History & Celebrations Today – April 30

Celebrations Today – April 30

Holidays and observances

Celebrations Today – USA: April 30

National Military Brats Day
National PrepareAthon! Day
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
National Bugs Bunny Day
National Hairstylist Appreciation Day
National Honesty Day
National Kiss of Hope Day
National Oatmeal Cookie Day
National Raisin Day
National Sarcoidosis Day
National Infertility Survival Day – Sunday before Mother’s Day
May National Days
National Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare
International Dance Day
National Viral Video Day
World Wish Day

Today in US History: April 30

Father of Our Country

George Washington
George Washington [detail],
Gilbert Stuart, artist.
Prints & Photographs Online Catalog

On April 30, 1789, George Washington delivered his first inaugural address to a joint session of Congress, assembled in Federal Hall in the nation’s new capital, New York City. The newly-elected president delivered the speech in a deep, low voice that betrayed what one observer called “manifest embarrassment.” Washington had not sought the office of president and was humbled by the request to serve.

Aside from recommending constitutional amendments to satisfy citizens demanding a Bill of Rights, Washington confined his address to generalities. He closed by asking for a “divine blessing” on the American people and their elected representatives. In delivering his address, Washington went beyond the constitutional requirement to take an oath of office and thus established a precedent that has been followed since by every elected president.

Two weeks before his inauguration, Washington had made an emotional speech to the citizens of his hometown, Alexandria, Virginia. He expressed regret at leaving his Mount Vernon estate where he had retired, and stated: “no earthly consideration, short of a conviction of duty, could have prevailed upon me to depart from my resolution,’never more to take any share in transactions of a public nature.'” The reluctant leader served two terms in office.

To learn more about George Washington, explore the following American Memory resources:

Today in History – April 30-External Links

Today’s Weather in History
Today in Earthquake History
This Day in Naval History
Today’s Document from the National Archives
Today’s Events, Births & Deaths –Wikipedia
Today in History by AP
On this Day -1950 to 2005 – Today’s Story–BBC
On This Day: The New York Times
This Day in History –History.com
Today in Canadian History – Canada Channel
History of Britain that took place On This Day
Russia in History –Russiapedia