This Day in Pop Culture for April 25

Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino act the opposite of smart in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, which opened in theaters on this day in 1997. In real life though, they are pretty smart.

And today is known for two unofficial holidays – Pinhole Photography Day and International DNA Day.

1997: “The Blonde Leading the Blonde”

Miro Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow as Romy and Michele — Miro Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion

Lisa Kudrow has played her share of ditzy blondes from Phoebe on Friends, her twin sister Ursula on Mad About You and Michele in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. But in real life, she’s a smart cookie. Her co-star Mira Sorvino is also pretty bright. Kudrow attended Vassar College and Sorvino went to Harvard University. However, in this movie, they played Romy White and Michele Weinberger, two 28-year-old women who feel they haven’t done much with their lives and want to impress their former friends at their 10-year high school reunion.

Interestingly, the two main characters were taken from the stage play, Ladies Room by Robin Schiff and even NBC had entertained the idea of a sitcom based of these characters calling it Just Temporary in 1999. Directed by David Mirkin, the movie also starred Janeane Garofalo, Camryn Manheim and Alan Cumming

In 2005, ABC Family presented a prequel to the movie called Romy and Michele: In the Beginning and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre premiered a stage version of the original story during the summer of 2017.

2001: Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day

Pinhole photography photos — *(Wikimedia Commons)*

In the 1850’s, it was Sir David Brewster, a Scottish scientist, who came up with the term “pinhole photography” but he wasn’t the only one experimenting with this technique during that time. This type of photography was used to create photos that looked more like paintings. The technique has bounced back and forth in popularity worldwide ever since. The first Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day was held on this day in 2001 which encourages photographers from all over the world to contribute their images to the website, Pinholeday.org. The website even offers information on how to make your own camera and photography tips. (Images: Wikimedia)

Basketball player Chuck Cooper — *(Wikipedia)*

1950: First Player

Chuck Cooper becomes the first African American to be drafted into the NBA.

1901: First Plate

New York becomes the first state to require automobile license plates.

(Wikimedia Commons)

2022: First Change

Elon Musk purchases Twitter for $44 billion. He re-named it “X” in 2023.

1953: International DNA Day

It was on this day in 1953 when scientists James Watson, Francis Crick and company published the double helix structure of DNA in the journal Nature.

In 2003, the U.S. Congress created a one-time celebration of the event, but today, it is celebrated worldwide. In fact, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) takes the lead in organizing celebrations for the day. Universities and scientific organizations routinely jump in with their own events including scientific conferences, educational outreach, online discussions and essay competitions.