Today in History

[Chandra Amaya]

I watched the Seinfeld finale and remember watching Mash with mom while she cried. I think she watched cheers as well, but Mash was her show. I can't believe it was 98 when seinfeld aired. I'm getting old!

[goofywife]

1972: Governor George Wallace is shot
Alabama Governor George Wallace was shot today while campaigning for President of the United States. Although a bullet was lodged in his lower spine, leaving Wallace paralyzed, he vowed to continue his campaign.

On May 16, 1972, The Daily Kennebec Journal described the event, reporting: "The governor had just finished a speech at the shopping complex 15 miles from Washington. He stepped from behind the podium on the rostrum to exchange handshakes with some of the 1,000 gathered to hear him. A man wearing Wallace buttons pushed through the crowd, asking the governor to shake hands. When he got near enough, the man stuck a gun in Wallace's stomach and fired. Wallace fell backward, hit four times."

NOTE : The assailant, Arthur Bremer, was arrested and sentenced to 53 years in prison. Wallace did continue his presidential campaign, but eventually lost the Democratic Party's nomination to Senator George McGovern of South Dakota.

1957: Britain tests first hydrogen bomb
"British newspapers declared today Britain's first hydrogen bomb test had restored the nation's independence of the United States and increased its stature as a world power. Asian nations quickly expressed regret at the blast, exploded yesterday in the Christmas Island area of the Pacific. But U.S. officials welcomed the news as contributing to Allied strength by making Britain the world's third full-fledged nuclear power, along with Russia and the United States," explained The Odessa American on May 16, 1957. NOTE: This test, known as Grapple, exploded with 300 kilotons of force, much short of the expected one megaton. Even so, Britain proclaimed the test a success.

1942: Gas rationing goes into effect
In order to aid in the war effort, the United States began rationing gasoline today in 17 states along the East coast. "New Yorkers already were shopping for new ways to get around, and it appeared likely that more and more bicycles and even roller-skates would be put to use," informed The Galveston Daily News on May 16, 1942. "From all parts of the area affected by rationing, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. [yesterday], came reports that gasoline pumps were running dry, partly as a result of a last-minute rush by motorists to stock up before the restrictions went into effect."

1918: Airmail service begins
Thousands of people, including President Woodrow Wilson, cheered the first flight of U.S. airmail service today. "The great machine mounted into the air piloted by Lieut. George L. Boyle, of Fort Scott, Kan., cut its way through a light, low hanging haze, then soared away on the first lap of its journey to Philadelphia and New York," informed The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel on May 15, 1918. NOTE: The inaugural flight carried 5,000 letters and cut the New York to Washington mail delivery time down from 32 to three hours

1911: Standard Oil declared a monopoly
The United States Supreme Court declared Standard Oil an unreasonable monopoly today. The oil company drew a lot of criticism for its business tactics, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice to sue the company for violating the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. "From the very beginning, the business and the legal worlds recognized that the suit put the Sherman anti-trust law to the most severe test to which it had been subjected. The law has been on the statute book since 1890 and has been the basis of some eighteen suits finally passed upon by the supreme court of the United States," reported The Fort Wayne Sentinel on May 16, 1911. NOTE: As a result of the verdict, Standard Oil was ordered to dissolve into 34 companies.

[goofywife]

1938: Fire destroys Terminal Hotel
The Terminal Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, caught fire today, in a disaster that killed more than 25 people. Within 30 minutes, the blaze had engulfed the five-story building, giving many guests little chance to escape.

"The fire was described by Fire Chief O.J. Parker as 'the deadliest in the history of Atlanta.' Collapse of the roof, plunging debris through charred floors to the basement, cut off hope of survival for any who were trapped. Only the walls were left standing," reported the Charleston Daily Mail on May 16, 1938. "Hotel attaches said 'at least fifty' were registered when the flames broke out with an explosion in the basement kitchen shortly after 3 a.m. (EST)."

NOTE: Fourteen men who were originally believed to have perished in the fire managed to escape by sliding down a rope which was hanging from a painter's scaffold.

