On This Day – April 14th

What does April 14th mean to you? If you’re not celebrating it in any way, did you know that it’s a remarkable occasion to celebrate patents, medical breakthroughs, and litreature firsts? Keep reading, and we’ll take you through some notable historical moments – as well as let you know which famous people share your birthday!

On this day

1Webster’s Dictionary debuted in the US.

In 1828, Noah Webster registered the copyright for publication of the first American Dictionary, which he had authored. The dictionary, known as Webster’s Dictionary, contained over 70,000 entries and helped to standardize American English spelling and usage!

2Dr. Plotz helped to eradicate typhus.

On this day in 1903, Dr. Harry Plotz discovered the typhus vaccine in New York. Typhus is a potentially fatal bacterial infection spread by fleas and lice, which was particularly prevalent in crowded and unsanitary conditions such as those found in wartime or refugee camps. The vaccine played a crucial role in reducing the spread of the disease – so thanks, Dr. Plotz, for clearing that up!

3The Titanic sank.

On April 14th, 1912, the colossal Titanic cruise collided with an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland and started to sink. The iceberg caused a gash in the Titanic’s hull that was between 220 and 245 feet long – an event which, as we all know, went on to inspire Hollywood scripts! The disaster resulted in the deaths of more than 1,500 people – it’s certainly one of the most horrifying catastrophes at sea.

4Non-skid tires hit the shelves!

On April 14th, 1914, the head of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Stacy G. Carkhuff, patented a non-skid tire pattern. This pattern helped to improve tire grip on the road, reducing accidents and making driving safer! The non-skid pattern is still widely used today in modern tire designs – it’s arguably helping to save millions of lives.

5Steinbeck wrote an all-time great.

April 14th, 1939 saw the publication of “The Grapes of Wrath” for the first time. It’s a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by John Steinbeck, which tells the story of a farming family during the Great Depression in the US – who have to reluctantly leave Oklahoma and travel to California in search of work. The novel is considered a classic of American literature – it’s likely you may have read it for school!

Special Days Falling on April 14th

If dolphins are your favorite mammal and you don’t hate your ex, today is your day to celebrate! Take a look at a few interesting occasions we’ve scoped from our calendar today…

National Dolphin Day

Who doesn’t love dolphins? Really? This holiday helps raise awareness about these beautiful, intelligent mammals – in particular, how we must be mindful of keeping their environment healthy by monitoring toxic waste.

National Ex-Spouse Day

Are you friends with your ex? National Ex-Spouse Day was established in 1987 by Missouri Reverend Ronald Coleman, with the aim of helping end the bitterness frequently associated with divorce. This day is a reminder to maintain a healthy relationship if possible – or, perhaps it’s a good time to visit a divorced friend who may need cheering up!

National Pecan Day

Gotta love a pecan or two! The native nut of the USA takes its name from an Algonquian word which means “a nut needs to be cracked by a stone.” Used in pastries and all kinds of baked goods, they’re super tasty to snack on as-is, too!

This month in history

In April 1865, President Abraham Lincoln and his wife were enjoying a performance of “Our American Cousin” when he was shot from point-blank range by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer. Lincoln suffered a fatal wound to the back of his head – and Booth fled, but was later shot and killed by a Union soldier.

Famous Birthdays on April 14th

• Loretta Lynn, American singer and songwriter, born 1932
• Julie Christie, English actress, born 1941
• Ritchie Blackmore, English musician, born 1945
• Robert Carlyle, British actor, born 1961
• Meg Mallon, American golfer, born 1963