We take a look at some of the events that occurred on April 13th.

Today In …

1902 - The first J.C. Penney store was opened by its founder, James C. Penney, in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

1943 - Harold Brest, James Boarman, Floyd Hamilton and Fred Hunter made one of the final attempts to escape out of Alcatraz. The attempt was unsuccessful.

1943 - The Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. The event also marked Thomas Jefferson’s 200th birthday.

1970 -An explosion occurred onboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft.

1980 - “Grease”, one of Broadway’s longest running musicals, came to an end.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Don Adams the actor/comedian who starred on TV’s “Get Smart” and voiced the animated character Inspector Gadget was born in 1923.

Jonathan Brandis who starred on TV’s “Seaquest DSV” and in the movie “Fatal Attraction” was born in 1976.

Jack Casady a member of the legendary rock band Jefferson Airplane was born in 1944.

Butch Cassidy the Old West outlaw was born in 1866.

Beverley Cross the playwright/screenwriter whose credits include “Clash of the Titans” and “Jason and the Argonauts” was born in 1931.

Jimmy Destri who played keyboards for the band Blondie, was born in 1954.

Tony Dow best known as Wally from TV’s “Leave It to Beaver” was born in 1945.

Al Green the singer of the hit song “Let’s Stay Together” was born in 1946.

Thomas Jefferson the 3rd President of the United States was born in 1743.

Howard Keel who starred in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and on TV’s “Dallas” was born in 1919.

Terry Lester who starred in such films as “Airport” and on TV’s “The Young and the Restless” was born in 1950.

Aaron Lewis lead singer of the band Staind was born in 1972.

Madalyn O’Hair the atheist activist was born in 1919.

Ron Perlman who starred on TV’s “Beauty and the Beast” and in the films “Hellboy” and “Enemy at the Gates” was born in 1950.

Caroline Rhea comedienne/former TV talk show host and actress who starred on TV’s “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” was born in 1964.

William Sadler who starred in “Shawshank Redemption”, “Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight” and on TV’s “Roswell” was born in 1950.

Rick Schroder who starred on TV’s “Silver Spoons” and “NYPD Blue” was born in 1970.

Hillel Slovak former guitarist for the band Red Hot Chili Peppers was born in 1962.

Paul Sorvino who starred in the film “Romeo & Juliet” and on TV’s “Law & Order” was born in 1939.

Lyle Waggoner who starred on TV’s “The Carol Burnett Show” and “Wonder Woman” was born in 1935.

Robert Watson-Watt was born in 1892. He helped to invent what we now know as radar!

Max Weinberg band leader for “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” was born in 1951.

Frank Woolworth the businessman who founded Woolworths department stores was born in 1852.

We Said Goodbye To…

Ritchie Cordell the songwriter of the memorable tunes “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”, “I Think We’re Alone Now”, “I Want Candy” and “Mony Mony” passed away in 2004 at the age of 61.

Elwood Haynes passed away in 1925 at the age of 67. Haynes was one of the first inventors of the automobiles powered by gasoline.

Johnnie Johnson the famed blues musician passed away in 2005 at the age of 80.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1959 - “Come Softly To Me” by the Fleetwoods
1959 - On The Country Charts – “White Lightning” by George Jones
1968 - “Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro
1974 - “Bennie & The Jets” by Elton John
1985 - “We Are The World” by USA for Africa
1985 - On The Country Charts – “Honor Bound” by Earl Thomas Conley
1991 - “I’ve Been Thinking About You” by Londonbeat
1991 - On The Country Charts – “Down Home” by Alabama
1996 - On The Country Charts – “No News” by Lonestar

TV Moments In…

1985 - The Grand Ole Opry was telecast live for the very first time on the TNN Network.

Movie Moments In...

1939 - “Wuthering Heights” starring Sir Laurence Olivier premiered.

Memorable Sports Moments In…

1954 - The legendary Hank Aaron made his major league baseball debut. His was with the Milwaukee Braves.

1997 - Tiger Woods became the youngest person to ever win the PGA’s Masters in Augusta, Georgia.

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