1743 – MARiA THERESA of AUSTRiA (Maria Theresia) was crowned Queen of Bohemia after defeating her rival, Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor on the 12th day of May in 1743.
Archduchess Maria Theresa in 1727 aged 10 years old, oil painting by Andreas Möller at Hofburg Palace Vienna
1820 – FLORENCE NiGHTiNGALE the British nurse, writer and statistician was born on the 12th day of May in 1820 (died 1910 aged 90).
Florence Nightingale (photo from Carte de Visite circa 1860s)
Florence Nightingale was well known for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she saved many wounded soldiers. She was dubbed “The Lady with the Lamp” while made her rounds at night. In 1860 Florence Nightingale began the foundation of professional nursing with the establishment of her nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, the first secular nursing school in the world, now part of King’s College London. The Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses was named in her honour, and International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on her birthday.
“Nightingale receiving the Wounded at Scutari” painting by Jerry Barrett
1928 – BURT BACHARACH the American composer was born on the 12th day of May in 1928. The video below features Barbra Streisand singing “Close to You” with Burt Bacharach on an episode of The Burt Bacharach Special on the 14th March 1971, the popular song he wrote with Hal David.
1824 ~ JEAN-LéON GéRôME the French painter and sculptor was born on the 11th day of May in 1824 (d. 1904).
“Phrynerevealed before the Areopagus” 1861 oil painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme (Hamburger Kunsthalle Gallery)
1838 ~ WALTER GOODMAN the British painter, illustrator and author was born on the 11th day of May in 1838 (d. 1912).
“The Printseller’s Window” by Walter Goodman ~ 1883 oil painting on canvas (Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester, New York, USA)
1904 ~ SALVADOR DALíthe sensational Spanishsurrealist painter was born Salvador Domènec Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbolon the 11th day of May in 1904 (died in 1989 aged 84). Dalí was a draftsman, with an amazing artistic repertoire including film, sculpture, and photography, in collaboration with other artists in a variety of media. Dalí was one of the highly imaginative, grandiose and eccentric artists of all time.
Salvador Dali with Babou his pet Ocelot wild cat, aka Dwarf Leopard ~ 1965 (photo by Roger Higgins)Salvador Dalí’s most recognizable works “The Persistence of Memory” aka “La Persistencia de La Memoria” 1931 surrealist oil painting (Museum of Modern Art ~ New York )
1938 ~JEANNE LiTTLEthe Australian entertainer and TV personality was born Jeanne Mitchell on the 11th day of May in 1938.
1941 ~ ERiC BURDON the British singer from The ANiMALS was born on the 11th day of May in 1941.
1950 ~GARY FOLEY the Australian Aboriginal Gumbainggir activist, academic, writer and actor was born on the 11th day of May in 1950. He is best known for his role in establishing the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972 and for establishing an Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern in the 1970s.
1981 ~ BOB MARLEY the Jamaican singer died on the 11th day of May in 1981 (b. 1945).
1982 ~ CORY MONTEiTH the Canadian actor and singer was born on the 11th May 1982 (died 2013 aged 31). Cory Monteith was best known for his role as Finn Hudson in the Glee television series from 2009 until he died in 2013.
1983 ~ HOLLY VALANCE the Australian born actress and singer was born on the 11th day of May in 1983.
1997 ~ DEEP BLUE the chess-playing supercomputer, defeated Garry Kasparov in the last game of the rematch, becoming the first computer to beat a world-champion chess player in a classic match format on the 11th day of May in 1997.
