1878 – The Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore opened at the Opera Comique in London on the 25th May 1878.

1898 – Bennett Cerf the American publisher and co-founder of Random House was born on the 25th May 1898 (died 1971).

1925 – John T. Scopes was indicted for teaching Charles Darwin‘s theory of evolution on the 25th May 1925.

1944 – Frank Oz the English-American puppeteer, voice actor, and director was born on the 25th May 1944.

1953 – KUHT officially began broadcasting as the 1st public television station in the United States, from the campus of the University of Houston, on the 25th May 1953.

1958 – Paul Weller the English singer-songwriter and guitarist from The Jam and The Style Council was born on the 25th May 1958.

1959 – Julian Clary the English comedian, actor, and author was born on the 25th May 1959.

1955 – The 1st ascent of Kangchenjunga (8,586m), the 3rd highest mountain in the world was led by Joe Brown and George Band on the 25th May 1955.

1961 –  U.S. President John F. Kennedy announced his goal to initiate a Apollo program project to put a “man on the Moon” before the end of the decade, on the 25th May 1961.

1963 ~ Valerie Clarke & Werner Kressnig were married on the 25th May 1963. Valerie & Werner  Kressnig are the parents of artist Anton K. Kressnig. Valerie and Werner celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the 25th May 2013.

1963 – Mike Myers the Canadian-American actor, singer, screenwriter, and producer was born on the 25th May 1963.

1964 – Ray Stevenson the Irish-English actor was born on the 25th May 1964.

1977 – Chinese government removed a decade old ban on William Shakespeare‘s work, which effectively ended the Cultural Revolution started in 1966.

1977 ~ The 1st STAR WARS  film in the series was released on the 25th day of May in 1977. The film series was created by George Lucas under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide phenomenon, followed by 2 sequels. The revenue generated by the Star Wars films totaled $4.49 billion, making it the 3rd highest grossing film series, behind the Harry Potter and James Bond films.

1986 – Hands Across America took place on the 25th May 1986.

2011 – Oprah Winfrey aired her last show, ending her 25 year run of The Oprah Winfrey Show on the 25th May 2011.

2012 – The Dragon spacecraft became the 1st commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) on the 25th May 2012.

Today in History for May 25th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…

 

1686 ~ Gabriel Fahrenheit the German inventor and thermometer maker was born on the 24th day of May in 1686 (d. 1736).

1830 ~ Mary Had a Little Lamb by Sarah Josepha Hale was published on the 24th day of May in 1830.

1844 ~ Samuel Morse sent the message “What hath God wrought” (a biblical quotation, Numbers 23:23) from the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the United States Capitol to his assistant, Alfred Vail, in Baltimore, Maryland to inaugurate the first telegraph line on the 24th day of May in 1844.

1930 ~ Amy Johnson landed in Darwin, Northern Territory on the 24th day of May in 1930 becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia (she left on May 5 for the 11,000 mile flight).

1940 ~ Igor Sikorsky performed the first successful single rotor helicopter flight on the 24th day of May in 1940.

1941 ~ Bob Dylan the American singer and songwriter was born on the 24th day of May in 1941.

1944 ~ Patti LaBelle the American R&B singer, songwriter and actress was born on the 24th day of May in 1944.

1945 ~ Priscilla Presley the American actress was born on the 24th day of May in 1945.

1956 ~ The Eurovision Song Contest was held for the first time on the 24th day of May in 1956, in Lugano, Switzerland.

1956 ~ Larry Blackmon the American lead singer from Cameo was born on the 24th day of May in 1956.

1965 ~ Humphrey B. Bear the Australian children’s television series was 1st broadcast on Adelaide’s NWS-9 on Monday the 24th May 1965.

1969 ~ Anne Heche the American actress was born on the 24th May 1969.

1972 ~ Layne Beachley the Australian former professional surfer from Manly, New South Wales was born on the 24th May 1972. Layne Beachley won the World Surfing Championship 7 times. Layne’ Beachley’s official website: www.LayneBeachley.com | verified Twitter.com/LayneCBeachley | Facebook.com/LayneBeachleyOfficial | Youtube.com/user/LayneBeachley/videos | YouTube video: Layne Beachley ~ Profile: One successful child from down Under is the original Aussie, surf animal and also 8-time world champ Layne Beachley from Sydney. She’s not only the reigning competition queen and big wave charger but also a business woman. She paved the way for women surfers and changed the way the world looks at woman in surfing…

1981 ~ Andy Lee the Australian comedian was born Andrew Lee on the 24th May 1981. Since 2003, Andy has worked live on television and radio with Hamish Blake as part of the comedy duo Hamish and Andy. Andy Lee is best known as the bloke who dates girls out of his league since his unexplainable 4 year relationship with model Megan Gale. Visit Andy @ www.HamishAndAndy.com

2001 ~ Temba Tsheri the 15 year old Sherpa became the youngest person to climb to the top of Mount Everest on the 24th day of May in 2001.

Today in History for May 24th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

1568 ~ The NETHERLANDS declared their independence from Spain on the 23rd day of May in 1568.

1707 ~ Carolus Linnaeus the Swedish botanist was born on the 23rd May 1707 (died 1778).