1991: Queen addresses U.S. Congress
Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the United States Congress today. "'I do hope you can see me today from where you are,' said the diminutive queen, making gentle reference to a protocol gaffe at the White House earlier in the visit when her face was hidden by microphones and one of her trademark hats. The House chamber rocked with laughter and applause, and the members of Congress and diplomats rose to a standing ovation," explained the Daily Herald on May 17, 1991.

1975: First woman climbs Mt. Everest
Japanese mountain climber Junko Tabei reached the summit of Mount Everest today, becoming the first woman to climb the world's highest peak. "Mrs. Junko Tabei, packing a limited stock of gear, braved bad weather to reach the top of 29,028-foot Mt. Everest at noon Friday to end a 22-year male domain," informed The Coshocton Tribune on May 18, 1975. "The achievement was made more remarkable by the fact that she and her party was hit by an avalanche May 4 at their second high altitude camp pitched at 21,000 feet." NOTE: Tabei's climb made her the 36th person to reach the summit.

1960: Summit in Paris collapses
At a world summit in Paris today, Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev came to verbal blows with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower over American U-2 spy plane flights over the Soviet Union. Khrushchev demanded the flights stop and withdrew his invitation for Eisenhower to visit the Soviet Union the following month. "The summit conference collapsed in its first session today, with the Soviet Union and the United States accusing each other of torpedoing the historic session called in an effort to ease world tensions," reported The Daily Times-News on May 16, 1960. "Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev bitterly attacking U.S. policy, called for a six-month delay and said a later U.S. administration may understand the situation if the present administration can't."

1868: President Johnson is acquitted
U.S. President Andrew Johnson was acquitted today during his impeachment trial. Thirty-five senators voted "guilty" and 19 voted "not guilty," just one vote shy of the necessary two-thirds required to remove Johnson from office. "The President might go forth nominally acquitted, but he would go forth nevertheless a blasted public functionary," informed The Davenport Daily Gazette on May 18, 1868. NOTE: Three months earlier, the House had passed a resolution to impeach Johnson for his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. Members of Congress alleged that the president had violated the act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office.

[goofywife]

1974: Police raid SLA hideout

Police today raided a Los Angeles home, seeking leaders of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) , a terrorist group known kidnapping newspaper heiress Patty Hearst. Group members had also committed several murders and bank robberies, as well as other acts of violence.

"Five bodies were found inside a south-central Los Angeles house after flak-jacketed police hoping to trap members of the Symbionese Liberation Army waged an hour-long gun battle with those inside," reported The Capital on May 18, 1974. "Hundreds of police and FBI agents had massed in the south-central Los Angeles area in hopes of trapping SLA members believed to have taken refuge in the area. The SLA claims responsibility for the Feb. 4 kidnapping of Miss Hearst."

NOTE: During the exchange of gunfire, the house was virtually destroyed by a blaze. Patty Hearst, who was found in September of 1975 and later convicted of armed robbery, was not inside the home during the raid.

1992: Lawrence Welk dies

"Lawrence Welk, the smiling maestro whose danceable 'champagne music' entertained millions of Americans during his 30 years on television, has died. He was 89," informed The Gettysburg Times on May 19, 1992. "The affable, German-accented bandleader toured the country for 25 years early in his career without making much impression in the music business. But from the time he appeared on Los Angeles television in 1951, his lilting music attracted an adoring audience, mostly those of mature years. He appeared on television regularly until 1982."

1978: Charlie Chaplin's stolen coffin is found

The body of Charlie Chaplin was found today, more than two months after it was taken from its burial spot and held for ransom. "The two men who stole Charlie Chaplin's body said they got the idea from news reports about grave robbers in Italy who collected ransom for the body of a prominent Italian," reported the Bucks County Courier Times on May 18, 1978. "The 300-pound oak coffin containing the body of the famed film comedian was found yesterday buried in a cornfield 10 miles from the village cemetery of Corsier-Sur-Vevey where Chaplin was buried Dec. 27. Police said the body had not been touched."

