World Events Today
- The first census of the whole of the United States was conducted today in 1790, the official population count was 3,929,214
- During World War II, the torpedo patrol boat commanded by John F Kennedy was sunk by the Japanese Navy today in 1943, Kennedy was key in saving the majority of the crew
- The Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait started today in 1990, the move triggered the Gulf War
Entertainment Events Today
- The mystery drama movie In the Heat of the Night, based on John Ball’s novel of the same name, was released today in 1967, it won 5 Academy Awards
- The supernatural psychological thriller movie The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis, premiered today in 1999, it was nominated for 6 Academy Awards
- The Duke of Edinburgh made his final solo public appearance, before retiring from public engagements today in 2017, he had made well over 20,000 of them over almost 70 years
Family Events Today
- The French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty, was born today in 1834 in Colmar
- James Butler Hickok, better known as the American Old West legend “Wild Bill” Hickok, died today in 1876 aged 39, he was shot during a poker game in Deadwood
- The actor Peter O’Toole, who starred in many movies, including Lawrence of Arabia and Goodbye Mister Chips, was born today in 1932
Main Event Today
- A warning letter, signed by Albert Einstein, was sent to the United States President Franklin D Roosevelt today in 1939, it influenced the decision to start the Manhattan Project and develop the atomic bomb
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Coloring Book Day