1734 ~ FRANZ ANTON MESMER the Austrian physician and hypnotist best known for naming the theory of animal magnetism (magnétisme animal) was born on the 23rd day of May in 1734 (d. 1815). Franz theorised that there was a natural energetic transference that occurred between all animated and inanimate objects, in which he called animal magnetism, and later referred to as mesmerism. His theory attracted a wide following  and influence until the end of the 19^th century.

1795 ~ Charles Barry the English architect was born on the 23rd May 1795 (died 1860).

1810 ~ Margaret Fuller the American journalist was born on the 23rd May 1810 (died 1850).

1820 ~ James Buchanan Eads the American engineer, inventor and designer of the Eads Bridge was born on the 23rd May 1820 (died 1887).

1829 ~ The ACCORDiON patent was granted to Cyrill Demian in Vienna on the 23rd day of May in 1829. This video features some amazing Accordion skills by Alexander Hrustevich performing the Presto from Summer by Vivaldi... 

1834 ~ Carl Heinrich Bloch the Danish painter was born on the 23rd May 1834 (died 1890).

1848 ~ Otto Lilienthal the German aviation pioneer and engineer was born on the 23rd May 1848 (died 1896).

1873 – The Canadian Parliament established the North-West Mounted Police on the 23rd May 1873, now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

1910 ~ Hugh Casson the English architect, designer, and artist was born on the 23rd May 1910 (died 1999).

1911 ~ The New York Public Library was dedicated on the 23rd May 1911.

1933 ~ JOAN COLLiNS the English actress was born on the 23rd day of May in 1933. Joan Collins was best known as Alexis Colby on the long running 1980s television soap opera Dynasty…

1934 ~ ROBERT MOOG the American inventor of the Moog synthesizer was born on the 23rd day of May in 1934 (d. 2005)

1934 ~ BONNiE & CLYDE the American bank robbers were ambushed by police and killed in Black Lake, Louisiana on the 23rd day of May in 1934.

1937 ~ JOHN D. ROCKELLER the American industrialist and philanthropist died on the 23rd day of May in 1937 (b. 1839).

1944 ~ JOHN NEWCOMBE the Australian former World No. 1 tennis player was born on the 23rd day of May in 1944.

1945 ~ HEiNRiCH HiMMLER the Nazi official and head of the SS committed suicide while in Allied custody on the 23rd day of May in 1945.

1949 ~ The FEDERAL REPUBLiC of GERMANY was established on the 23rd day of May in 1949, and known as West Germany until the German reunification on the 3rd day of October in 1990.

*German flags photo by Arne Müseler ~ see the full original image  

1951 ~ ANATOLY KARPOV the Russian chess grandmaster and former World Champion was born on the 23rd day of May in 1951.

1955 ~ LUKA BLOOM the Irish singer-songwriter was born on the 23rd day of May in 1955.

1958 ~ DREW CAREY the American actor, comedian and game show host was born on the 23rd day of May in 1958.

1958 ~ MiTCH ALBOM the American writer was born on the 23rd day of May in 1958.

1958 ~ Explorer 1 ceased transmission on the 23rd May 1958.

1967 ~ Phil Selway the English drummer from Radiohead was born on the 23rd May 1967.

1970 ~ Matt Flynn the American drummer from Maroon 5 was born on the 23rd May 1970.

1973 ~ Maxwell the American singer-songwriter, musician, and producer was born on the 23rd May 1973.

1974 ~ JEWEL the American singer was born on the 23rd day of May in 1974.

1983 ~ HEiDi RANGE the English singer from Sugababes and originally from Atomic Kitten was born on the 23rd day of May in 1983.

1995 ~ Java programming language (first version) was released on the 23rd May 1995.

2000 ~ WORLD TURTLE DAY started on the 23rd day of May in 2000. World Turtle Day is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue, to help increase attention, knowledge and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. American Tortoise Rescue online: Tortoise.com & American Tortoise Rescue Facebook  

2013 ~ HAZEL HAWKE the Australian wife of 23rd Prime Minister Bob Hawke, author and amateur pianist died on the 23rd May 2013 (born 1929).

Today in History for May 23rd ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

1724 – Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne the French explorer was born on the 22nd May 1724 (died 1772).

1733 – Hubert Robert the French artist was born on the 22nd May 1733 (died 1808).

1783 – William Sturgeon the English physicist and inventor of the Electromagnet and Electric motor  was born on the 22nd May 1783 (died 1850).

1807 – Most of the English town of Chudleigh was destroyed by fire on the 22nd May 1807.

1809 – On the 2nd and last day of the Battle of Aspern-Essling (near Vienna, Austria), Napoleon I was repelled by an enemy army for the first time on the 22nd May 1809.

1813 – Richard Wagner the German composer was born on the 22nd May 1813 (died 1883).

1819 – The SS Savannah left port at Savannah, Georgia, United States on the 22nd May 1819, on a voyage to become the 1st steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The ship arrived at Liverpool, England on June 20 1819.

1826 – HMS Beagle departed on its 1st voyage on the 22nd May 1826.

1840 – The transportation of British convicts to the New South Wales colony was abolished on the 22nd May 1840.

1844 – Mary Cassatt the American artist was born on the 22nd May 1844 (died 1926).

1849 – President Abraham Lincoln was issued a patent for an invention to lift boats over obstacles in a river on the 22nd May 11849, the only patent ever issued to a U.S. President.

