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On this Day August 1

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Celebrity Birthdays

1779 – Attorney and poet Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics to what became America’s national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” (d. 1843)

1819 – Novelist and poet Herman Melville, best known for the literary classic “Moby-Dick” (d. 1891)

1933 – Actor, comedian and chef Dom DeLuise (“Blazing Saddles,” “Silent Movie,” “History of the World: Part I”) (d. 2009)

1942 – Grateful Dead founder and frontman Jerry Garcia (d. 1995)

1953 – Grammy-winning blues guitarist and singer Robert Cray

1963 – Rapper-actor Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey, Jr.

1965 – Oscar and Golden Globe-winning director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “Road to Perdition,” “Jarhead,” “Skyfall”)

1973 – Actress Tempestt Bledsoe, best known as Vanessa Huxtable from “The Cosby Show”

1979 – Actor Jason Momoa (“Baywatch Hawaii,” “Stargate: Atlantis,” “Game of Thrones”)

History Highlights

1941 – The first Jeep is manufactured for the U.S. Army to use in World War II. Known as the Willys MA, the rugged vehicle features a gearshift on the steering column, low side body cutouts, two circular instrument clusters on the dashboard and a hand-brake on the left side.

1957 – The U.S. and Canada establish the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to provide early detection and warning of air attacks on North America.

1961 – The first Six Flags amusement park opens in Arlington, Texas becoming the first theme park to feature log flume and mine train rides. 

1966 – Carnage on the University of Texas campus in Austin, as ex-Marine Charles Whitman opens fire on passersby from the observation deck of the UT tower. Seventeen people, including Whitman, are killed, and 31 others are injured. The attack introduces a stunned nation to the term “mass shooting.”

1996 – American sprinter Michael Johnson breaks the world record in the 200 meters to win gold at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. This came three days after winning the 400 meters, making him the first man in history to win both events at the Olympics.

Musical Milestones

1964 – The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” is No. 1 on the singles chart and stays there for two weeks.

1970 – “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” by the Carpenters, tops the Billboard Hot 100.

1971 – “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” premieres on CBS. The variety show, hosted by husband and wife pop duo Sonny & Cher, runs for three seasons. It returns in 1976 as “The Sonny & Cher Show” following the couple’s divorce.

1981 – Rick Springfield kicks off two weeks as a chart-topper with “Jessie’s Girl.”

1981 – MTV (Music Television) launches with five VJs, or video jockeys, hosting: J.J. Jackson, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Martha Quinn and Alan Hunter. The channel introduces the world to the music video. The first music video played is “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. 

1987 – Bob Seger owns the top spot on the singles chart with “Shakedown,” from the “Beverly Hills Cop II” soundtrack. 

1992 – “Baby Got Back,” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, begins its fifth and final week as a Billboard No. 1.

1998 – Brandy & Monica are No. 1 on the singles chart with “The Boy Is Mine.” The song holds the top spot for 13 weeks.

2009 – The Black Eyed Peas are in the midst of a 14-week domination of the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Gotta Feeling.”

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