AUGUST 1 | Birthdays and Events

Notable Birthdays for August 1

William Clark (1770-1838) - Explorer who led the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804.

Francis Scott Key (1779-1873) - American lawyer, poet and composer who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner.

Herman Melville (1819-1891) - Novelist who wrote Moby Dick.

John Friend Mahoney (1889-1957) - Physician who pioneered the treatment of syphilis with penicillin.

Jackie Ormes (1911-1985) - The first Black woman cartoonist and who created the Torchy Brown comic strip.

Ann Calvello (1929-2006) - Professional roller derby racer.

Terry Kiser (1939-Still Living) - Actor who made several appearance over his 50 year acting career, but none more memorable as the character Bernie in the movie Weekend at Bernie's.

Robert James Waller (1939-2017) - Author of The Bridges of Madison County.

Jerry Garcia (1942-1995) - Musician and founder of the rock band Grateful Dead.

Jason Momoa (1979-Still Living) - Actor with credits in Game of Thrones (Drogo), Aquaman, and the recent A Minecraft Movie.

Memorable Events for August 1

1855 - Castle Garden (NY City) opens as first receiving station for immigrants in the U.S.

1876 - Colorado is admitted as the 38th state to join the Union.

1881 - Angel Island (San Francisco Bay, CA) becomes U.S. Quarantine Station to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

1893 - Henry Perky patents shredded wheat.

1911 - Harriet Quimby becomes the first woman in the U.S. to earn an Aero Club of America Aviator Certificate.

1933 - The National Recovery Administration is founded with plans to stimulate the economy during the Depression.

1941 - The first Jeep is produced.

1946 - President Truman established the Atomic Energy Commission.

1961 - Robert McNamara (U.S. Defense Secretary) orders the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency (A centralized military espionage organization).

1981 - MTV begins broadcasting and airs its first video, Video Killed the Radio Star (The Buggles).