World Events Today
- The American inventor Thomas Edison announced the invention of the first phonograph today in 1877
- The White Star liner Britannic became the largest ship lost during World War I, it hit a naval mine near the Greek Island of Kea today in 1916
- Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes made the first manned free balloon flight on the outskirts of Paris today in 1973
Entertainment Events Today
- The Vice President of the United States, Richard Nixon, and the comedian Jack Benny played an impromptu duet at the National Press Club in Washington DC today in 1959
- The first ever Rocky movie, starring the American actor Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, was released today in 1976
- Millions tuned in to find out who shot J.R. in the television soap opera Dallas, today in 1980, it was revealed to be Kristin Shepard, played by Mary Crosby
Family Events Today
- Björk Guðmundsdóttir, better known simply as Björk, the Icelandic singer, was born today in 1965 in Reykjavík
- The American actress Demi Moore married the American actor Bruce Willis, today in 1987 in Las Vegas
- The American actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist David Cassidy died today in 2017 aged 67
Main Event Today
- After 37 years or so as leader of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe resigned from office today in 2017, it was largely due to impeachment proceedings being agreed upon that same day
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Gingerbread Cookie Day