TODAY iN HiSTORY for MAY 11th video presented by the Associated Press…
SeaChange the Australian ABC television show intro title on the 1st broadcast on the 10th May 1998
YouTube video: SeaChange ~ Series 1 Episode 1 ~ Something Rich And Strange: (written by Andrew Knight) In just 24 hours, corporate lawyer Laura Gibson’s life is decimated. She is passed up for partnership, her son is expelled and she almost kills the family cat before discovering her husband has been arrested for fraud, squandering their life savings in the process…not to mention sleeping with her sister. Desperate to escape her life, Laura accepts a job as magistrate of a small coastal town she has fond – ten year old – memories of. Packing her kids in the station wagon, Laura heads to Pearl Bay only to find a half collapsed connecting bridge and laconic local, Diver Dan. On belated arrival, Laura discovers the solitude beach house she bought based on memory is now a dilapidated shack in the middle of a caravan park. Yet, staring out across the spectacular view from her new home, Laura decides maybe Pearl Bay is worth a chance…
TODAY iN HiSTORY for MAY 10th video presented by the Associated Press…
1662 ~ Mr. PUNCH the English puppet made his 1st recorded appearance in England on the 9th May 1662. Mr Punch is part of the traditional Punch and Judy puppet show, featuring his puppet wife, Judy. The puppet performance consists of a sequence of short scenes of interaction between the 2 characters, mostly depicting violence, and associated with traditional English seaside culture.
A traditional Punch & Judy puppet show in Islington (Photo by Jonathan Lucas)
1801 – Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood the English politician and founder of the town of Fleetwood was born on the 9th May 1801 (died 1866).
1837 – Adam Opel the German engineer and founder of the Opel Company was born on the 9th May 1837 (died 1895).
1860 ~ J. M. BARRiE the Scottish author was born on the 9th day of May in 1860 (died 1937). Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, OM was best known as the creator of Peter Pan. James was the child of a family of weavers in was born in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland. When he moved to London he developed a career as a novelist and playwright, where he met the Llewelyn Davies boys who inspired him to write The Little White Bird and Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. James unofficially adopted the Davies boys following the deaths of their parents.
1874 ~ HOWARD CARTER the English archaeologist was born on the 9th day of May in 1874 (d. 1939)
1873 ~ DER KRACHbegan when the Vienna stock market crashed, causing the start of the Long Depression on the 9th day of May in 1873.
1874 ~ The 1st HORSE DRAWN BUS in the World made its début in the city of Mumbaion the 9th day of May in 1874.
1896 – Richard Day the Canadian art director was born on the 9th May 1896 (died 1972).
1888 – Rolf de Maré the Swedish art collector was born on the 9th May 1888 (died 1964).
1901 ~ The 1st PARLiAMENT Of AUSTRALiA was opened in Melbourne on the 9th day of May in 1901, in the Royal Exhibition Building. The Commonwealth Parliament was opened by The Prince George, Duke of Cornwall and York, later to be known as King George V. The Royal Exhibition Building was the only building in Melbourne large enough to house the 14,000 guests. Parliament of Australia continued there until the 9th day of May in 1927 when it moved to the new national capital at Canberra, in Old Parliament House, which was intended to be temporary. 60 years later the new and permanent Parliament House was opened on the 9th day of May in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II.
‘The Big Picture’ oil painting on canvas by Tom Roberts, featuring the opening of Parliament Australia on 9 May 1901 in Melbourne by Prince George Duke of Cornwall & York , later known as King George V, at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
1904 ~ The steam locomotive City of Truro became the 1st steam engine in Europe to exceed 100 mph (160 km/h) on the 9th May 1904.
1908 – Mary Scheier the American sculptor was born on the 9th May 1908 (died 2007).
1920 ~ RiCHARD ADAMS the English author was born on the 9th day of May in 1920. Richard Adams is best known for writing Watership Down, a classic heroic fantasy novel, published in 1972. In 1978 an animated film adaptation of Watership Down was made, featuring the song “Bright Eyes”, sung by Art Garfunkel, which became a UK number one hit.
1927 ~ The AUSTRALiAN PARLiAMENT first convenes in Canberra on the 9th day of May in 1927.
1928 – Pancho Gonzales the American tennis player was born on the 9th May 1928 (died 1995).
