Army Day
Originally recognized as Army Day from 1928 to 1949 to commemorate the U.S. entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. It was absorbed into Armed Forces Day (observed on the third Saturday in May) starting in 1950. Used to boost recruitment and public support for the military during interwar years and WWII.
Sorry Charlie Day
National Sorry Charlie Day is observed annually on April 6. It encourages individuals to reflect on past rejections and view them as opportunities for growth and resilience. The day draws inspiration from Charlie the Tuna, the mascot of StarKist Tuna, who was humorously rejected in advertisements with the phrase “Sorry, Charlie.” Despite his repeated rejections, Charlie maintained his optimism, embodying the spirit of perseverance. The observance was initiated by Cathy Runyan-Svacina of Kansas City, Missouri, who founded the “Sorry Charlie, No-Fan-Club-for-You Club” in 1992 after experiencing personal rejection. Inspired by Charlie’s resilience, she established National Sorry Charlie Day to promote a positive perspective on rejection and encourage others to embrace setbacks as learning experiences.
Jump Over Things Day
Jump Over Things Day is a lighthearted and quirky celebration observed annually on April 6. While the exact origins of this holiday remain unknown, it has gained popularity as a fun way to encourage physical activity and add a bit of excitement to the day. Jump Over Things Day is all about embracing the joy of jumping over various objects, whether they’re physical barriers like boxes and benches or more imaginative hurdles. The day encourages individuals to engage in simple physical activity by finding objects to jump over, adding a playful twist to daily routines.
April 6th has seen a variety of significant historical events across different eras and fields.
Historical Events
1830 – Founding of the Church of Christ: Joseph Smith officially organized the Church of Christ, which later became known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Fayette, New York.
1862 – Battle of Shiloh Begins: One of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War commenced in Tennessee, resulting in significant casualties on both Union and Confederate sides.
1896 – First Modern Olympic Games: The inaugural modern Olympics opened in Athens, Greece, reviving the ancient tradition after 1,500 years.
1909 – Peary’s North Pole Expedition: American explorer Robert Peary claimed to have reached the North Pole, accompanied by Matthew Henson and four Inuit guides.
1917 – U.S. Enters World War I: The United States formally declared war on Germany, joining the Allied forces in World War I.
1941 – Germany Invades Yugoslavia and Greece: Nazi Germany launched invasions into Yugoslavia and Greece during World War II, expanding the conflict in the Balkans.
1994 – Rwandan Genocide Begins: The assassination of Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana triggered a mass slaughter of ethnic Tutsis, leading to the deaths of up to 1 million people.
Famous Birthdays
1483 – Raphael: Renowned Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance, celebrated for works like “The School of Athens.”
1928 – James D. Watson: American molecular biologist and co-discoverer of the DNA double helix structure, Nobel Prize laureate.
1937 – Merle Haggard: Influential American country music singer-songwriter known for hits like “Okie from Muskogee.”
1955 – Michael Rooker: American actor recognized for roles in films like “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
1963 – Rafael Correa: Economist and politician who served as the President of Ecuador from 2007 to 2017.
1970 – Paul Rudd: American actor and comedian known for roles in “Clueless,” “Ant-Man,” and “Anchorman.”
Notable Deaths
1199 – Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart): King of England famed for his role in the Third Crusade, died from wounds sustained in battle.
1520 – Raphael: The esteemed Italian Renaissance artist passed away on his 37th birthday.
1971 – Igor Stravinsky: Influential Russian composer known for works like “The Rite of Spring,” died in New York City.
1992 – Isaac Asimov: Prolific American science fiction writer and biochemist, author of the “Foundation” series, passed away at age 72.
2014 – Mickey Rooney: Veteran American actor with a career spanning nine decades, known for films like “National Velvet,” died at age 93.
2016 – Merle Haggard: The country music legend died on his 79th birthday.
