Shauna Wright

Saying something only happens “once in a blue moon” typically means it’s extremely rare. True blue moons — defined as the second full moon in a month — aren’t actually that uncommon, but if you don’t catch the one on Aug. 31, it’ll be three years before you get another chance.

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Paul Reubens Age: 60 Occupation: Actor and Comedian Known For: His signature character Pee-wee Herman, roles in TV shows such as ’30 Rock’ and in films like ‘Blow,’ and maintaining a healthy sense of humor after a ridiculous 1991 arrest for indecent exposure in a porn theater

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1813 – French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte defeats a larger force of Austrians, Russians, and Prussians at the Battle of Dresden (More info) 1859 – Petroleum is discovered in Titusville, Penn., leading to the world’s first commercially successful oil well (More info)

1920 – The 19th amendment to the Constitution takes effect, giving women the right to vote (More info) 1939 – The first televised Major League Baseball game is broadcast (More info)

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Macaulay Culkin Age: 32 Occupation: Actor Known For: Starring in the classic holiday movies ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Home Alone 2,’ a previous engagement to actress Mila Kunis, and a close friendship with the late Michael Jackson

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1718 – New Orleans is founded by French settlers and named after the Duke of Orleans (More info) 1768 – James Cook begins his first voyage (More info)

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Gene Simmons Age: 63 Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Musician and Actor Known For: Being “the demon” in the rock group Kiss on hits such as ‘Detroit Rock City’ and ‘Rock and Roll All Nite,’ his freakishly long tongue, and his reality show ‘Gene Simmons Family Jewels’

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 79 – Mount Vesuvius erupts, burying the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae in volcanic ash (More info) 1912 – Alaska becomes a United States territory (More info)

Three bored Delaware daycare workers found a really inadvisable way to spice up their jobs: they started their own toddler fight club in which they made their charges do battle with each other, and then captured the whole thing on tape.

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1926 – Silent film star Rudolph Valentino dies from a ruptured ulcer at the age of 31, sending tens of thousands of fans into a hysterical state of mass mourning (More info) 1939 – Germany and the Soviet Union shock the world by signing the Hitler-Stalin Pact (More info)

565 – St. Columba reports seeing a monster in Loch Ness, Scotland (More info) 1848 – The United States annexes New Mexico (More info)

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Tori Amos Age: 49 Occupation: Singer, Songwriter and Musician Known For: Selling more than 12 million albums worldwide, songs such as ‘Cornflake Girl,’ ‘God’ and ‘A Sorta Fairytale,’ her bright red hair, and being one of the few alternative artists to use a piano as her primary instrument