1864 – Willy Stöwer the German artist was born on the 22nd May 1864 (died 1931).

1897 – The Blackwall Tunnel under the River Thames was officially opened on the 22nd May 1897.

1906 – The Wright brothers were granted U.S. patent number 821,393 for their Flying-Machine on the 22nd May 1906.

1907 – Hergé the Belgian writer and artist was born on the 22nd May 1907 (died 1983). Hergé was the pen name of Georges Prosper Remi, best known for The Adventures of Tintin comic book series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until he died in 1983.

1907 – Laurence Olivier the English actor was born on the 22nd May 1907 (died 1989).

1936 – M. Scott Peck the American psychiatrist and writer was born on the 22nd May 1936 (died 2005).

1942 – Calvin Simon the American singer and musician from Parliament-Funkadelic was born on the 22nd May 1942.

1950 – Bernie Taupin the English singer-songwriter and poet was born on the 22nd May 1950.

1955 ~ Iva Davies the Australia frontman of Icehouse was born on the 22nd May 1955.

1957 – Gary Sweet the Australian actor was born on the 22nd May 1957.

1958 – Denise Welch the English actress was born on the 22nd May 1958.

1959 – Morrissey the English singer-songwriter and pianist from The Smiths was born on the 22nd May 1959.

1961 – An earthquake rocked New South Wales on the 22nd May 1961..

1962 – Continental Airlines Flight 11 crashed after bombs exploded on board on the 22nd May 1962.

1964 – U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the goals of his Great Society social reforms on the 22nd May 1964,  to bring an “end to poverty and racial injustice” in America.

1969 – Apollo 10 ‘s lunar module flew within 8.4 nautical miles (16 km) of the moon‘s surface on the 22nd May 1969..

1970 – Naomi Campbell the English model and actress was born on the 22nd May 1970.

1972 – Alison Eastwood the American actress and model was born on the 22nd May 1972.

1978 ~ Katie Price (previously known as Jordan) the English media personality, reality TV star, author, former glamour model and businesswoman was born on the 22nd May 1978. Katie Price was originally a topless Page Three female glamour model in The Sun newspaper, before expanding into television, books, fashion and music. Katie Price was once married to Australian singer Peter Andre from 2005 to 2009. Katie Price’s official website: www.KatiePrice.co.uk | Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatiePrice | verified Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MissKatiePrice

1980 – Namco released Pac-Man on the 22nd May 1980.

1982 – Apolo Anton Ohno the American speed skater was born on the 22nd May 1982.

1982 – Erin McNaught the Australian model, television host and Miss Australia 2006 was born on the 22nd May 1982.

1987 – First ever Rugby World Cup kicked off with New Zealand playing Italy at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on the 22nd May 1987.

1990 – North and South Yemen were unified to create the Republic of Yemen on the 22nd May 1990.

1990 – Microsoft released the Windows 3.0 operating system on the 22nd May 1990.

1992 – After 30 years, 66-year-old Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for the last time on the 22nd May 1992.

1992 – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia joined the United Nations on the 22nd May 1992.

1998 – Lewinsky scandal: a federal judge ruled that United States Secret Service agents could be compelled to testify before a grand jury on the 22nd May 1998, concerning the scandal, involving President Bill Clinton.

2011 – An EF5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri on the 22nd May 2011, killing 162 people and wreaking $2.8 billion worth in damage, becoming the costliest and 7th deadliest single tornado in U.S. history.

2012 – Tokyo Skytree was opened to public on the 22nd May 2012. It became the tallest tower in world (634 m), and the 2nd tallest man-made structure on Earth, after Burj Khalifa (829.8 m).

2012 ~ The FALCON 9 launched the first commercial flight to space, with a cargo delivery to a space station by a private company on the 22nd day of May in 2012. The Falcon rocket was topped by an unmanned Dragon freight capsule, when it lifted clear of its Florida pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 03:44 EDT (07:44 GMT; 08:44 BST). The launch system has been built by California-based firm SpaceX. See Nasa’s news: SpaceX Launches Falcon 9/Dragon on Historic Mission 

2012 ~ JAMES DOOHAN the Star Trek legend best known as Montgomery “Scotty” Scott was beamed up to space on the 22nd day of May in 2012. His ashes were blasted into space aboard the Falcon 9 Rocket (as seen above), the first commercial rocket launched into the space, along with Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper, and more than 300 other hardcore space fans. James Doohan died in 2005 at the age of 85, and the first attempt to send his ashes into the orbit in 2008 was unsuccessful after the rocket carrying them failed.

*see the full image at NASA and more info about this photo and project at this NASA page

Today in History for May 22nd ~ video presented by the Associated Press…

International Day for Biological Diversity

1085 ~ The Swedish town of Helsingborg was founded on the 21st May 1085.

1502 ~ The island of Saint Helena was discovered by the Portuguese explorer João da Nova on the 21st May 1502.

1851 ~ Slavery was abolished in Colombia, South America on the 21st May 1851.

1864 ~ Princess Stéphanie of Belgium the Belgian princess by birth, and Crown Princess of Austria by marriage was born on the 21st May 1864 (died 23rd August 1945 aged 81).

1871 ~ The 1st rack railway in Europe opened on the 21st May 1871, the Rigi-Bahnen on Mount Rigi.

1881 ~ The American Red Cross was established by Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. on the 21st May 1881.