1973: Watergate probe begins

The United States Senate began televised hearings on the Watergate scandal today. "A tribunal of seven senators opened historic hearings into the Watergate scandal, and an aide in President Nixon's reelection campaign testified there was no doubt that final political authority rested with the White House," reported the Syracuse Herald Journal on May 17, 1973. "The leadoff witness, Robert C. Odle Jr., who served as director of administration at the Committee for the Re-Election of the President, said he did not know of political sabotage or surveillance by that organization." NOTE: The hearings would eventually reveal corruption within the highest levels of the U.S. government and result in Nixon’s resignation.

1954: U.S. outlaws segregation in schools

The United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously today in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, outlawing racial segregation in public schools. The decision overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that created the "separate but equal" justification, which established the segregation of public facilities. "Speaking for a unanimous court, Chief Justice Earl Warren said education must be available to all on an equal basis," explained The Charleston Daily Mail on May 17, 1954. "The decision, a sweeping victory for Negroes, is probably the most important in U.S. race relations since the famous Dred Scott decision of 1857, which held that a Negro was not a citizen. The Civil War reversed that decision."

[Janet]

ooooohh these were all interesting to read.

[goofywife]

1980: Mount St. Helens erupts

Mount St. Helens, a volcano in southwestern Washington, erupted today, spewing gas and hot ash into the earth's atmosphere. The eruption killed 57 people and destroyed trees and wildlife in the area.

"Mount St. Helens blew off 1,300 feet of its top Sunday in violent eruptions which sent hot mud, ash and gases raging down its slopes," reported The Chronicle Telegram on May 19, 1980. "Heavy ash, boiling up as high as 10 miles from the top of the mountain, drifted eastward today, blotting out the sky and leaving gritty, slippery deposits on roads as far east as Montana and Wyoming, 500 miles away. The ash turned day into night in most of eastern Washington."

NOTE: The volcano began showing signs of activity almost two months before the devastating eruption. Before 1980, Mount St. Helens had remained silent since a small eruption occurred in 1857, 123 years earlier.

1969: Apollo 10 blasts off

Apollo 10, the fourth manned Apollo mission, was launched from the Kennedy Space Center today. "Apollo 10 hurtled away Sunday on its lonely mission to skim over the craters of the moon, the last daring test for a lunar landing this summer. The three astronauts beamed back brilliant and unprecedented color television pictures of the earth, hanging 26,000 miles away like a blue and white ball," explained The Times Recorder one day after the launch. "Apollo 10 provided the final dress rehearsal for the Apollo 11 manned landing on the moon in July." NOTE: The mission was described as a dress rehearsal because the crew tested the lunar module while in orbit.

1933: Roosevelt creates Tennessee Valley Authority

As a part of his New Deal policies, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act into law today. "Under the new law, the president will appoint a board of three as a 'Tennessee valley authority' to manage industrial and agricultural development of the valley," informed the Winnipeg Free Press on May 19, 1933. "Early employment of thousands of men is hoped for by the administration in putting the vast project into operation."

1927: Explosions kill students in Bath

After killing his wife and setting fire to his farm, school board member Andrew Kehoe set off dynamite at a school in Bath, Michigan today. Kehoe was allegedly upset over a property tax increase to fund the school building. "Explosion of dynamite mysteriously planted under the foundations of the Bath Consolidated grade school here today, took an estimated toll of between 30 and 40 young lives and completely demolished the west wing of the two story brick structure," reported The Warren Tribune on May 18, 1927. "Work of the physicians and nurses was hampered by the heartbreaking search of parents for their children. Parents went from group to group and the general rescue activity was frequently interrupted by the sobbing of a mother who had found what she feared."

