Happy Birthday Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer “Charlie” Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889. He was one of the most popular and successful actors of the silent film era, starring in 82 films, many of which he directed.
This Day in History
Birth of Charles Willson Peale
Artist Charles Willson Peale was born on April 15, 1741, in Chester, Province of Maryland. A prolific artist from the Revolutionary era, he painted more than 1,100 portraits, including several of George Washington.
Founding of the Pan American Union
On April 14, 1890, the United States and several Latin American countries created the Pan American Union to address matters of common interest. This day has since come to be known as the “Day of the Americas” and “Pan American Day.”
Metropolitan Museum of Art
On April 13, 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York City. It’s the largest art museum in the country and second-most visited art museum in the world.
Montauk Point Light
On April 12, 1792, Montauk Point Light was authorized by President George Washington. It was the first lighthouse built in the state of New York and one of the first public works projects of the United States.
Birth of Dean Acheson
Dean Gooderham Acheson was born on April 11, 1893, in Middletown, Connecticut. Serving in the state department for over a decade, he was influential in many of the United States’ World War II and post-war initiatives, including the Lend-Lease Act, Marshall Plan, and NATO.
First Arbor Day is Celebrated
On April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska. Later moved to April 22 to celebrate the holiday’s founder, more than 200 million trees have been planted by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Birth of Eadweard Muybridge
Photographer Eadweard Muybridge was born on April 9, 1830, in Kingston upon the Thames, Surrey, England. Muybridge was a photography pioneer, improving the technology and completing early motion studies on film.
Voyageurs National Park
On April 8, 1975, an Act of Congress officially established Voyageurs National Park. The park preserves and commemorates the thousands of men who paddled their canoes through Canada and Minnesota with their bundles of furs. Not only did they help grow the economy of the area, but they encouraged settlement and opened pathways previously unknown to bring people to the northwest.