1928 ~ RALPH GOiNGS the American painter was born on the 9th day of May in 1928.
1931 – Vance D. Brand the American pilot and astronaut was born on the 9th May 1931.
1935 – Roger Hargreaves the English author and illustrator was born on the 9th May 1935 (died 1988).
1937 ~ DAVE PRATER the American singer from Sam & Dave was born on the 9th day of May in 1937 (d. 1988).
1949 ~ BiLLY JOEL the American musician was born on the 9th day of May in 1949.
1949 ~ RAiNiER III of MONACO became the Prince of Monaco on the 9th day of May in 1949.
1950 – Tom Petersson the American bass player and songwriter and Cheap Trick was born on the 9th May 1950.
1960 ~ The ORAL CONTACEPTiON PiLL was approved by The Food and Drug Administration on the 9th day of May in 1960.
1962 – Dave Gahan the English singer-songwriter from Depeche Mode was born on the 9th May 1962.
1971 – Paul McGuigan the English bass player from Oasis was born on the 9th May 1971.
1976 – Ott Kadarik the Estonian architect was born on the 9th May 1976.
1979 – Pierre Bouvier the Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist from Simple Plan was born on the 9th May 1979.
1980 ~ GRANT HACKETT the Australian swimmer was born on the 9th day of May in 1980.
2011~ PRiNCE WiLLiAM & CATHERiNE “KATE” MiDDLETON, now known as the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, departed for their 10 day honeymoon, on a secluded villa on a private island in Seychelles, on the 9th day of May in 2011. William and Kate stayed on the North Island in the Seychelles, in a bungalow costing $6000 per night. In July 2012, Woman’s Day, an Australian magazine upset the British royal family, when they published a large photo spread of the couple honeymooning, with a great happy couple cover photo, of a fit looking William in boardshorts, hand in hand with his slim, stunning looking wife Kate, in a brief bikini, walking along the beach (Kate was not pregnant at this time).
View of Victoria, the capital city of Seychelles, where Prince William & Kate Middleton had their beach honeymoon, on a private island in May 2011 ( photo by Esskay from Wikipedia)Prince William & Kate Middleton walking on the beach, during their honeymoon on a private island in Seychelles in May 2011 ~ Woman’s Day magazine front cover released July 2012 (Kate not pregnant / no baby bump in this photo)
Please note: AntonK.com will not be publishing any nude or topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine “Kate” Middleton, as published by French tabloid Closer, Italian magazine Chi, and the Irish Daily Star newspaper. The topless photographs of the Duchess sunbaking topless at a swimming pool while on a private holiday with Prince William in Provence, in September 2012, were purchased by the Closer magazine, and subject to legal action by Britain’s royal family. For news about Kate’s official pregnancy re: being pregnant after all the media speculation about a baby bump please refer to this date in history: 3rd December 2012
Today in History for May 9th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…
1735 – SiR NATHANiEL DANCE-HOLLAND the English portrait painter and politician was born on the 8th day of May in 1735 (d. 1811) He was commissioned to paint actor David Garrick,King George III & his queen, plus Captain James Cook …
Official portrait of Captain James Cook by Nathaniel Dance ~ 1775 (National Maritime Museum, Greenwich)
1886 ~ COCA COLA was first sold as carbonated beverage on the 8th day of May in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton, as a patent medicine.
19th century Coca Cola coupon distributed in 1888 to help promote Coca Cola
1911 ~ ROBERT JOHNSON the American blues musician was born on the 8th day of May in 1911 (d. 1938)
1920 ~ SAUL BASS the American graphic designer and filmmaker was born on the 8th day of May in 1920 (died in 1996 aged 75). Saul Bass is best known for his design of logos and film posters. He worked with Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese and many other great Hollywood filmmakers. Saul Bass designed some of the most iconic corporate logos in America and beyond, in their time, including Bell System, AT&T, General Foods, United Airlines, Avery International,Continental Airlines, Celanese, United Way, Rockwell International, Minolta, Girl Scouts of the USA, Lawry’s Foods,Quaker Oats, Kleenex, Frontier Airlines, Dixie, Warner Booksand Warner Communications and Fuller Paints.