1910: Earth passes through tail of Halley's Comet

The Earth passed through the tail of Halley's Comet today. "Old earth entered into the midst of the comet's tenuous tail at 2 o'clock this afternoon if the astronomers have not been handing out false promises," explained The Fort Wayne Sentinel on May 18, 1910. "Tonight at 10 o'clock the head and tail of the comet and the earth and the sun will be on a direct line." However, just one day after this report was printed, the same newspaper reported that "Mother Earth fell down on the job and did not go through the comet's tail," since nothing significant seemed to happen.

[goofywife]

I was in Basic training at Ft Jackson SC when this happened. We had a girl in the barracks from that area.

[teri88]

Hey, where is May 19th? I miss my Today In History!

[Dobie]

Hello - what happened to the last 2 days?

[katcarasella]

She got tangled up in one of Katy's Bows.

[goofywife]

Sorry Ladies, I have my regular job, one web site and 400 bows on my plate. But I am catching up!

[goofywife]

1994: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis dies
Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died today of cancer at the age of 64. Jackie, as she was popularly called, was renowned for her grace and sophistication. She married John F. Kennedy in 1953 when she was 24. Five years after his assassination, she became the wife of shipping mogul Aristotle Onassis.

"Her exquisite style epitomized a presidency; her stoic dignity carried the nation through the assassination that cut it short," reported the Daily Herald on May 20, 1994. "And in the years that followed Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' glamour sustained the tattered myth of an American Camelot. There were women who had more money, more fame or more class, but there was nobody like her. In the end Jackie O was more than a thin, beautiful socialite with a soft little voice. She was more than the wife and widow of a president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and a Greek tycoon, Aristotle Onassis. She married fame and wealth, but earned respect and admiration."

NOTE: From 1978 until her death, Jackie worked as an editor for Doubleday. She and Kennedy had two children, John Jr. and Caroline. John Jr. died on July 16, 1999, when his plane went down into the ocean off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.

1982: Sophia Loren imprisoned for tax evasion
Actress Sophia Loren began serving a 30-day prison sentence in Italy today, after a court found her guilty of failing to report five million lire on her income tax return for 1970. "I'm very worried about the time I will have to spend in jail," she told reporters at the Rome airport in 1982. While Loren filed a petition for pardon with President Sandro Pertini, saying her accountants made an error, the actress and her husband, producer Carlo Ponti, had been under investigation for tax and currency violations for quite some time. NOTE: In 1977, finance police nabbed Loren before she caught a flight to Paris and detained her for nine hours at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Prior to that, 10 Italian police agents searched the couple's villa in Rome for seven hours without giving a reason for the search.

1971: Soviet Union launches Mars 2
The Soviet Union launched its second Mars probe today. The first mission was launched in 1962, but failed to reach the Red Planet. "A five-ton Soviet rocket hurled through space today on a six-month unmanned voyage to Mars. It was the Soviets' second expedition to explore the Red Planet. At Cape Kennedy, America's Martian probe, Mariner, sat on the launch pad, its firing postponed indefinitely for the second time since May 8 for additional tests on a control unit," Bucks County Courier Times reported on May 20, 1971.

1962: Kennedy ‘Birthday Salute’More than 15,000 people gathered in New York’s Madison Square Garden for the 42nd birthday of President John F. Kennedy. Marilyn Monroe, in a sheer dress with 2,500 rhinestones sewn in, sang a now-famous sultry version of “Happy Birthday to You.” “As Miss Monroe, in a slinky white dress, sang her version of ‘Happy Birthday,’ two chefs carried around the arena a five-foot birthday cake, sparkling with 45 blue candles. The President actually won’t be 45 until May 29,” explained the Independent Record on May 20, 1962.

1897: Oscar Wilde set free
Playwright Oscar Wilde was set free today after serving two years in Reading Gaol Prison on charges of indecency. The North Adams Transcript noted, "Oscar Wilde, sentenced May 25, 1895, was released from prison today. He goes to Paris but will return and engage in literary work over his own signature. One of his first acts on regaining freedom was to refuse £1,000 for the story of his prison experiences." NOTE: Wilde wrote a letter entitled De Profundis to former lover Lord Alfred Douglas while in prison, and later wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol about his experience there.

