Today in History: August 25th Events and Milestones
Today marks the 237th day of the year, with 128 days remaining in 2025. On this day in history, Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act in 1916, establishing the National Park Service to preserve the country's natural and historic wonders for future generations. In 1875, Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel, while in 1944, Paris was liberated by Allied forces after four years of Nazi occupation during World War II. Other significant events on this day include the first televised congressional hearing by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1948 and the tragic death of R&B singer Aaliyah in a plane crash in 2001. Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, passed away in 2012, and Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas in 2017, causing extensive damage. In 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse opened fire during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, resulting in two deaths and one injury. Regulators approved California's plan to mandate electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2035 in 2022, but faced opposition from President Donald Trump in 2025.