1870 ~ Ferdinand Schmutzer the Austrian artist, photographer, painter and engraver was born in Vienna on the 21st May 1870 (died 26th October 1928 aged 58). Ferdinand Schmutzer is well known for his photographic portraits of well known people such as Albert Einstein. Ferdinand’s great-grandfather Jacob Matthias Schmutzer founded the Imperial Engraving Academy. Ferdinand Schmutzer grandfather and his father were sculptors focused on representing animals. At 16 years old, Ferdinand enrolled to study painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna in 1886. He first studied with Leopold Carl Müller, and later with Matthias Trenkwald. In 1894 Ferdinand won a Prix de Rome art scholarship… read more about the life of Ferdinand Schmutzer and see the Ferdinand Schmutzer Gallery page featuring Photography | Etchings | Oil paintings | Drawings at the official website: www.Ferdinand-schmutzer.com 

1894 ~ The Manchester Ship Canal in England was officially opened by Queen Victoria on the 21st May 1894, who later knighted its designer Sir Edward Leader Williams.

1904 ~ The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was founded in Paris on the 21st May 1904.

1917 ~ The Great Atlanta fire of 1917 on the 21st May caused $5.5 million in damages, destroying some 300 acres including 2,000 homes, businesses and churches, displacing about 10,000 people, but only one fatality (due to heart attack).

1927 ~ Charles Lindbergh touched down at Le Bourget Field in Paris on the 21st May 1927, completing the world’s first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

1932 ~ Bad weather forced Amelia Earhart to land in a pasture in Derry, Northern Ireland on the 21st May 1932, becoming the 1st woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

1934 ~ Oskaloosa, Iowa, became the first municipality in the United States to fingerprint all of its citizens on the 21st May 1934.

1936 ~ Sada Abe is arrested after wandering the streets of Tokyo for days with her dead lover’s severed genitals in her hand. Her story soon becomes one of Japan‘s most notorious scandals.

1937 ~ A Soviet station, North Pole-1, became the 1st scientific research settlement to operate on the drift ice of the Arctic Ocean on the 21st May 1937.

1939 ~ The Canadian National War Memorial was unveiled by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in Ottawa on the 21st May 1939.

1942 ~ John Konrads the Australian world champion freestyle swimmer was born Jānis Konrads in Riga, Latvia on the 21st May 1942. John Konrads won the 1500m freestyle at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. In his career, he set 26 individual world records. When John retired from his swimming career he became the Australasian director of L’Oréal, as well as campaigning for the Sydney Olympics bid. John Konrads was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. John’s sister Ilsa Konrads also set multiple swimming world records, when they were well known as the Konrad Kids. John Konrads official website: www.JohnKonrads.com.au

YouTube video: The Konrads Swim Champions: John and Ilsa Konrads were teenage sensations in a golden time for Australian swimming. Here we see them rise through the ranks with the aid of coach Don Talbot and examine their training techniques that led them to achieve multiple world records. It also shows earlier champions Andrew “Boy” Charlton, Bonnie Mealing and Fanny Durack (Made by the National Film Board 1959)…

1946 ~ Physicist Louis Slotin was fatally irradiated in a criticality incident on the 21st May 1946, during an experiment with the Demon core at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

1948 ~ Joe Camilleri the Australian vocalist, songwriter and saxophonist from Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and The Black Sorrows was born on the 21st May 1948.

1951 ~ The 9th Street Art Exhibition opened on the 21st May 1951, with a gathering of notable artists stepping-out of the post war New York avant-garde, collectively known as the New York School.

1966 ~ Sally Boyden the Australian singer, song writer, and actor was born on the 21st May 1966. Sally began her television career on Young Talent Time (YTT) at the age of 7, from 1973 until 1976. www.facebook.com/SallyBoyden & www.twitter.com/SallyBoyden

1972 ~ Michelangelo‘s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome was damaged by the mentally disturbed Hungarian geologist Laszlo Toth on the 21st May 1972.

1980 – Gotye the Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter was born on the 21st May 1980.

1992 ~ After 30 seasons Johnny Carson hosted his penultimate episode of The Tonight Show on the 21st May 1992.

2005 ~ The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opened on the 21st May 2005 at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey.

2010 ~ JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, launched the solar-sail spacecraft IKAROS aboard an H-IIA rocket on the 21st May 2010. The vessel would make a Venus flyby late in the year.

2011 ~ Radio broadcaster Harold Camping predicted that the end of the world would occur on on the 21st May 2011, a prophecy that proved to be incorrect.

2012 ~ SMOOTH FM 91.5 was launched in Melbourne on the 21st day of May in 2012. Smooth FM is a network of two Australian commercial radio stations operated by DMG Radio Australia, in Melbourne and Sydney. Smooth FM was previously known as  Vega (2005 ~ 2010) and Classic Rock (2010 ~ 2012). Smooth is continuing with the soft easy listening ‘More Music and Less Talk’ mantra. The line-up includes Mike Perso, Cathy Dinn, David Reyne, Michael Bublé, David Campbell and Richard Wilkins. 

2013 ~ TUMBLR was acquired by Yahoo on the 21st May 2013, for approximately $1.1 billion. www.tumblr.com is ranked No.32 in the World according to www.alexa.com (May 2013).

