1947: The Tony Awards are Presented for the First Time
Bet you didn’t know that a Broadway “Tony” is short for “The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre.” (Perry was the co-founder of the American Theatre Wing) The very first ceremony was held on this day in 1947. Eleven awards were given out for that first ceremony with the prizes consisting of a scroll, cigarette lighter and articles of jewelry. The first Tony medallion wasn’t given out until 1949. Today, there are over 25 categories of awards. Most of them are given for Broadway productions, but one is given for regional theatre as well.
1992: Sorry Charlie Day
Charlie the Tuna has been a mascot for Starkist tuna since 1961. He was created by Tom Rogers of the Leo Burnett advertising agency. In numerous animated commercials for the product, Charlie would try to convince fishermen that he was a fish of good taste but in reality, he didn’t taste good. Over and over again, Charlie would be rejected and the fishermen would send down a note that simply said, “Sorry, Charlie.” Cathy Runyan-Svacina appreciated that no matter how many times he was rejected, Charlie the Tuna continued to find approval and created the Sorry Charlie Day in 1992 which celebrates people who have been rejected and then lived to tell about it. (Image: Star Kist)
Birthdays
- 1937: Merle Haggard (singer)
- 1937: Billy Dee Williams (actor)
- 1947: John Ratzenberger (actor)
- 1952: Marilu Henner (actress)
- 1969: Paul Rudd (actor)
- 1975: Zach Braff (actor)
- 1976: Candace Cameron Bure (actress)
- 1978: Tim Hasselbeck (football player)
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