar with every page turn!
- National Coffee Ice Cream Day: Go get yourself some coffee flavored ice cream, make it at home, or try a delicious affogato: a dollop of ice cream “drowned” in some rich espresso.
- National Color Blind Awareness Day: Embracing a unique perspective, this condition enriches the world with diverse viewpoints, highlighting the beauty of human individuality and resilience.
- National Pet Rock Day: Everyone needs a friend. Find a suitable rock, pick up some craft supplies, and get to work making your own Pet Rock with googly eyes, paint, whatever you like.
- Belarusian Written Language Day:
- Fight Procrastination Day: Set your alarm for earlier, make your to-do list in advance, and prepare to actually tackle some of those pesky things you’ve been procrastinating for so long.
- Great Egg Toss Day:
- Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day:
- National Pastor’s Spouses Day:
- National Grandparents Day: Let's hear it for the wise and experienced elders who dote on their grandchildren, sharing stories of the past and imparting valuable life lessons.
- Unification Day in Bulgaria:
- Crayfish Party:
- Festa do Vinho:
- National Childhood Injury Prevention Week:
- Rtveli:
- National Child Protection Week:
- National Waffle Week:
- Fiesta de San Pacho:
- Navasard:
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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.


1 Comment
This was AWESOME, Scott! Thanks 😀