Today in History for May 21st ~ video presented by the Associated Press…

0325 ~ The 1st Council of Nicea and the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church were held on the 20th May 0325.

1498 ~ Vasco da Gama the Portuguese explorer discovered the sea route to India when he arrived at Kozhikode in India on the 20th May 1498 (previously known as Calicut).

1506 ~ Christopher Columbus the Italian explorer and discoverer of the Americas died on the the 20th May 1506 (born 1451).

1570 ~ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum the first modern atlas was issued by Cartographer Abraham Ortelius on the 20th May 1570. 

1609 ~ Shakespeare’s sonnets were first published in London on the 20th May 1609, perhaps illicitly, by Thomas Thorpe the publisher.

1663 ~ William Bradford the English printer was born on the 20th May 1663 (died 1752).

1726 ~ Francis Cotes the English painter was born on the 20th May 1726 (died 1770).

1759 ~ William Thornton the West Indian born architect was born on the 20th May 1759 (died 1828).

1799 ~ Honoré de Balzac the French novelist was born on the 20th May 1799 (died 1850).

1813 ~ Napoleon Bonaparte led his French troops into the Battle of Bautzen in Saxony, Germany on the 20th May 1813, against the combined armies of Russia and Prussia. The battle ended the next day with a French victory.

1818 ~ William Fargo the American businessman and co-founder of Wells Fargo and American Express (died 1881).

1840 ~ York Minster was badly damaged by fire on the 20th May 1840.

1851 ~ Emile Berliner the German-American inventor that invented the Gramophone record was born on the 20th May 1851 (died 1929).

1873 ~ Levi Strauss & Jacob Davis received a U.S. patent for blue jeans with copper rivets on the 20th May 1873.

1875 ~ The Treaty of the Metre (Metre Convention) was signed by 17 nations on the 20th May 1875, leading to the establishment of the International System of Units.

1882 ~ Sigrid Undset the Norwegian author and Nobel Prize laureate was born on the 20th May 1882 (died 1949).

1883 ~ Krakatoa began to erupt on the 20th May 1883, resulting in the volcano exploding 3 months later, killing more than 36,000 people.

1891 ~ Thomas Edison‘s kinetoscope prototype was first put on public display on the 20th May 1891.

1895 ~ R. J. Mitchell the English aircraft designer of the Supermarine Spitfire was born on the 20th May 1895 (died 1937).

1899 ~ The 1st Traffic ticket in the US was issued on the 20th May 1899, to New York City taxi driver Jacob German was arrested for speeding while driving 12 miles per hour on Lexington Street.

1913 ~ William Reddington Hewlett the American engineer and co-founder of Hewlett-Packard was born on the 20th May 1913 (died 2001).

1916 ~ The Saturday Evening Post published its first cover on the 20th May 1916, with a Norman Rockwell painting (Boy with Baby Carriage).

1920 ~ Betty Driver the English singer, actress and author was born on the 20th May 1920 (died 2011).

1920 ~ XWA the Montreal radio station broadcasted the first regularly scheduled radio programming in North America on the 20th May 1920.

1927 ~ Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York, on the world’s first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean on the 20th May 1927. He touched down at Le Bourget Field in Paris the next day.

1932 ~ Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland to begin the world’s first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean by a female pilot on the 20th May 1932, landing in Ireland the next day.

1940 ~ The Holocaust first prisoners arrived at a new concentration camp at Auschwitz on the 20th May 1940.

1944 ~ JOE COCKER the English singer-songwriter was born on the 20th May 1944.

1944 ~ Dietrich Mateschitz the Austrian businessman and co-founder of Red Bull GmbH was born on the 20th May 1944.

1946 ~ CHER the American singer, actress, producer and director was born on the 20th May 1946. Cher became prominent in 1965 with her husband in their duo known as Sonny & Cher. Cher singing Gypsys, Tramps And Thieves (1971) YouTube video…

1953 ~ Robert Doyle the Australian politician was born on the 20th May 1953.

1954 ~ Guy Hoffman the American drummer from  the Violent Femmes was born on the 20th May 1954. Blister in the Sun YouTube video…

1955 ~ Anton Corbijn the Dutch photographer, music video director, and film director was born Anton Johannes Gerrit Corbijn van Willenswaard  in Strijen in the Netherlands on the 20th May 1955. Anton Corbijn was the creative visual director of Depeche Mode and U2 for almost 3 decades. Some of his works include music videos for Depeche Mode’s Enjoy the Silence (1990), U2’s One (1991), Bryan Adams’ Do I Have to Say the Words? and Nirvana’s Heart-Shaped Box (1993) and others. Anton Corbijn’s official website: www.corbijn.co.uk

1956 ~ Operation Redwing: The first United States airborne hydrogen bomb was dropped over Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean on the 20th May 1956.

1958 ~ Jane Wiedlin the American musician from The Go-Go’s was born on the 20th May 1958.

1970 ~ Louis Theroux the English broadcaster was born on the 20th May 1970.

1983 ~ First publications of the discovery of the HIV virus that causes AIDS were published on the 20th May 1983 in the journal Science by Luc Montagnier.

2011 ~ “Macho Man” Randy Savage the American professional wrestler died on the 20th May 2011 (born 1952).

