AUGUST 23, 2024 | FIND YOUR INNER NERD DAY | NATIONAL RIDE THE WIND DAY | NATIONAL CUBAN SANDWICH DAY | NATIONAL SPONGE CAKE DAY
AUGUST 23, 2024 | FIND YOUR INNER NERD DAY | NATIONAL RIDE THE WIND DAY | NATIONAL CUBAN SANDWICH DAY | NATIONAL SPONGE CAKE DAY
FIND YOUR INNER NERD DAY | August 23
FIND YOUR INNER NERD DAY
August 23 is Find Your Inner Nerd Day on the National Day Calendar, and we are sending out an SOS for all inner nerds today! It's time to show the world how amazing our differences are and inspire everyone to embrace our quirkiness by sharing what we love. Read more...
NATIONAL RIDE THE WIND DAY
Enjoy the last days of summer and the warm breezes on August 23 as you celebrate the annual National Ride the Wind Day. Read more...
NATIONAL CUBAN SANDWICH DAY
On August 23, we celebrate a sandwich that originated in Cuba, but grew up in Florida. National Cuban Sandwich Day is a tribute to flavor found in a toasted pressed sandwich. Read more...
NATIONAL SPONGE CAKE DAY
On August 23, enjoy National Sponge Cake Day with the quintessential classic of the cake world. This airy queen of teas is the guest of honor, but we get the pleasure of tasting! Read more...
On Deck for August 24, 2024
National Days
NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY
NATIONAL PEACH PIE DAY
NATIONAL MARYLAND DAY
August 23rd Celebrated History
1305
King Edward I of England has the Scottish revolutionary, William Wallace, executed. Wallace was hung and then disemboweled, beheaded, and quartered.
1617
London establishes the first one-way street.
1859
The Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City opens and is the first American hotel to include a passenger elevator.
1889
The message "Sherman is sighted" is the first ship-to-shore message sent by wireless.
1902
Fannie Farmer opens the Miss Farmer's School of Cookery. She was also a cookbook author and proponent of standard measures in cooking
1904
Harry D. Weed patents "Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires" making traveling icy roads less hazardous. That same year he establishes the Weed Chain Tire Grip Company.
1918
Frank King's comic strip, Gasoline Alley, premieres in the Chicago Tribune.
1929
Anne Morrow flies solo for the first time, only months after marrying Charles Lindbergh.
1946
The Big Sleep starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall is released.
1955
Hail pummels the small town of Rushmore, Minnesota. The thunderstorm dumped hail a foot deep on the Nobels County town.
1963
The Beatles release their single "She Loves You" from their Twist and Shout album in the United Kingdom.
1966
NASA's Lunar Orbiter 1 captures the first photograph of Earth from the Moon's orbit.
1973
A bank robbery went wrong in Stockholm, Sweden, leading to a hostage crisis. The drawn-out event lasted five days. During that time, the hostages begin to sympathize with their jailers. This phenomenon becomes known as "Stockholm syndrome."
1977
The Gossamer Condor 2 flew the first man-powered flight for at least 1 mile.
1998
The sitcom, That 70's Show premiered its first episode.
August 23rd Celebrated Birthdays
Louis XVI - 1774
Born Louis Auguste, he took the French throne at the age of 20 after the death of his grandfather, Louis XV. His policies created insurmountable debt for the country which would eventually lead to the French Revolution.
Sarah Frances Whiting - 1847
The first director of the Whitin Observatory, Whiting taught astronomy and physics at Wellesley College.
Edgar Lee Masters - 1869
The author of more than 30 books and plays is best known for his work, Spoon River Anthology.
Will Cuppy - 1884
Combining dry wit with a little bit of fact, the American humorist and journalist commented on nature and historical personalities.
Grace Chu - 1899
Also known as Madame Chu, the cooking enthusiast began hosting cooking classes in her home while her husband was posted at the U.S. Embassy. She would later continue the courses and become a U.S. citizen. Chu also published two popular books on Chinese cooking.
Ernie Bushmiller - 1905
Best known for his comic strip, Nancy, the artist once thought he couldn't draw.
Hannah Frank - 1908
The Art Nouveau artist is best known for her black and white drawings and sculptures.
Gene Kelly - 1912
The talented singer, dancer and actor starred alongside Judy Garland, Debbie Reynolds, Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and Spencer Tracy to name a few.
Barbara Eden - 1931
Eden co-starred in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie alongside Larry Hagman. During her career, Eden made more than 90 appearances on film and television.
Keith Moon - 1946
Best known as the drummer for The Who, Moon also played several roles in film.
Shelley Long - 1949
The actor is best known for her role as Diane Chambers in the sitcom Cheers.
River Phoenix - 1970
Before his tragic death, the talented young actor appeared in several films including Stand by Me, Running on Empty, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and My Own Private Idaho.
Kobe Bryant - 1978
Drafted into the NBA in 1996, Bryant would go on to an All-Star career with the L.A. Lakers. In January 2020, he was tragically killed in a helicopter accident.
Natalie Coughlin - 1982
The 12-time Olympic medalist is a powerhouse swimmer who started her swimming career at the age of 6.