We take a look at some of the events that occurred on April 1st.

Today In …

1748 - The ruins of Pompeii were discovered.

1789 - The first Speaker of the House, Frederick Muhlenberg, was elected in Congress.

1864 - Travelers Insurance Company issued the first ever travel insurance policy.

1893 - The rank of Chief Petty Officer was established by the U.S. Navy.

1918 - Britain’s Royal Air Force was officially created.

1924 - Adolf Hitler was sentenced to five years in Landsberg jail for taking part in the Beer Hall Putsch. Although he was released nine months later, Hitler had written much of what would later be known as his book “Mein Kampf”.

1934 - Two police officers in Grapevine, Texas were killed by the legendary outlaws Bonnie & Clyde.

1945 - The invasion of Okinawa during World War II began.

1946 - An earthquake near the Aleutian Islands resulted in a tsunami that struck Hawaii.

1954 - The United States Air Force Academy was established.

1960 - NASA’s first weather satellite was launched.

1967 - The U.S. Department of Transportation began operating.

1970 - The Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act was signed by President Richard M. Nixon. The act, which took effect January 1st, 1971, not only banned TV and radio smoking ads but required companies to print Surgeon General warning labels on all tobacco products.

1976 - Apple Computers was founded.

2002 - The Netherlands became the first country to allow euthanasia. The law allowed doctors to legally euthanize terminally ill patients.

2004 - The Unborn Victims of Violence Act a.k.a. Laci and Conner’s Law was signed by President George W. Bush. The law mandates that a criminal can be charged with two offenses if an attack on a pregnant woman results in the injury or death of the mother and/or unborn child.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Samuel Alito Justice of the United States Supreme Court was born in 1950.

Wallace Beery the Oscar winning actor of “The Champ” and “Grand Hotel” was born in 1885.

Jim Ed Brown singer with the country act The Browns and later a solo artist with the hit song “I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You” with Helen Cornelius was born in 1934.

Lon Chaney the man of 1,000 faces who starred in such memorable films as “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Phantom of the Opera” was born in 1883.

Christian Finnegan actor and comedian from TV’s “Best Week Ever” was born in 1973.

George Grizzard the TV and film actor who appeared in “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Wonder Boys” was born in 1928.

Don Hastings best known as Dr. Bob Hughes on daytime TV’s “As The World Turns” was born in 1934.

Sam Huntington who starred in “Superman Returns” and “Jungle 2 Jungle” was born in 1982.

Rudolph Isley a member of rock music’s Isley Brothers was born in 1939.

Gordon Jump who starred on TV’s “WKRP in Cincinnati” was born in 1932.

Ali McGraw who starred in “Love Story” was born in 1938.

Method Man actor and rap artist with the group Wu-Tang Clan, was born in 1971.

Toshiro Mifune the actor who starred in “Shogun” and “1941” was born in 1920.

Annette O’Toole from TV’s “Smallville” and “Nash Bridges” was born in 1952.

Randy Orton of WWE wrestling fame was born in 1980.

Bijou Phillips who stars in the films “Almost Famous” and “Hostel: Part II” was born in 1980.

Jane Powell the actress who starred in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” was born in 1929.

Debbie Reynolds who starred in “Singin’ in the Rain”, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and lent her voice to the animated “Charlotte’s Web” was born in 1932.

Edgar Wallace author and screenwriter of the movie “King Kong” was born in 1875.

We Said Goodbye To…

Gene Evans who starred on TV’s “My Friend Flicka” passed away in 1998 at the age of 75.

Marvin Gaye the Motown singer of the memorable tune “Let’s Get It On” was killed in 1984 at the age of 44.

Jack Keller the producer and composer of TV’s memorable theme song for the show “Bewitched” passed away in 2005 at the age of 68.

Alan Kulwicki the legendary race car driver was killed in a plane crash in 1993 at the age of 48.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1989 - “Eternal Flame” by the Bangles
2006 - “Temperature” by Sean Paul

TV Moments In…

1963 - One of daytime TV’s favorite soaps “General Hospital” debuted on ABC today!

1963 - Another daytime soap, “The Doctors” also debuted today. It would stay on the air until 1982.

Memorable Sports Moments In…

1931 - Jackie Mitchell became the first female to play professional baseball. She pitched for the Chattanooga Lookouts.

1938 - The Baseball Hall of Fame officially opened in Cooperstown, New York.

1972 - The first ever baseball strike began.

Famous Marriages

1961 - Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye were married today!

Special Observances

Today is April Fool's Day!

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