1953 ~ALEX VAN HALEN the Dutch born American drummer from Van Halenwas born on the 8th day of May in 1953.
1953 ~ BiLLY BURNETTE the American singer and guitarist from Fleetwood Mac was born on the 8th day of May in 1953.
1958 ~ KEViN McCLOUD the British designer, writer and television presenter best known for his work on GRAND DESiGNS, was born on the 8th day of May in 1958.
1964 ~ MELiSSA GiLBERT the American actress was born on the 8th day of May in 1964. Melissa Gilbert is best known as Laura Ingalls Wilder, on the series Little House on the Prairie (1974–1984).
1965 ~ DAVE O’NEiL the Melbourne made man and stand-up comedian, temporary TV type and radio ragamuffin, was born on this 8th day of May in 1965. Dave O’Neil can be seen in RiCKY The Movie (see movietrailer) directed by Liam Firmager
Dave O’Neil’s official website whacky illustration intro selection menu
See Dave O’Neil and a well known celebrity cameo cast of many in RiCKY The Movie…
1972 ~ DARREN HAYES the UK-based Australian singer-songwriter and frontman of SAVAGE GARDEN was born on the 8th day of May in 1972.
1973 ~ Pablo Picasso the Spanish painter and sculptor died on the 8th May in 1973 (born 25th October 1881).
Mount Everest from Kalapatthar (photo by Pavel Novak)
2011 ~ LiONEL ROSE (MBE) the Australian bantamweight boxer died on the 8th May in 2011 aged 62. Lionel Rose was the 1st Indigenous Australian to win a world title. Lionel was born and raised in hardship at Jacksons Track and Warragul, where learned to box from his father, Roy. When he was 10 his teacher Ian Hawkins gave Lionel a pair of boxing gloves when he saw him shadow boxing. When he was about 15, he trained under Frank Oakes a Warragul trainer, whose daughter Jenny he later married). Lionel won the Australian amateur flyweight title at 15.
1711 ~ DAViD HUME the Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, best known for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism was born on the 7th day of May in 1711 (died 1776 aged 65). David Hume was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment.
1824 ~ LUDWiG VAN BEETHOVEN had his World premiere with his Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria on the 7th day of May in 1824. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer’s supervision.
1840 ~ TCHAiKOVSKY the Russian composer was born on the 7th day of May in 1840 (died in 1893 aged 53).
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky oil painting portrait by Nikolay Kuznetsov in1893 (State Tretiakov Gallery, Moscow)
1846 ~ The CAMBRiDGE CHRONiCLE, America’s oldest surviving weekly newspaper, was published for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts on the 7th day of May in 1846.
Frontpage of the Camrbidge Chronicle, first Issue 7th May 1846, the oldest surviving newspaper in United States
1901 ~ GARY COOPER the American actor was born on the 7th day of May in 1901 (died in 1961 aged 60).
1909 ~ EDWiN H. LAND the American scientist and inventor of the Polaroid instant camera was born on the 7th day of May in 1909 (died in 1991 aged 81) Edwin H. Land was best known as the co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation. He also invented inexpensive filters for polarizing light and the retinex theory of color vision. Edwin’s Polaroid instant camera went on sale in 1948, and made it possible for a picture to be taken and developed in 60 seconds or less. The photo below is of the Polaroid Square Shooter 2 195X Land Camera, owned by my late grandfather, Norman Clarke…
Polaroid Square Shooter 2 195X Land Camera (1971-1972) ridged plastic body, uses Packfilm Type 80, for instant photography. This camera was owned by Anton Kressnig’s late grandfather, Norman Clarke (photo by Anton K)Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera from 1972, invented by Edwin H Land in 1948 (photo by Colin M.L. Burnett)
1927 ~ JiM LOWEthe American singer was born on the 7th day of May in 1927. Jim Lowe is best known for his 1956 number one hit record Green Door. YouTube video: Jim Lowe – Green Door (1956) USA #1 hit single from Jim Lowe peaked at #8 in the UK…
1939 ~JiMMY RUFFiN the American soul singer was born on the 7th day of May in 1939. Jimmy Ruffin is best known for his 1966 hit What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
1946 ~ THELMA HOUSON the American singer was born on the 7th day of May in 1946.
