What’s Happening Today?

Earth Day. Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network)[1] including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

In God We Trust Day (USA). On April 22, 1864, Congress passed an act allowing for "In God We Trust" to begin appearing on U.S. coins. That same year it appeared on the newly minted two-cent piece and was soon used on other coins. On March 3, 1865, an act instructed the U.S. Mint to put it on all gold and silver coins. The Coinage Act of 1873 said it could be emblazoned on other coins as well. From 1864 until 1938 it appeared on various coins for different periods of time. Since 1938 it has appeared on all coins. It has been on the penny since 1909, the dime since 1916, and on all gold coins, silver dollars, half dollars, and quarter-dollar coins since 1908. It is also the official motto of the United States.

What Happened Today?

1. In 1952, for the first time in history, viewers witnessed live the detonation of an atomic bomb at the U.S. testing site in Yucca Flat, Nevada on Television, The Atomic bomb tested was larger than those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II.

2. In1980, a bloody military coup in Liberia took place. Following a military coup by Sergeant Samuel Doe, a number of leading officials including former cabinet ministers of the ousted government which was led by William Tolbert were publicly executed on the orders of the new military regime.

3. In 1997, after a 126-day siege of the Japanese embassy in Peru by Tupac Amaru rebels, Peruvian troops stormed the embassy and freed all but one of 72 hostages held inside, ending a four-month siege of the building.

Birthdays

1. 1982 – Kaka, retired Brazilian attacking football midfielder and former winner of the Ballon D’or in 2007.

2. 1987 – David Luiz, Brazilian football defender who plays for Arsenal FC in England.

Sources: Wikipedia, checkiday & thepeoplehistory.com

Internet photo