On This Day August 25th

 OTD 

August 25th is the 235th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 128 days remain until the end of the year.

Events

1537 – The Honorable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army and the second most senior, is formed.

1543 – António Mota and a few companions become the first Europeans to visit Japan.

1609 – Galileo Galilei demonstrated his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.

1814 – War of 1812: On the second day of the Burning of Washington, British troops torched the Library of Congress, United States Treasury, Department of War, and other public buildings.

1835 – The first Great Moon Hoax article is published in The New York Sun, announcing the discovery of life and civilization on the Moon.

1894 – Kitasato Shibasaburō discovers the infectious agent of the bubonic plague and publishes his findings in The Lancet.

1914 – World War I: The library of the Catholic University of Leuven was deliberately destroyed by the German Army. Hundreds of thousands of irreplaceable volumes and Gothic and Renaissance manuscripts are lost.

1944 – World War II: Paris is liberated by the Allies.

1981 – Voyager 2 spacecraft makes its closest approach to Saturn.

2003 – NASA successfully launches the Spitzer Space Telescope into space.


Birthdays

1561 – Philippe van Lansberge, Dutch astronomer and mathematician (d. 1632)

1741 – Karl Friedrich Bahrdt, German theologian and author (d. 1792)

1793 – John Neal, American writer, critic, editor, lecturer, and activist (d. 1876)

1796 – James Lick, American carpenter and piano builder (d. 1876)

1869 – Tom Kiely, British-Irish decathlete (d. 1951)

1912 – Erich Honecker, German politician (d. 1994)

1918 – Leonard Bernstein, American pianist, composer, and conductor (d. 1990)

1927 – Althea Gibson, American tennis player and golfer (d. 2003)

1930 – Sean Connery, Scottish actor and producer (d. 2020)

1931 – Regis Philbin, American actor and television host (d. 2020)

1954 – Elvis Costello, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer.

1972 – Marvin Harrison, American football player.


Holidays and Observances

The United States National Park Service’s Birthday

The American National Park system encompasses a network of protected natural, cultural, and historical areas managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Initially centered on preserving natural wonders like Yellowstone, the system's mission has expanded to safeguard cultural heritage and foster public understanding. Exotic parks such as Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, and Everglades offer diverse ecosystems and geological marvels.

While attendance varies, some, like the Great Smoky Mountains, welcome over 10 million visitors annually. These parks have significant impacts on the public. They provide outdoor recreation and education avenues, nurturing a deep connection to nature and mental well-being. The parks contribute to scientific research, conserve biodiversity, and protect ecosystems. Economically, they stimulate tourism and bolster local economies. As symbols of national pride, these parks offer citizens and tourists alike a chance to explore the country's rich natural and historical tapestry, promoting a sense of identity and appreciation for the environment.


Others Include

Uruguay Independence Day

National Whiskey Sour Day

Kiss and Make-Up Day

National Banana Split Day

National Secondhand Wardrobe Day


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