August 14 Birthday
On August 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. The act created a system of retirement benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid to families with dependent children. It was the most significant piece of social legislation in American history. When it was passed, half of elderly Americans lived in poverty. Social Security reduced that to 10%. The system was designed as a pay-as-you-go program — current workers pay for current retirees. It has never missed a payment. The first monthly check was issued to Ida May Fuller of Vermont in January 1940 — $22.54. She lived to be 100 and collected $22,889 in benefits, having paid $24.75 in payroll taxes. On August 14, 1945, Japan accepted the Allied surrender terms. President Truman announced the news at 7 PM Eastern time. V-J Day celebrations erupted across the world. Alfred Eisenstaedt photographed a sailor kissing a woman in Times Square — the photograph became one of the most famous of the 20th century. The woman, Greta Zimmer Friedman, was a dental assistant, not a nurse. The sailor, George Mendonsa, was on leave from the Pacific. Neither had met before. People born on August 14 fall under the zodiac sign of Leo. The birthstone is Peridot and the birth flower is Gladiolus. Historical events on August 14 include 1935: President Roosevelt signs Social Security Act into law, 1945: Japan accepts Allied surrender terms (announced August 15), 1980: Lech Wałęsa leads strikes at Gdańsk shipyard — Solidarity movement begins. Famous people born on August 14 include John Gielgud (1904), Steve Martin (1945), Gary Larson (1950).