We take a look at some of the events that occurred on April 7th.

Today In …

1827 - The first friction match was sold.

1862 - In the Civil War, the Battle of Shiloh ended.

1906 - Mount Vesuvius erupted.

1948 - The United Nations formed the World Health Organization.

1994 - Civil War began in Rwanda.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Tiki Barber and Ronde Barber the twin brothers and star NFL players were born in 1975.

Bill Bellamy the actor/comedian of TV’s “Fastlane” and “Any Given Sunday” was born in 1965.

Jackie Chan the star of “Rush Hour” was born in 1954.

Francis Ford Coppola the man behind the camera for such films as “The Godfather” was born in 1939.

Russell Crowe the Academy Award winning actor of “Gladiator” as well as “A Beautiful Mind” and “L.A. Confidential” was born in 1964.

Tony Dorsett the NFL hall of fame running back was born in 1954.

James “Buster” Douglas former boxing heavyweight champion was born in 1960.

Percy Faith the Oscar nominated band leader was born in 1908.

David Frost the British TV personality was born in 1939.

James Garner star of TV’s “The Rockford Files”, “Maverick” and the film “The Notebook” was born in 1928.

Billie Holiday the renowned jazz singer was born in 1915.

Will Kellogg one of the inventors of Corn Flakes was born in 1860.

John Oates one half of rock music’s Hall & Oates was born in 1949.

Hugh O’Connor from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” and son of actor Carroll O’Connor was born in 1962.

Ian Richardson who starred in “Becoming Jane”, “Brazil” and “Joyeux Noel” was born in 1934.

Andrew Sachs TV and movie actor who portrayed Manuel on the show “Fawlty Towers” was born in 1930.

Jennifer Schwalbach who starred in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and “Clerks II” was born in 1971. Schwalbach is marred to director/actor Kevin Smith.

William Wordsworth poet and writer of “The Prelude” was born in 1770.

We Said Goodbye To…

P.T. Barnum renowned circus entrepreneur and showman passed away in 1891 at the age of 80.

Henry Ford the automotive pioneer passed away in 1947 at the age of 83.

David Graf the actor probably best remembered as Tackleberry from the comedy films “Police Academy” passed away in 2001 at the age of 50.

Walter Huston the award winning actor passed away in 1950 at the age of 66, one day after his birthday.

Dan Tucker famed folklore hero passed away in 1818 at the age of 78.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1956 - On The Country Charts – “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins
1962 -“Johnny Angel” by Shelley Fabares
1973 - "The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence.
1979 - "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
1984 - On The Country Charts – “Don’t Make It Easy For Me” by Earl Thomas Conley
1990 - "Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne
2001 - “Angel” by Shaggy with Rayvon

TV Moments In…

1927 - The first public telecast of image and sound (over a long distance) was broadcast.

Movie Moments In...

1989 - “Major League” starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and Wesley Snipes was released.

Don’t forget about the Today In History Newsletter!

See my reviews on The Notebook and Clerks II.