1946 ~BiLL DANOFF the American songwriter and singer from the Starland Vocal Band was born on the 7th day of May in 1946. As a songwriter, Bill Danoff wrote or co-wrote hits for John Denver, Emmylou Harris and Doug & The Slugs. He is best known for performing and writing Afternoon Delight…
1994 ~ EDVARD MUNCH‘s iconic painting The SCREAMwas recovered undamaged on the 7th day of May in 1994, after having been stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in February.
The Scream by Edvard Munch ~ 1895 pastel on board ~ sold for $US119.9 million
1998 ~ MERCEDES-BENZ bought CHRYSLER for $40 billion USD and formed DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history on the 7th day of May in 1998.
1998 ~ EDDiE RABBiTT the American musician died on the 7th day of May in 1998 (b. 1941).
1840 ~ The PENNY BLACK the World’s first official adhesive postage stamp became valid for use in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on the 6th day of May in 1840.
The Penny Black, the World’s 1st adhesive postage stamp featuring Queen Victoria ~ 1st May 1840
1844 ~ The GLACiARiUMopened and became the World’s first mechanically frozen ice rink on the 6th day of May in 1844.
1856 ~ SiGMUND FREUD the Austrian psychiatrist was born on the 6th day of May in 1856 (died in 1939 aged 83)
1868 ~ GASTON LEROUX the French writer best known for writing the novel The Phantom of the Opera (Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, 1910) was born on the 6th day of May in 1868 (died in 1927 aged 58).
1889 ~ The EiFFEL TOWER was officially opened to the public at the Universal Exposition in Paris on the 6th day of May in 1889.
View of the Eiffel tower and the Exposition Universelle on the Champs de Mars with Seine and the Pont d’Iena in the foreground, Paris, taken from a tethered balloon above the Trocadero in 1889
895 ~RUDOLPH VALENTiNO the Italian actor was born on the 6th day of May in 1895 (died in 1926 aged 31)
1915 ~ ORSON WELLES the American film director and actor was born on the 6th day of May in 1915 (died in 1985 aged 70).
1910 ~ GEORGE V became the King of the United Kingdom upon the death of his father on the 6th day of May in 1910.
1937 ~ HiNDENBURG DiSASTER The German zeppelinHindenburg caught fire and was destroyed within a minute while attempting to dock in New Jersey, on the 6th day of May in 1937, causing 36 people to die.
1945 ~ BOB SEGER the American singer/songwriter was born on the 6th day of May in 1945.
1947 ~ ALAN DALE the New Zealand actor was born on the 6th day of May in 1947.
1948 ~ MARY MacGREGOR the American singer was born on the 6th day of May in 1948. Mary MacGregor is best known for singing the 1976 song Torn Between Two Lovers…
1953 ~ TONY BLAiR the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1997–2007 was born on the 6th day of May in 1953.
1961 ~ GEORGE CLOONEY the American actor was born on the 6th day of May in 1961.
1961 ~ GiNA RiLEY the Australian actress, writer, singer and comedian was born on the 6th day of May in 1961.
1992 ~ MARLENE DiETRiCH the German actress died on the 6th day of May in 1992 aged 90.