2012 ~ ROBiN GiBB the singer and songwriter from the BEE GEES died on the 20th day of May in 2012 aged 62. ♪♫ Robin is stayin’ alive in the songs he wrote and sung with his brothers ♪♫… 

2013 ~ Ray Manzarek the American rock musician and founder of The Doors died on the 20th May 2013.

2013 ~ The MOORE TORNANDO hit MOORE, OKLAHOMA CiTY killing over 24 people, including 9 children, and injuring more than 240 others. The violent  EF5 tornado with winds at 340 km/h (210 miles per hour) touched down at 2:45 p.m. CDT (19:45 UTC) west of Newcastle in Oklahoma and stayed on the ground for about 50 minutes over a 27 km (17 mile) path, and 2.1 km (1.3 miles) wide at its peak. This YouTube video s a recording of the local KFOR broadcast of the deadly Moore, Oklahoma tornado from its origination just outside of Newcastle to the final spinning rope nearly 40 minutes later near Lake Stanley Draper…

Today in History for May 20th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…

WORLD METROLOGY DAY is celebrated on the 20th May to celebrate the signature by representatives of 17 nations of the Metre Convention on the 20th May 1875. The Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal application. The original aim of the Metre Convention was for the worldwide uniformity of measurement, which remains as important today as it was in 1875. See the official website: www.WorldMetrologyDay.org

1536 – Anne Boleyn the 2nd wife of Henry VIII of England was beheaded on the 19th May 1536, for adultery, treason and incest.

1861 – Nellie Melba the Australian soprano was born on the 19th May 1861 (died 1931).

1897 – Oscar Wilde was released from Reading Gaol Prison on the 19th May 1897.

1925 – Pol Pot the Cambodian politician and 29th Prime Minister of Cambodia was born on the 19th May 1925 (died 1998).

1925 – Malcolm X the American minister and activist was born on the 19th May 1925 (died 1965).

1938 ~ Herbie Flowers the English musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba was born Brian Keith Flowers on the 19th May 1938. He is a noted member of Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky, and known as one of Britain’s best-known session bass-players, with contributions to recordings by Elton John, David Bowie, Lou Reed, David Essex, Harry Nilsson, Cat Stevens, George Harrison and others.

1945 – Pete Townshend the English singer-songwriter and guitarist  from The Who was born on the 19th May 1945.

1947 ~ David Helfgott the Australian concert pianist was born in Melbourne on the 19th May 1947. David Helfgott’s life was the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Shine, which he was played by Geoffrey Rush. David Helfgott’s offical website: www.DavidHelfgott.com

1949 – Dusty Hill the American singer-songwriter and bass player from ZZ Top was born on the 19th May 1949.

1951 – Joey Ramone the American singer-songwriter from Ramones was born on the 19th May 1951.

1953 ~ Roddy Lorimer the Scottish musician from The Waterboys was born on the 19th May 1953. Roddy Lorimer has also performed with Blur, Gene, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Eric Clapton, Suede, Beyonce, Jamiriquai, Dr John and Kick Horns. YouTube video: The Whole of The Moon (1985) by The Waterboys with Roddy Lorimer…

1954 – Phil Rudd the Australian drummer from AC/DC and Buster Brown was born on the 19th May 1954.

1957 ~ James Reyne the Australian rock musician, singer and songwriter from Australian Crawl was born on the 19th May 1957 in Lagos, Nigeria.

1960 – Yazz the English singer was born on the 19th May 1960.

1962 – A birthday salute to U.S. President John F. Kennedy took place at Madison Square Garden, New York City on the 19th May 1962. The highlight was Marilyn Monroe‘s rendition of Happy Birthday.

1971 – Mars 2 was launched by the Soviet Union on the 19th May 1971.

1972 – Jenny Berggren the Swedish singer-songwriter from Ace of Base was born on the 19th May 1972.

1972 – Claudia Karvan the Australian actress, producer, and screenwriter was born on the 19th May 1972.

1986 – The Firearm Owners Protection Act was signed into law by U.S. President Ronald Reagan on the 19th May 1986.

1988 – Lily Cole the English actress and model was born on the 19th May 1988.

Today in History for May 19th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…

1590 ~ Anne of Denmark was crowned Queen of Scotland on the 17th May 1590.

1673 ~ Louis Joliet & Jacques Marquette began exploring the Mississippi River on the 17th May 1673.

1792 ~ The New York Stock Exchange was formed on the 17th May 1792.

1868 ~ Horace Elgin Dodge the American co-founder of Dodge was born on the 17th May 1868 (died 1920).

1875 ~ Aristides won the first Kentucky Derby on the 17th May 1875.

1889 ~ Dorothy Gibson the American actress and survivor of RMS Titanic was born on the 17th May 1889 (died 1946).

1895 ~ Mary Josephine Ray the Canadian super-centenarian was born on the 17th May 1895 (died 2010).

1900 ~ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz children’s novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow was originally published on the 17th May 1900, by the George M. Hill Company.

1902 ~ The Antikythera mechanism, an ancient mechanical analog computer was discovered by Greek archaeologist Valerios Stais on the 17th May 1902.

1934 ~ Ronald Wayne the American computer scientist and co-founder of Apple Inc. was born on the 17th May 1934.

1936 ~ Dennis Hopper the American actor and director was born on the 17th May 1936 (died 2010).

1942 ~ Taj Mahal the American singer-songwriter was born on the 17th May 1942.

1945 ~ Tony Roche the Australian tennis player was born on the 17th May 1945.

