April 13

Scott Winters April 13, 2025 0 Comments

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:

1782 – Washington, NC, was incorporated as the first town to be named for George Washington.

1796 – The first elephant to arrive in the United States came from Bengal, India.

1808 – William “Juda” Henry Lane perfected the tap dance.

1860 – The first mail was delivered via Pony Express when a westbound rider arrived in Sacremento, CA from St. Joseph, MO.

1861 – After 34 hours of bombardment, the Union-held Fort Sumter surrendered to Confederates.

1870 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York, NY.

1902 – James C. Penney opened his first store in Kemmerer, WY.

1916 – The first hybrid, seed corn was purchased for 15 cents a bushel by Samuel Ramsay.

1933 – The first flight over Mount Everest was completed by Lord Clydesdale.

1941 – It was a warm spring day in Michigan. Temperatures reached the 80s across lower Michigan. Record highs were set in Detroit (at 87°) and Lansing (at 82°). Grand Rapids set a record high temperature when the thermometer hit 80°.

1942 – A German U-Boat was sunk off the coast of North Carolina.

1943 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, on the 200th anniversary of President Thomas Jefferson’s birth.

1949 – Philip S. Hench and associates announced that cortizone was an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

1954 – Baseball player Hank Aaron debuted with the Milwaukee Braves.

1954 – Ernie Harwell made his debut as the announcer for the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, MI.

1960 – The first navigational satellite, Transit 1-B, was launched into Earth’s orbit.

1962 – In the U.S., major steel companies rescinded announced price increases. The John F. Kennedy administration had been applying pressure against the price increases.

1963 – Baseball player Pete Rose, of the Cincinnati Reds, got his first hit in the major leagues.

1964 – Sidney Poitier became the first black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor. It was for his role in the movie “Lilies of the Field.”

1970 – An oxygen tank aboard Apollo 13 exploded, putting the crew in great danger and causing major damage to the spacecraft while en route to the Moon. The explosion prevented a planned Moon landing.

1972 – The first player strike in the history of major league baseball ended. Players had walked off the field 13 days earlier.

1974 – Western Union, in cooperation with NASA and Hughes Aircraft, launched the United States’ first commercial geosynchronous communications satellite, Westar 1.

1976 – The U.S. Treasury Department reintroduced the two-dollar bill as a Federal Reserve Note on Thomas Jefferson’s 233rd birthday as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration.

1979 – The world’s longest doubles ping-pong match ended after 101 hours.

1981 – Washington Post reporter Janet Cooke received a Pulitzer Prize for her feature about an 8-year-old heroin addict named “Jimmy.” Cooke relinquished the prize two days later after admitting she had fabricated the story.

1985 – The single “We Are the World” hit #1 in the U.S.

1985 – “The Grand Ole Opry” debuted on television.

1992 – The Great Chicago Flood devastated much of central Chicago, IL.

1997 – Tiger Woods became the youngest person to win the Masters Tournament at the age of 21. He also set a record when he finished at 18 under par.

1998 – NationsBank and BankAmerica announced a $62.5 billion merger, creating the country’s first coast-to-coast bank.

1998 – Dolly, the world’s first cloned sheep, gave natural birth to a healthy baby lamb.

1998 – The television show “The Love Boat” sets sail again, with Robert Urich (replacing Gavin MacLeod) at the helm as Captain Jim Kennedy III.

1999 – In Pontiac, MI, Jack Kervorkian was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Thomas Youk. Youk’s assisted suicide was videotaped and shown on “60 Minutes” in 1998.

2000 – Richard Gordon was charged with trying to extort $250,000 from comedian Louie Anderson in exchange for not telling the tabloid media about Anderson once asking him for sex. Gordon was held without bail pending a court hearing.

2000 – Metallica filed suit against Napster, the University of Southern California, Yale University and Indiana University for copyright infringement, unlawful use of digital audio interface device and violations of the Racketeering Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

2005 – American terrorist Eric Rudolph pleaded guilty to the bombings at the 1996 Olympics, a gay club and a family planning clinic in Atlanta, GA, and an abortion clinic in Birmingham, AL. Rudolph was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences.

2020 – The U.S. Treasury Department began sending out $1,200 stimulus checks that were part of President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 CARES Act.

2021 – Voice actor Hank Azaria apologized for voicing Indian character Apu on “The Simpsons” for 30 years.