Marlene Dietrich still photograph from the Shanghai Express movie in 1932, by Josef von Sternberg, with butterfly lighting to enhance her features. Mick Rock said this photograph was the inspiration for the iconic Queen II album cover.
1992 ~ iNTERNATiONAL NO DiET DAY was created by Mary Evans Young on the 6th day of May in 1992. Mary is the director of the British group “Diet Breakers”. After personally experiencing anorexia, she worked to help people appreciate themselves for what they are, and to appreciate the body they have.
2003 ~GEOFFREY BARDON (AM) the Australian school teacher who created the Aboriginal art of the Western Desert movement died on the 6th May 2003 (born 1940). Geoff Bardon brought Australian indigenous art to the attention of the world.
2006 ~ GRANT McLENNAN the Australian singer and songwriter from The GO-BETWEENS died on the 6th day of May in 2006 aged 48.
Allan Stewart, the World's oldest university graduate aged 97 years old at the Southern Cross University graduation on 4th May 2012
“People should never use the excuse that ‘I am too old to study’ or ‘I have left my run too late’,” ~ Allan Stewart
97 year old Allan Stewart from Australia became the World’s oldest university graduate for the second time, more than 70 years after attaining his first degree. He surpassed his own Guinness World Record when he graduated with his 4th degree, a Master of Clinical Science (Complementary Medicine) from Southern Cross University in Lismore, on Friday the 4th of May 2012. Allan achieved his first Guinness World Record title 6 years earlier, at the age of 91, when he completed a law degree at the University of New England.
“I can hang up my mortar board and academic robes after this one, although I said that after my last degree and then I got bored” ~ Allan Stewart
Allan Stewart is a Sydney-born great-grandfather, and retired dentist, now living at Port Stephens. He attained his first degree in 1936, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Dentistry with Honours from the University of Sydney. He later completed a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Northwestern University in Chicago, and practised as a dentist in London, Sydney and rural northern NSW.
“I have so much time on my hands these days and I like to keep mentally active.” ~ Allan Stewart
Allan said fitness and having a focus in life was a key to his longevity and intellectual stimulation.
“It is never too late to expand your mind, make new friends and challenge yourself to achieve something worthwhile.” ~ Allan Stewart
Allan Stewart the World's oldest university graduate aged 97 years old on Weekend Sunrise ~ Sunday 6th May 2012
Allan Stewart still lives independently at the age of 97, and also acts as a carer for a friend. He thinks about each day and what he wants to achieve, and says that gives him focus and purpose. Allan said “There’s a lot of surprise but I think the fact that I’ve done what I’ve done has been an encouragement to a lot of people, particularly older people and say baby boomers to do the same”
Doctor Sonia Brownie, a Southern Cross University lecturer said she did a double take when she first saw an enrolment application with a date of birth of 1915. “When I initially saw his application for enrollment I trotted back down to the student liaison team because I saw the date of birth 1915 and I said for them to check that he indeed was a man well into his senior years,” she said. Mr Stewart studied mostly by correspondence online, and is known to be excellent at time management.
Allan Stewart, the World's oldest university graduate at home ~ May 2012
When Allan was not studying for his fourth degree, he was walking, gardening, fishing, playing golf, and assisting in the local community technology centre. Allan says it’s one of his paradigms to keep the mind and body active. “When you do graduate it’s not just sufficient to say well I’ve gone so far, I feel that you need to continue learning,” he said.
“I’m a great believer from a health point of view, as you are ageing, to make sure you have sufficient exercise of the mind and sufficient exercise of the body” ~ Allan Stewart
In the future, 97 year old Allan plans to take it very easy and relax with friends and family, including his 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
“You are never too old and it’s never too late to study” ~ Allan Stewart
Allan Stewart, World's oldest university graduate aged 97 years old, at Southern Cross University graduation ~ 4th May 2012
“It’s never too late to live your dream” ~ Anton K. Kressnig
1260 ~ KUBLAi KHAN became the ruler of the Mongol Empire on the 5th day of May in 1260.
