April 19

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:

1764 – The English Parliament banned the American colonies from printing paper money.

1775 – The American Revolution began as fighting broke out at Lexington, MA.

1861 – Thaddeus S. C. Lowe sailed 900 miles in nine hours in a hot air balloon from Cincinnati, OH, to Unionville, SC.

1892 – The Duryea gasoline buggy was introduced in the U.S. by Charles and Frank Duryea.

1897 – The first annual Boston Marathon was held. It was the first of its type in the U.S. It was won by New Yorker John J. McDermott in a time of 2:55:10.

1911 – In Grand Rapids, MI, some 4,000 workers waked off their jobs at 35 furniture shops. They stayed out 19 weeks in a strike for better pay and improved working conditions. The Grand Rapids Police Department had a Riot Squad that served to keep the peace.

1917 – Gov. Albert Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force, also known as the Michigan State Constabulary. Public Act 26 reorganized the Constabulary as the permanent, peace-time Michigan State Police on March 26, 1919.

1927 – Ty Tyson provided play by play of the Detroit Tigers game over radio station WWJ in Detroit for the first time. The Tigers scored a 8-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

1933 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation that removed the U.S. from the gold standard.

1939 – Connecticut approved the Bill of Rights for the U.S. Constitution after 148 years.

1951 – General Douglas MacArthur gave his “Old Soldiers” speech before Congress after being relieved by President Harry Truman. In the address General MacArthur said that “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”

1956 – Actress Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The civil ceremony took place on April 18.

1960 – Baseball uniforms began displaying player’s names on their backs.

1967 – Surveyor 3 landed on the moon and began sending photos back to the U.S.

1971 – Russia launched the Salyut into orbit around Earth. It was the first space station.

1971 – Charles Manson was sentenced to death (later commuted life imprisonment) for conspiracy to commit the Tate/LaBianca murders.

1977 – Alex Haley received a special Pulitzer Prize for his book “Roots.”

1982 – NASA named Sally Ride to be first woman astronaut. Guion S. Bluford Jr. was named as the first African-American astronaut.

1982 – The U.S. announced a ban on U.S. tourist and business travel to Cuba.

1987 – In Phoenix, AZ, skydiver Gregory Robertson went into a 200-mph free-fall to save an unconscious colleague 3,500 feet from the ground.

1987 – The last California condor known to be in the wild was captured and placed in a breeding program at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

1987 – “The Simpsons” premiered as a short cartoon called “Good Night” on television’s “The Tracy Ullman Show”.

1988 – Sonny Bono was inaugurated as the Mayor of Palm Springs, CA.

1989 – A giant asteroid passed within 500,000 miles of Earth.

1989 – A gun turret exploded aboard the USS Iowa. 47 sailors were killed.

1990 – The TV show “Wings” debuted.

1991 – Evander Holyfield beat George Foreman in 12 rounds for the heavyweight boxing crown.

1993 – The Branch-Davidian’s compound in Waco, TX, burned to the ground. It was the end of a 51-day standoff between the cult and U.S. federal agents. 86 people were killed including 17 children. Nine of the Branch Davidians escaped the fire.

1994 – A Los Angeles, CA jury awarded Rodney King $3.8 million for the police violation of his civil rights.

1995 – The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK, was destroyed by a bomb. It was the worst bombing on U.S. territory. 168 people were killed including 19 children, and 500 were injured. Timothy McVeigh was found guilty of the bombing on June 2, 1997.

2000 – The Oklahoma City National Memorial was dedicated on the fifth anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma that killed 168 people.

2000 – Oprah Winfrey debuted “O” magazine.

2002 – The movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” debuted in theaters.

2002 – The USS Cole was relaunched. In Yemen, 17 sailors were killed when the ship was attacked by terrorists on October 12, 2000. The attack was blamed on Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network.

2005 – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected to the papacy and became Pope Benedict XVI.

2009 – The TV show “Cake Boss” premiered.

2013 – Boston Marathon bombings suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a shootout with police. His brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured while hiding in a boat inside a backyard in Watertown, MA.

2021 – NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter achieved the first flight on another planet.

BIRTHDAYS:

Elinor Donahue – 88 years old (1937) – Actress (TV’s “Father Knows Best”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, movie “Pretty Woman”)

Alan Price – 83 years old (1942) – Keyboardist (The Animals)

Tim Curry – 79 years old (1946) – Actor (“Stephen King’s It”, “Amadeus”, “The Hunt for Red October”, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”)

Tony Plana – 73 years old (1952) – Actor (TV’s “Ugly Betty”)

Bob Rock – 71 years old (1954) – Record producer (Metallica, Bryan Adams, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi and many others)

Paul Day – 69 years old (1956) – Lead Vocalist (Iron Maiden)

Al Unser Jr. – 63 years old (1962) – Race car driver

Suge Knight – 60 years old (1965) – Record company executive

Bekka Bramlett – 57 years old (1968) – Singer (Fleetwood Mac)

Ashley Judd – 57 years old (1968) – Actress (“DeLovely”, “Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood”, “High Crimes”, “Eye of the Beholder”, “Double Jeopardy”, “Kiss the Girls”)

James Franco – 47 years old (1978) – Actor (“Milk”, “Spider-Man”)

