Today is Sunday, Aug. 3, the 215th day of 2025. There are 150 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On August 3, 2019, a tragic event unfolded as a gunman opened fire at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, resulting in the deaths of 23 individuals. The gunman later confessed to targeting “Mexicans” and had shared his intentions online prior to the attack.
Also on this date:
In 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on his historic journey from Palos, Spain, setting sail for the Americas.
In 1852, Harvard emerged victorious over Yale in America’s first intercollegiate sporting event, the Harvard-Yale Regatta.
In 1916, Roger Casement, a British diplomat advocating for Irish independence, was executed for treason.
In 1936, Jesse Owens of the United States secured the first of his four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics by winning the 100-meter sprint.
In 1972, the U.S. Senate ratified the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with the Soviet Union.
In 1977, the TRS-80, one of the earliest home computers, was introduced by the Tandy Corporation.
In 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers initiated a strike for better pay and working conditions, leading to President Ronald Reagan dismissing over 11,000 union members and banning them from federal employment.
In 2004, the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty reopened to visitors following the 9/11 attacks.
In 2018, the investigation into the tragic shooting at a Las Vegas music festival in 2017, which claimed 58 lives, concluded without a definitive motive for the perpetrator’s actions.
In 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faced allegations of sexual harassment, prompting calls for his resignation, including pressure from President Joe Biden. (Cuomo eventually resigned a week later.)
Today’s Birthdays:
- Marv Levy, Football Hall of Fame coach, celebrates his 100th birthday.
- Martin Sheen, renowned actor, turns 85 today.
- Lance Alworth, Football Hall of Famer, also marks his 85th birthday.
- Martha Stewart, lifestyle guru, celebrates her 84th birthday.
- John Landis, acclaimed film director, turns 75.
- JoMarie Payton, known for TV show “Family Matters,” celebrates her 75th birthday.
- Marcel Dionne, Hockey Hall of Famer, turns 74.
- John C. McGinley, actor, celebrates his 66th birthday.
- James Hetfield, rock singer/guitarist from Metallica, turns 62.
- Lisa Ann Walter, known for TV show “Abbott Elementary,” celebrates her 62nd birthday.
- Stephen Carpenter, rock musician from Deftones, turns 55.
- Tom Brady, former NFL quarterback, celebrates his 48th birthday.
- Evangeline Lilly, actress, turns 46.
- Ryan Lochte, Olympic swimming gold medalist, celebrates his 41st birthday.
- Karlie Kloss, model, turns 33.
