September 16th Fun Facts, Trivia and History |
September 16th History Highlights |
The Great Seal of the United States |
Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, designed the 1782 seal to symbolize our country’s strength, unity, and independence. The olive branch and the arrows held in the eagle’s talons denote the power of peace and war. The eagle always casts its gaze toward the olive branch signifying that our nation desires to pursue peace but stands ready to defend itself. The shield, or escutcheon, is “born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue,” Thomson explained in his original report. The seal shares symbolism with the colors of the American flag. In addition, the number 13 — denoting the 13 original states — is represented in the bundle of arrows, the stripes of the shield, and the stars of the constellation. The constellation of stars symbolizes a new nation taking its place among other sovereign states. The motto “E Pluribus Unum” emblazoned across the scroll and clenched in the eagle’s beak expresses the union of the 13 States. |
September 16th is… |
American Legion Day Collect Rocks Day Guacamole Day Mayflower Day Play-Doh Day Step Family Day Working Parents Day World Play-Doh Day |
A Quick History of Play-Doh |
How did something like Play-Doh come about, and what made it a household name? Interestingly, the Play-Doh we know of today was created for a very different purpose. It was supposed to be a wallpaper cleaner that a company created in the 1930s. Cleo McVicker, who owned the Ohio-based company, and his brother Noah came up with an unexpectedly flexible formula. What resulted from the compound was clay-like material, which was non-toxic in nature and also malleable. Surprisingly, this formula kept the company on the face of the earth for the next two decades. In 1956, the Rainbow Crafts Company started making the product and reduced the salt content in 1957, which helped keep the color when drying out. Also in 1957, they began advertising on Children’s television programs which helped make it a household ‘must have’ item. The salty, soft and colorful clay is now considered one of the most iconic toys in history. Initially, the mascot was Play-Doh Pixie, who was replaced by Play-Doh Pete, then a baseball cap, and now the Play-Dohs. Now owned by Hasbro, Play-Doh is composed of water, a starch-based binder, a retrogradation inhibitor, salt, lubricant, surfactant, preservative, hardener, humectant, fragrance, and color. |
September 16th Birthday Quotes |
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” “Life happens. Adapt. Embrace change, and make the most of everything that comes your way.” “I say it every day – I’m the luckiest man on earth.” “I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that.” “Everyone said that if you want to be a real actor, go to New York. If you want to sell out, go to L.A. And I thought, ‘I want to sell out’!” “I don’t mind getting punched in the nose by a guy standing in front of me. It’s getting stabbed in the back that I can’t handle.” |
September 16th Birthdays |
1846 – Anna Kingsford, English author, poet and activist (died in 1888) 1877 – Jacob Schick, American-Canadian inventor, founded Schick Razors (died in 1937) 1898 – H.A. Rey, American author, and illustrator, co-created Curious George (died in 1977) 1924 – Lauren Bacall, American actress (died in 2014) 1925 – Charlie Byrd, American singer, and guitarist (died in 1999) 1925 – B.B. King, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died in 2015) 1927 – Peter Falk, American actor (died in 2011 1944 – Betty Kelly, American soul/R&B singer, Vandella 1949 – Ed Begley Jr., American actor 1952 – Mickey Rourke, American actor 1954 – Earl Klugh, American guitarist 1956 – David Copperfield, American magician 1958 – Jennifer Tilly, American actress, and champion poker player 1960 – Mike Mignola, American comic book author, and illustrator, Hellboy 1964 – Molly Shannon, American comedic actress 1968 – Marc Anthony, American singer-songwriter 1981 – Alexis Bledel, American actress 1988 – Teddy Geiger, American singer-songwriter 1992 – Nick Jonas, American singer-songwriter |
September 16th History |
1620 – The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, with 102 Pilgrims. 1630 – The Massachusetts village of Shawmut changed its name to Boston. 1908 – William C. Durant. founded General Motors. 1953 – 20th Century-Fox released The Robe, using its new wide-screen stereophonic film process. 1964 – Shindig (a pop music show) premiered on ABC. 1972 – #1 Hit September 16, 1972 – September 22, 1972: Three Dog Night – Black and White 1972 – The Bob Newhart Show debuted on CBS 1974 – President Ford announced a conditional amnesty for Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders. 1977 – Marc Bolan (of T. Rex fame) died in an auto crash 1984 – ER premiered on CBS 1989 – #1 Hit September 16, 1989 – September 22, 1989: Gloria Estefan – Don’t Wanna Lose You 1992 – FCC voted to allow competition for local phone service. 1996- The jackpot wedge appeared for the first time on Wheel Of Fortune 2000 – #1 Hit September 16, 2000 – October 13, 2000: Madonna – Music September 16, 2016 – The Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were released. #1 Hit September 16, 2017 – October 6, 2017: Taylor Swift – Look What You Made Me Do |
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts |
“That’s screaming! A good many dramatic situations begin with screaming.” Barbarella (Jane Fonda) #moviequotes Chk-chka-chkaaaa! #songlyrics Is the Eye of Sauron the left or the right one? Barry Manilow wrote State Farm’s “Like a Good Neighbor” jingle. Aunt Jemima pancake flour, invented in 1889, was the first ready-mix food to be sold commercially. Notice the big letter on the face of the dollar bill? Each letter represents which Federal Reserve Bank printed it! “L” is for San Fransisco The Code of Hammurabi decreed that bartenders who watered down beer would be executed. A group of Winds is called a Break. When watching a movie I always sit there thinking ‘I wonder what I’m doing right now in that movie universe?’ “give me the meatballs and eat my bowl” #misunderstoodlyrics A group of Finches is called a Charm. Fly East or West, and you can control day and night. Fly North or South, and you can control the seasons. “Come play with us, Danny.” – Grady Twins in The Shining #moviequotes |
More Pop Culture History Resources |
