NATIONAL THESAURUS DAY
National Thesaurus Day, on January 18th, honors Peter Mark Roget, the author of Roget’s Thesaurus, who was born on this day in 1779. #NationalThesaurusDay
Memorable Birthdays for January 18
Thomas A. Watson (1854-1934) – Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant who helped with the invention of the telephone.
Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931) – Cardiologist who performed the first open heart surgery.
Oliver Hardy (1892-1957) – Comedian and half of the duo Laurel and Hardy.
Kevin Costner (1955-) – Multi-award winning actor with credits in The Untouchables (1987), Open Range (2003), Black or White (2014), and recently Yellowstone.
Amy Barger (1971-) – Astronomer who discovered dusty galaxies, quasars and supermassive black holes.
Burnie Burns (1973-) – Co-founder of Rooster Teeth Productions, a sub company of Warner Brothers.
Memorable Events for January 18
1644 – Pilgrims report a UFO sighting.
1733 – The first polar bear exhibit is open to the public in MA.
1778 – Captain James Cook stumbles over the Hawaiian Islands and what he referred to as the Sandwich Islands.
1896 – The first demonstration of an X-ray machine is held in NY City.
1903 – The first transatlantic radio transmission in the U.S. is sent by a transmitter in MA.
1916 – A meteorite hits a house in Stone County, MO.
1964 – Plans for World Trade Center announced in NY City.
1993 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is officially observed for the first time in the U.S.
NATIONAL WINNIE THE POOH DAY
National Winnie the Pooh Day on January 18th commemorates author A.A. Milne’s birthday in 1882. He brought the adorable, honey-loving bear to life in his stories, which also featured his son, Christopher Robin. #WinnieThePoohDay
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY
On the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Jr Day honors the American clergyman, activist, Civil Rights Movement leader. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) is best known for his role in advancing civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. King has become a national icon in the history of American progressivism. #MartinLutherKingJrDay
NATIONAL POPCORN DAY
On January 19th, National Popcorn Day pops onto the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night. #NationalPopcornDay
Notable Birthdays for January 19
Sarah Helen Whitman (1803-1878) – Poet and romantic interest of Edgar Allan Poe.
Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) – General of the Confederate Army.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) – Short story writer and considered one of the greatest poets of all time.
Guy Madison (1922-1996) – Actor best remembered for his role as Wild Bill in The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.
Jean Stapleton (1923-2013) – Actress known for her award-winning role as Edith Bunker in All In the Family.
Nicholas Colasanto (1924-1985) – Actor fondly remembered for his funny role as Ernie in Cheers.
Tippi Hedren (1930-) – Model who graced the covers for Life and Glamour magazines.
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (1936-2011) – Musician who made the harmonica a part of mainstream music.
Janis Joplin (1943-1970) – Singer of Me and Bobby McGee and Piece of My Heart.
Dolly Parton (1946-) – Famous country singer.
Paula Deen (1947-) – Chef well-recognized from the Food Network.
Bruce Jay Nelson (1952-1999) – Computer scientist who invented the remote Procedure Call Concept for computer network communications.
Desi Arnaz Jr. (1953-) – Actor and son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Thomas Kinkade (1958-2012) – One of the first artists who successfully mass marketed his works as of his work as printed reproductions.
Memorable Events for January 19
1883 – The first electric lighting system begins service in NJ.
1937 – Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from LA to NY City (7 hours and 28 minutes).
1953 – More than 72% of people in the U.S. tune in to watch Lucy give birth on I Love Lucy.
NATIONAL THESAURUS DAY
National Thesaurus Day, on January 18th, honors Peter Mark Roget, the author of Roget’s Thesaurus, who was born on this day in 1779. #NationalThesaurusDay
Memorable Birthdays for January 18
Thomas A. Watson (1854-1934) – Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant who helped with the invention of the telephone.
Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931) – Cardiologist who performed the first open heart surgery.
Oliver Hardy (1892-1957) – Comedian and half of the duo Laurel and Hardy.
Kevin Costner (1955-) – Multi-award winning actor with credits in The Untouchables (1987), Open Range (2003), Black or White (2014), and recently Yellowstone.
Amy Barger (1971-) – Astronomer who discovered dusty galaxies, quasars and supermassive black holes.
Burnie Burns (1973-) – Co-founder of Rooster Teeth Productions, a sub company of Warner Brothers.
Memorable Events for January 18
1644 – Pilgrims report a UFO sighting.
1733 – The first polar bear exhibit is open to the public in MA.
1778 – Captain James Cook stumbles over the Hawaiian Islands and what he referred to as the Sandwich Islands.
1896 – The first demonstration of an X-ray machine is held in NY City.
1903 – The first transatlantic radio transmission in the U.S. is sent by a transmitter in MA.
1916 – A meteorite hits a house in Stone County, MO.
1964 – Plans for World Trade Center announced in NY City.
1993 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is officially observed for the first time in the U.S.
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 10:30 a.m.)
Where:
Palo Duro High School
Activity Center
1400 North Grant Street
Amarillo, Texas 79107
Point of Contact: Mr. Keith Grays
Phone: 806.672.1547
Keynote Speaker: Commissioner Warren Coble, Potter
County Precinct No. 4
Amarillo Area High Schools are participating through dance and musical performances
Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me for further assistance.
Best regards,
Freda Powell|Treasurer, NAACP Amarillo Branch
|Cell: 806.341.8280|E-mail: fgpowell@suddenlink.net
Freda Powell|Emerita Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member Place 2, City of Amarillo, 2017-2023
|Cell: 806.341.8280|E-mail: fgpowell@suddenlink.net
Freda Powell|Board of Directors 2020-2022, Soroptimist International of The Americas, South Central Region
|Cell: 806.341.8280|E-mail: fgpowell@suddenlink.net
Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
Improving the lives of women and girls…
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Join us every Monday at 7:00pm for Trivia! Specialty Themed once a month (topics vary)
It is time for the 29th annual Amarillo EnterPrize Challenge.
The business plan competition opens in January, and eligible business owners in Potter and Randall counties will have the opportunity to compete for up to $100,000 in growth funding.
To get started, participants must attend one mandatory orientation session, which covers eligibility requirements, program expectations and how to prepare their five-year business plan.
Orientation dates and RSVP details are available at AmarilloEnterPrizeChallenge.
Sign up for an orientation at AmarilloEnterPrizeChallenge.com!
-Adam
NATIONAL DISC JOCKEY DAY
Each year National Disc Jockey Day recognizes the DJs playing the music and spinning the records. The observance takes place annually on January 20th. #NationalDiscJockeyDay
Notable Birthdays January 20th
Harold Gray (1894-1968) – Cartoonist who created Little Orphan Annie.
George Burns (1896-1996) – Beloved actor and comedian.
DeForest Kelley (1920-1999) – Actor best known for his role as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the series Star Trek.
Ray Anthony (1922-Still Living) – Bandleader, trumpeter, and last living band member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.