Painting of Kublai Khan, the ruler of the Mongol Empire by Chinese court artist Liu Guandao in 1280
1494 ~ CHRiSTOPHER COLUMBUS landed on the island of Jamaica and claimed it for Spain on the 5th day of May in 1494.
1809 ~ Mary Kies became the first woman awarded a U.S.patent on the 5th May 1809, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread.
1818 ~ KARL MARX the German political philosopher was born on the 5th day of May in 1818 (died in 1883 aged 64).
1821 ~ NAPOLEON the Emperor of France from 1804 to 1815 died on the 5th day of May in 1821, while in exile on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.
1864 ~ Nellie Bly the American journalist and author was born on the 5th May 1864 (died 1922).
1866 ~ MEMORiAL DAY was first celebrated in United States at Waterloo, New York on the 5th day of May in 1866.
1869 ~ Fabián de la Rosa the Filipino painter was born on the 5th May 1869 (died 1937).
1883 ~ AGUSTíN BARRiOS the Paraguayan guitarist and composer was born on the 5th May 1883 (died 1944).
1891 ~ CARNEGiE HALL originally known as The Music Hall in New York City had its grand opening and first public performance, with TCHAiKOVSKY as the guest conductor on the 5th day of May in 1891.
1901 ~ Blind Willie McTell the American singer and guitarist was born on the 5th May 1901 (died 1959).
1905 ~ Floyd Gottfredson the American cartoonist was born on the 5th May 1905 (died 1986).
1914 ~ Tyrone Power the American actor was born on the 5th May 1914 (died 1958).
1915 ~ Alice Faye the American actress was born on the 5th May 1915 (died 1998).
1923 ~ RiCHARD WOLLHEiM the British philosopher noted for original work on mind, emotions, and the philosophy of art, died on the 5th day of May in 1923 (d. 2003 aged 80). Richard Wollheim served as the president of the British Society of Aesthetics from 1992 until his death in 2003. In a 1965 essay, Richard Wollheim coined the phrase “Minimal Art“, although its meaning eventually drifted from his.
1925 ~ Afrikaans was declared an official language on the 5th May 1925, by the government of South Africa.
1927 ~ Pat Carroll the American actress was born on the 5th May 1927.
1929 ~ Ilene Woods the American actress was born on the 5th May 1929 (died 2010).
1938 ~ Michael Murphy the American actor was born on the 5th May 1938.
1942 ~ TAMMY WYNETTE the biggest-selling country female vocalists aka the First Lady of Country Music was born on this the 5th day of May in 1942 (died in 1998 aged 55). Tammy was best known for the biggest selling hit country single by a woman in history ~ Stand by Your Man (1968)
1942 ~ Marc Alaimo the American actor was born on the 5th May 1942.
1943 ~ MiCHAEL PALiN the British writer, actor, and comedian best known as a member of MONTY PYTHON and his travel documentaries, was born on the 5th day of May in 1943.
1957 ~ Richard E. Grant the British-Swazi actor, screenwriter, and director was was born on the 5th May 1957.
1958 ~ Robert DiPierdomenico the Australian footballer known as Dipper was born on the 5th May 1958.
1959 ~ iAN McCULLOCH the English lead singer of ECHO & The BUNNYMENwas born on the 5th day of May in 1959. The video below features the single “The Cutter” released in 1983, the 2nd single from the “Porcupine” album…
1962 ~ GARY DALY the English lead singer of CHiNA CRiSiS was born on the 5th day of May in 1962. The video below features a great song from 1985 by China Crisis ~ “Black Man Ray”
1976 ~ Dieter Brummer the Australian actor was born on the 5th May 1976.
1980 ~ HANK GREEN the musician, video blogger and founder of ecogeek.org was born on the 5th day of May in 1980.
1981 ~ CRAiG DAViD the English singer was born on the 5th day of May in 1981.