1943 ~ The Dambuster Raids by No. 617 Squadron RAF on German dams were on the 17th May 1943.

1955 ~ Bill Paxton the American actor and director was born on the 17th May 1955.

1956 ~ Sugar Ray Leonard the American boxer and actor was born on the 17th May 1956.

1956 ~ Bob Saget the American comedian, actor, and television host was born on the 17th May 1956.

1956 ~ Dave Sim the Canadian cartoonist was born on the 17th May 1956.

1961 ~ Enya the Irish singer-songwriter and producer was born on the 17th May 1961.

1962 ~ Craig Ferguson the Scottish comedian, actor, and television host was born on the 17th May 1962.

1970 ~ Jordan Knight the American singer-songwriter from New Kids on the Block was born on the 17th May 1970.

1973 ~ The Watergate scandal televised hearings began on the 17th May 1973 in the United States Senate.

1974 ~ Andrea Corr the Irish singer-songwriter and pianist from The Corrs was born on the 17th May 1974.

1975 ~ Jonti Picking the English cartoonist was born on the 17th May 1975.

1984 ~ Pasenger aka Mike Rosenberg the British folk-rock singer-songwriter was born on the 17th May 1984. YouTube video: Holes (2013) Passenger..

1988 ~ Nikki Reed the American actress was born on the 17th May 1988.

1990 ~ Homosexuality was eliminated by the General Assembly of the World Health Organization from the list of psychiatric diseases on the 17th May 1990.

2004 ~ Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.

2004 ~ Tony Randall the American actor died on the 17th May 2004 (born 1920).

2012 ~ DONNA SUMMER the American singer-songwriter died on the 17th day of May in 2012 aged 63.

Today in History for May 17th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…

1770 ~ Marie Antoinette aged 14 married Louis-Auguste aged 15 on the 16th May 1770. Louis-Auguste later became the king of France.

1827 ~ Pierre Cuypers the Dutch architect that designed the Rijksmuseum was born on the 16th May 1827 (died 1921).

1831 ~ David E. Hughes the English co-inventor of the microphone was born on the 16th May 1831 (died 1900).

1845 ~ Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov the Russian microbiologist and Nobel Prize laureate was born on the 16th May 1845 (died 1916).

1866 ~ The HALF DiME coin was eliminated by the U.S. Congress on the 16th May 1866, when it was replaced with the five cent piece, or nickel.

1888 ~ Royal Rife the American inventor was born on the 16th May 1888 (died 1971).

1891 ~ The International Electro-Technical Exhibition opened in Frankfurt, Germany on the 16th May 1891, and featured the world’s first long distance transmission of high-power, known as three-phase electrical current.

1898 ~ Tamara de Lempicka the Polish painter was born on the 16th May 1898 (died 1980).

1905 ~ Henry Fonda the American actor was born on the 16th May 1905 (died 1982).

1919 ~ Liberace the American singer and pianist was born on the 16th May 1919 (died 1987).

1920 ~ Pope Benedict XV canonized Joan of Arc on the 16th May 1920, in Rome.

1929 ~ The 1st ACADEMY AWARDS were handed out on the 16th day of May in 1929.

1947 ~ Barbara Lee the American singer  from The Chiffons was born on the 16th May 1947 (died 1992).

1951 ~ The first regularly scheduled transatlantic flights began between Idlewild Airport (now John F Kennedy International Airport) in New York City and Heathrow Airport in London on the 16th May 1951, operated by El Al Israel Airlines.

1953 ~ Pierce Brosnan the Irish actor was born on the 16th May 1953.

1955 ~ Debra Winger the American actress was born on the 16th May 1955.

1960 ~ THEODORE MAiMAN operated the 1st optical laser on the 16th day of May in 1960, at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California. 

1966 ~ BOB DYLAN released the first ever double album in popular music history on the 16th May 1966.

1966 ~ The Communist Party of China issued the May 16 Notice on the 16th May 1966, marking the beginning of the Cultural Revolution.

1966 ~ Janet Jackson the American singer was born on the 16th May 1966.

1969 ~ Tracey Gold the American actress best known as Carol Seaver on the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains was born on the 16th May 1969. Tracey Gold’s official website: www.TheTraceyGold.com | Tracey Gold’s Twitter: www.Twitter.com/TheTraceyGold | Tracey Gold’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheTraceyGold | YouTube video: Growing Pains Intro…

1970 ~ Danielle Spencer the Australian singer-songwriter and actress was born on the 16th May 1970.

1973 ~ Tori Spelling the American actress and author was born on the 16th May 1973.

1969 ~ VENERA 5 the Soviet spaceprobe landed on Venus on the 16th day of May in 1969.

1975 ~ JUNKO TABEi became the 1st woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest on the 16th day of May in 1975.

1986 ~ Megan Fox the American actress was born on the 16th May 1986.

1988 ~ United States’ SURGEON GENERAL C. EVERETT KOOP stated that the addictive properties of nicotine are similar to those of heroin and cocaine, on the 16th day of May in 1988.

1990 ~ Sammy Davis, Jr. the American singer, dancer, and actor died on the 16th May 1990 aged 64 (born 8th December 1925). YouTube video: Sammy Davis Jnr performing Mr Bojangles in Germany in 1985…

1990 ~ Jim Henson the American puppeteer and creator of The Muppets died on the 16th May 1990 (born 1936).

