Today is Saturday, Aug. 9, the 221st day of 2025. There are 144 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On this day in 1945, just three days after the devastating atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, another nuclear device was dropped over Nagasaki by a U.S. B-29 Superfortress. The aftermath of the bombing and the subsequent radiation poisoning tragically claimed the lives of an estimated 74,000 people.
Notable events on this date:
– In 1173, the construction of the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, part of the Pisa Cathedral, commenced.
– Henry David Thoreau’s renowned work “Walden,” detailing his experiences living near Walden Pond in Massachusetts, was first published in 1854.
– Jesse Owens secured his fourth gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, leading the United States to victory in the 400-meter relay.
– In 1969, the shocking murder of actor Sharon Tate and four others at her Los Angeles residence by cult leader Charles Manson and his followers took place.
– Gerald Ford was sworn in as the President of the United States in 1974, succeeding Richard Nixon after his resignation.
– The year 1988 saw the nomination of Lauro Cavazos as the first Hispanic Secretary of Education by President Ronald Reagan.
– In 2014, the fatal shooting of Black teenager Michael Brown Jr. by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked nationwide protests and contributed to the rise of the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
Birthdays on this day:
- – Basketball legend Bob Cousy celebrates his 97th birthday.
- – Tennis great Rod Laver turns 87 today.
- – Jazz musician Jack DeJohnette marks his 83rd birthday.
- – Actor Sam Elliott celebrates his 81st birthday.
- – Singer Barbara Mason turns 78 today.
- – Actor Melanie Griffith is 68 years old.
- – NFL player Doug Williams and actor Amanda Bearse both turn 70 and 67 respectively.
- – Rapper Kurtis Blow celebrates his 66th birthday.
- – Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas turns 65 today.
- – Actor Gillian Anderson and producer-director McG both celebrate their 57th birthdays.
- – Latin rock singer Juanes turns 53 today.
- – Actor Anna Kendrick and Ashley Johnson are 40 and 42 years old respectively.