BIRTHDAYS:

Edward Fox – 88 years old (1937) – Actor (“The Big Sleep”, “Portrait of a Lady”, “The Day of the Jackal”)

Bill Conti – 83 years old (1942) – Composer (“Rocky” and four of its sequels, “For Your Eyes Only”, “Dynasty”, “The Right Stuff”)

Jack Casady – 81 years old (1944) – Bass guitarist (Jefferson Airplane)

Al Green – 79 years old (1946) – Singer, songwriter (“Let’s Stay Together”)

Ron Perlman – 75 years old (1950) – Actor (TV’s “Beauty and the Beast”)

Peabo Bryson – 74 years old (1951) – Singer

Max Weinberg – 74 years old (1951) – Drummer (E Street Band, His Max Weinberg 7 and Max Weinberg and “The Tonight Show Band” served as Conan O’Brien’s TV house bands 1993-2010)

Jimmy Destri – 71 years old (1954) – Keyboardist (Blondie)

Gary Kroeger – 68 years old (1957) – Actor (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”)

Saundra Santiago – 68 years old (1957) – Actress (TV’s “Miami Vice”)

Garry Kasparov – 62 years old (1963) – Chess champion

Page Hannah – 61 years old (1964) – Actress (“On the Right Track”)

Davis Love III – 61 years old (1964) – Golfer

Caroline Rhea – 57 years old (1968) – Actress, comedian (TV’s “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”)

Rick Schroder – 55 years old (1970) – Actor (TV’s “Silver Spoons”, “NYPD Blue”, “Strong Medicine”, movie “The Champ”)

Bokeem Woodbine – 52 years old (1973) – Actor (“Ray”, “Almost Heroes”, “Jason’s Lyric”)

Lou Bega – 50 years old (1975) – Singer (“Mambo No. 5”)

Courtney Peldon – 44 years old (1981) – Actress (TV’s “Home Improvement”, “Boston Public”)

TODAY IS:

National Scrabble Day: Put the phones away, break out a board, grab some friends or family and engage in one of the world’s most popular word games on National Scrabble Day.
National Peach Cobbler Day: A warm and sweet dessert, filled with the goodness of fresh fruit and topped with a crisp crust — the perfect treat!
National Thomas Jefferson Day: Say “Happy Birthday” to Thomas Jefferson by digging into his biography and history, and learning about the contributions he made as a founding father.
National Make Lunch Count Day: Taking a lunch break can help increase productivity, creativity, and mental well-being — step away from work, enjoy your meal, and recharge!
National Borinqueneers Day: National Borinqueneers Day honors the brave Puerto Rican soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment. Known as the Borinqueneers, these men served valiantly in various conflicts, including the Korean War. Their dedication and courage earned them numerous accolades, such as the Congressional Gold Medal. This day highlights the significant contributions of...
International FND Awareness Day: Learn and raise awareness about FND, or Functional Neurological Disorder, a poorly understood and rarely talked about disorder affecting many.
National Anthem Day in Brazil: National Anthem Day in Brazil celebrates more than just a song. It honors a melody that has stirred the hearts of Brazilians for generations. The anthem, with its powerful words and moving music, represents the nation’s spirit and unity. When citizens sing it, they feel a deep connection to their...
Discover National Parks Fortnight: Discover National Parks Fortnight invites everyone to join in on an adventure - exploring the stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of national parks. This fantastic outdoor-themed event spans two weeks each year. This period is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors and appreciate the environmental treasures within...
Orthodox Holy Week: Orthodox Holy Week is a deep and meaningful journey leading up to Easter, which celebrates Christ's resurrection. This sacred week starts with Palm Sunday, marking Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, greeted as a king. Each day then carries unique themes and moments of reflection. Early in the week, the parable of...
Community Garden Week: Community Garden Week comes around each year vibrant spring flowers begin to light up the landscape. This special week-long observation highlights the many worthy community and school gardens that dot our landscapes. These gardening efforts do more than add beauty (although they undoubtedly do!). Indeed, they serve as hubs for...
Semana Santa: Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a profound time of reflection and devotion in many Christian communities. Streets come alive with solemn processions, participants carry religious icons, and traditional music fills the air. This period focuses on the final days of Jesus Christ, drawing believers together in shared faith and contemplation...
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
The Masters Tournament: Golf's elite gather, showcasing unparalleled skill and sportsmanship in a prestigious event that captivates fans worldwide.
Blue Ribbon Week: Blue Ribbon Week is a time dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse, symbolized by the blue ribbon. Across communities, people come together to support efforts that protect children from harm. During this week, the focus shifts to understanding the serious impact of abuse and neglect, which often goes unnoticed...
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: From 9-1-1 emergency call operators and alarm systems to answering other non-emergency forms of communication such as texts, emails and social media contacts, public safety telecommunicators have a lot on the line every day when they show up for work! As technology rapidly advances and evolves, so do the opportunities for...
World Music Therapy Week: Helping people of all ages accomplish individualized goals, music therapy is a healthcare process that can take all sorts of forms based on the needs of the client. Approaches might include making music, listening to music, writing songs, improvisation, group discussion, or even meditation. Trained therapists use different forms of...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
National Public Health Week: The well-being of communities — disease prevention, and better living through knowledge and action, towards a healthier world.
Songkran Festival: Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year festival, is a vibrant celebration filled with energy and joy. It’s famous for its water-splashing activities, where people playfully drench each other in the streets using buckets, hoses, and water guns. This act symbolizes a fresh start and the washing away of misfortune, allowing everyone...