1988 ~ADELE Adkins the English recording artist and songwriter was born on the 5th day of May in 1988.
1989 ~CHRiS BROWN the American singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer and actor was born on the 5th day of May in 1989.
1991 ~ iNTERNATiONAL MiDWiVES’ DAY was first celebrated May 5, 1991, and has since been observed in over 50 nations around the world. The idea of having a day to recognize and honor midwives came out of the 1987 International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands.
2013 ~ Valery Rozov the 48 year old Russian extreme sport star made the world’s highest BASE jump on the 5th May 2013, when he flew off the north face of Mount Everest.
1916 ~ Richard Proenneke the American naturalist was born on the 4th May 1916 (died 2003).
1929 ~ AUDREY HEPBURN the British actress was born on the 4th day of May in 1929 (died in 1993 aged 63).
Audrey Hepburn studio publicity photo for the 1957 film “Love in the Afternoon”
1932 – AL CAPONE the Atlanta, Georgia mobster began serving an 11 year prison sentence for tax evasion on the 4th May 1932.
1941 ~ NiCKOLAS ASHFORD the American recording artist was born on the 4th day of May in 1941 (died in 2011 aged 70). Nicholas sang and wrote songs with his wife Valerie Simpson, and were best known as ASHFORD & SiMPSON. Together the trio wrote Let’s Go Get Stoned, which gave Ray Charles a number one hit in 1966. Also that year Ashford & Simpson wrote Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) and many more. They wrote many hit songs including Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman (1978). Performing as a duet, Ashford & Simpson had a hit with “Solid” in 1984 (US) and 1985 (UK). The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
1959 ~ The GRAMMY AWARDS were held for the 1st time on the 4th day of May in 1959.
1960 ~ANDREW DENTON the Australian television presenter and comedian was born on the 4th day of May in 1960. See Andrew Denton interview Jerry Seinfeld on Enough Rope YouTube video…
1961 ~ JAY ASTON the British singer from BUCKS FiZZ was born on the 4th day of May in 1961.
1970 ~ GREGG ALEXANDER the American lead singer and songwriter in the NEW RADiCALS was born on the 4th May 1970. Gregg wrote all the New Radicals songs, including this 1998 hit You Get What You Give (YouTube video)…
1972 ~ The DON’T MAKE A WAVE COMMiTEE became the GREENPEACE FOUNDATiON on the 4th May 1972 when they officially changed the name. The Don’t Make A Wave Commitee environmental organization was founded in Canada in 1971).
1972 ~ MiKE DiRNT the American musician best known as the bassist, backing vocalist and co-founder of rock band GREEN DAY was born on the 4th May 1972.
1974 ~ The MANASLU summit was climbed by an all-female Japanese team on the 4th May 1974, making them the first women to climb an 8,000 meter peak.
1979 ~ MARGARET THATCHER became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on the 4th day of May in 1979.
1999 ~ iNTERNATiONAL FiREFiGHTERS’ DAY was instituted on the 4th May 1999 due to the deaths of 5 firefighters in tragic circumstances in a wildfire in Linton, Victoria, Australia. The 4th of May used to be a traditional Firefighters’ Day in many European countries, because it is the day of Saint Florian, patron saint of firefighters. Visit www.FireFightersDay.org.
2007 ~ GREENSBURG, KANSAS was almost completely destroyed by a 1.7 mi wide EF-5 tornado on the 4th May 2007.
2011 ~ STAR WARS DAY was first officially celebrated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Toronto Underground Cinema on the 4th May 2011. May the 4th be with you!..
May The 4th Be With You ~ Star Wars Day 2012
2012 ~ALLAN STEWARTaged 97 from Australia graduated as the World’s oldest university graduate, on the 4th day of May in 2012.
Allan Stewart, the World’s oldest university graduate aged 97 years old at the Southern Cross University graduation on 4th May 2012