Kate Hudson – 46 years old (1979) – Actress (“Almost Famous”, “Raising Helen”, “Bride Wars”, “You Me and Dupree”, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”, “The Skeleton Key”)

Hayden Christensen – 44 years old (1981) – Actor (“Life as a House,” “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”, “Shattered Glass”)

Catalina Sandino Moreno – 44 years old (1981) – Actress (“Maria Full of Grace”)

Courtland Mead – 38 years old (1987) – Actor (“Dragonworld”, “The Little Rascals”, “Tom and Huck”, “Corrina, Corrina”, TV’s “Kirk”, “Courtland”, “Stephen King’s The Shining”, “The Young and the Restless”)

Maria Sharapova – 38 years old (1987) – Tennis player

TODAY IS:

• Husband Appreciation Day: Married couples know it’s all too easy to take your partner for granted, so take some extra time on Husband Appreciation Day to show some affection to your husband.
• Bicycle Day: Despite the name, Bicycle Day is not about pedal bikes or Queen; it’s a day to recognize the scientific and psychiatric impact of the drug known as LSD.
• National Garlic Day: If you think you have enough garlic, add more. These flavorful bulbs improve just about every dish you could think to put them in, so get cooking!
• Black Saturday: A sacred day in the Philippines of reflection and renewal, honoring a significant event and a time for spiritual connection and unity.
• National Cat Lady Day: Why are cats often compared to women? Perhaps it’s because both can be mysterious, independent, and occasionally unpredictable. National Cat Lady Day celebrates the special bond between women and their feline friends. This day highlights the joy and companionship that cats bring into their owners' lives. It is a time for...
• World Jackal Day: Stealthy creatures of the wild, navigating their habitats with cunning precision, and embodying nature's resilient and adaptable spirit.
• National Hanging Out Day: Help the environment and extend the life of your clothes by line drying. Give it a try, and see if that’s a positive change you could end up making long-term.
• National North Dakota Day: National North Dakota Day celebrates the state's unique qualities and contributions. This day shines a spotlight on North Dakota's stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm-hearted residents. From the vast prairies to the beautiful national parks, the state's natural beauty is breathtaking. It's a day to appreciate the remarkable environment that...
• National Rice Ball Day: This Japanese staple is delicious, adaptable, nutritious and cheap, so choose your favorite way—or a few ways—to dress your Rice Ball, and enjoy the sticky delicacy.
• National Amaretto Day: Mix up a cocktail with Amaretto, or try distilling your own almond-flavored liqueur and toast to the versatile, sweet and bitter, tasty Italian spirit.
• National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day: National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day honors those impacted by the tragic event at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The day pays tribute to the victims, survivors, and the resilient spirit of the community. This solemn occasion offers a time for reflection, unity, and remembrance, allowing people to come...
• National Primrose Day: Blossoming in delicate hues, primrose graces gardens, a testament to nature's subtle beauty and resilience.
• Poetry & The Creative Mind Day: The mind needs creative outlets to be happy and healthy, and that’s the point of Poetry And The Creative Mind Day, when you can let your emotions out in word or art.
• Sylvester the Cat’s Birthday: Sylvester the Cat's Birthday rolls around every year, giving fans a reason to celebrate one of the most beloved characters from the Looney Tunes universe. On this day, many remember Sylvester's joy in their lives, especially the endless chase scenes with Tweety Bird that both amused and endeared him to audiences...
• Humorous Day: Did you know laughter can cool your brain? This fun fact shows how powerful humor is. Finding humor in small things makes everyday life brighter. It turns a regular moment into a joyful memory. Laughing over little things helps us stay positive, even on tough days. So, let yourself laugh...
• Orthodox Holy Saturday: Orthodox Holy Saturday is a deeply symbolic day that follows the sorrow of Good Friday. It represents a powerful moment of waiting and hope. This day honors Jesus' burial yet carries a unique, uplifting promise. Orthodox Christians reflect on Christ’s descent into Hades, where he brings hope to souls and...
• John Parker Day: John Parker Day is a special occasion celebrated every year on April 19. This day honors Captain John Parker, a key figure in the early battles of the American Revolutionary War. It's a day to remember the courage and dedication of those who fought for American independence​​​​. John Parker was a...
• Easter Saturday: Recall the feeling of Easter Saturday, also known as Holy Saturday, which sits quietly between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It's a day of reflection and waiting, marking the end of Lent. People often find peace and a sense of anticipation during this time. This day invites moments of calm...
• 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...
• Passover Begins: Among the most solemn and meaningful observances in the Jewish calendar, Passover marks the beginning of an eight-day journey. This holiday, known as Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. The term "Passover" refers to the divine act of sparing the Israelites during the final plague...
• 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...
• Money Smart Week: Being smart with money isn't just about saving; it's also about making informed decisions and enjoying the process. Money Smart Week offers the perfect opportunity to dive into financial literacy and reconsider financial habits. In its essence, Money Smart Week is a lively event held annually to boost financial literacy...
• 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...
• 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...
• FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
• National Park Week: Say hello to beautiful plants, native wildlife, natural landscapes, and unique terrains because it’s time to celebrate and enjoy National Park Week! History of National Park Week The first National Park Week was celebrated in 1991 when it was declared by US President George H.W. Bush to honor the 75th anniversary...

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