2002 ~ Alec Campbell the Australian soldier died on the 16th May 2002 (born 1899). Alec Campbell was the final surviving Australian participant of the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War.

2007 ~ Nicolas Sarkozy took office as President of France on the 16th May 2007.

2011 ~ STS-134 (ISS assembly flight ULF6) launched from the Kennedy Space Center on the 25th and final flight for Space Shuttle Endeavour, on the 16th day of May in 2011.

Today in History for May 16th ~ video presented by the Associated Press… 

1793 ~ Diego Marín Aguilera made one of the first attempted manned flights on the 15th May 1793, flying a glider for about 360 meters, at a height of 5 to 6 meters.

1811 ~ Paraguay declared independence from Spain on the 15th May 1811.

1817 ~ The first private mental health hospital in the United States was opened on the 15th May 1817, originally known as the Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and now known as Friends Hospital.

1836 ~ Francis Baily observed Baily’s beads during an annular eclipse on the 15th May 1836.

1858 ~ The Royal Opera House opened in Covent Garden, London on the 15th May 1858.

1905 ~ LAS VEGAS, NEVADA was founded when 110 acres (0.45 km²) were auctioned off on the 15th day of May in 1905.

1928 ~ MiCKEY MOUSE premiered in his first cartoon, Plane Crazy on the 15th day of May in 1928.

1935 ~ The Moscow Metro was opened to public on the 15th May 1935.

1937 ~ Madeleine Albright the Czech-American politician and 64th United States Secretary of State was born on the 15th May in 1937.

1940 ~ McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California on the 15th May 1940.

1947 ~ GRAEHAM GOBLE the Australian musician, singer, songwriter and record producer, best known as a founding member of LRB aka LiTTLE RiVER BAND was born on the 15th day of May in 1947. Graeham Goble wrote many Top 10 singles with LRB, including “Reminiscing”, “Lady”, “The Other Guy” and others. From 1978 to 1980 Graeham was also part of BiRTLES & GOBLE, producing and performing great songs such as “I’m Coming Home” in 1979. 

1948 ~ BRiAN ENO the British musician and record producer was born on the 15th day of May in 1948.

1952 ~ PHiL SEYMOUR the American singer-songwriter and musician was born on the 15th day of May in 1952 (died in 1993 aged 41).

1953 ~ MiKE OLDFiELD the British composer was born on the 15th day of May in 1953.

1960 ~ RHONDA BURCHMORE the Australian Entertainer was born on the 15th day of May in 1960.

1961 ~ MELLE MEL the American musician and one of the pioneers of old school hip hop as lead rapper and main songwriter for GRANDMASTER FLASH & The FURiOUS FiVE was born on the 15th day of May in 1961.

1962 ~ LiSA CURRY~KENNY the Australian Ironwoman was born on the 15th day of May in 1962.

1963 ~ Project Mercury launched the final Mercury mission, Mercury-Atlas 9 with astronaut L. Gordon Cooper on board on the 15th May 1963, with him becoming the first American to spend more than a day in space.

1967 ~ LAURA HiLLENBRAND the American author was born on the 15th day of May in 1967.

1978 ~ Caroline Dhavernas the Canadian actress was born on the 15th day of May in 1978.

1978 ~ Sir ROBERT MENZiES the 12th Prime Minister of Australia died on the 15th day of May in 1978 (b. 1894).

1981 ~ JAMiE~LYNN SiGLER the American actress was born on the 15th day of May in 1981.

1982 ~ Jessica Sutta the American singer-songwriter and dancer from Pussycat Dolls was born on the 15th day of May in 1982.

1992 ~ iNTERNATiONAL DAY of FAMiLiES was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 15th day of May in 1992.

1996 ~ BiRDY the English musician and singer was born Jasmine Van den Bogaerde on the 15th May 1996 in Lymington, Hampshire, UK. Official Birdy website: www.officialBirdy.com | Facebook verified: www.facebook.com/BirdyMusic | Twitter verified: www.twitter.com/officialBirdy | verified Birdy Spotify | Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/officialBirdy | MySpace: www.MySpace.com/birdy | YouTube channel: www.YouTube.com/user/OfficialBirdy | YouTube video: Birdy ~ Skinny Love (2011) [Official Music Video] Skinny Love (2008) by Bon Iver (Bon Iver Skinny Love video) performed by Birdy from her self titled debut album….

2009 ~ BUD TiNGWELL the Australian actor died on the 15th day of May in 2009 aged 86.

2010 ~ JESSiCA WATSON the Australian sailor became the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo on the 15th day of May in 2010. Jessica Watson departed Sydney on the 18th of October in 2009, heading eastbound over the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Jessica returned to Sydney on the 15th May in 2010, three days before her 17th birthday. She was named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year, and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia the following year year in 2012. Jessica Watson’s website: www.JessicaWatson.com.au & Jessica Watson’s official Facebook page

197? ~ LiAM FiRMAGER the Australian movie director was born on the 15th day of May (year undisclosed). Liam Firmager is best known for writing, producing and directing Ricky! The Movie (2010) and Sticks & Stones (2008). Liam was also the director of Remembering Nigel (2009 film written by Frank Howson) and The Julian Paradox (2010 movie based on the book by Kurt Otto Peterson).