[goofywife]

1927: Lindbergh begins trans-Atlantic flight
Aviator Charles Lindbergh attempted a non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean today in a gray monoplane. Lindbergh began his flight at Roosevelt Field in Long Island shortly before 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

"Government vessels and steamships are watching for the intrepid American, but are not expected to sight him until he swings his airplane off the coast of Newfoundland," reported the Oakland Tribune on May 20, 1927.

NOTE: After flying 33 ½ hours, Lindbergh arrived at Le Bourget Field in France to become the first man ever to fly solo from New York to Paris.

1989: Comedian Gilda Radner dies of cancer
Gilda Radner, an original star of Saturday Night Live, died of cancer today at the age of 42. "As the obnoxious, nasal-voiced TV news commentator Roseanna Roseannadana, her catch-phrase was 'It's always something,' which became the title of her book on cancer," explained the Chronicle Telegram on May 21, 1989.

1932: Earhart takes off for Europe
Amelia Earhart Putnam began her historic solo flight across the Atlantic today on the anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's famous flight. "Lindbergh's was the first solo flight across the Atlantic. The woman flier was the first trans-Atlantic woman passenger. She hopes to be the first woman to make the solo flight," reported The Vidette-Messenger on May 20, 1932. NOTE: While Earhart did not land in Paris as planned, she successfully made it across the Atlantic alone.

1902: U.S. ends occupation of Cuba
"Secretary of State Hay took final steps today of acquainting the nations that the United States government has redeemed its pledge to make free the people of Cuba," informed in the Davenport Daily Republican on May 21, 1902. "This was done by cabling every capital where there is a resident, either ambassador or minister for the United States, of an identical note informing our representatives that the military occupation ceased and that an independent government, republican in form, had been inaugurated there, under the presidency of Tomas Estrada Palma."

[goofywife]

1932: Amelia Earhart lands in Ireland
Amelia Earhart Putnam became the first woman to make a successful trans-Atlantic solo flight after she landed her black and red monoplane in Northern Ireland today. While she originally planned to arrive in Paris, she was forced to cut her flight short due to mechanical

"Mrs. Putnam said she decided to land in Ireland because of a slight leakage of gasoline, she feared she might not be able to reach Paris without a mishap and elected to make a safe landing," reported the New Castle News on May 21, 1932.

NOTE: According to newspaper reports from 1932, Earhart immediately telephoned London after landing in Ireland in order to get a message to her husband, George Palmer Putnam, about her success. Earhart's achievement came on the fifth anniversary of the trans-Atlantic flight of Col. Charles A. Lindbergh.

1972: Michelangelo's Pieta is damaged
Michelangelo's famous sculpture Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City was damaged today after mentally disturbed Laszlo Toth attacked it with a hammer. "The statue, completed by Michelangelo in 1500, was shipped to New York World's Fair in April 1964, reportedly insured for $10 million against damage in transit. After its return to the Vatican Pope Paul VI declared that it never again would leave its place in St. Peter's," informed the Independent read on May 22, 1972. NOTE: Toth was not charged with the crime, but instead committed to a psychiatric institution for two years.

1945: Humphrey Bogart marries Lauren Bacall
Hollywood's Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart married today during a simple ceremony on a farm in Ohio. "Miss Bacall recited the vows, her voice a little more husky than usual. Bogart, on his fourth trip to the altar, spoke softly but with precision," explained The Fresno Bee Republican on May 21, 1945. NOTE: The couple remained married until Bogart’s death in 1957.

1927: Lindbergh arrives in Paris
Aviator Charles Lindbergh arrived at Le Bourget Field in France today after flying 33 1/2 hours solo from New York. "He was the first man ever to fly from New York to Paris and as the wheels of Lindbergh's monoplane touched the ground the dream of airmen that the North American and European continents should be linked in non-stop airplane flight was realized," reported the Stevens Point Daily Journal on May 21, 1927.

1917: Fire devastates Atlanta
A horrific fire destroyed much of Atlanta today as flames engulfed almost 2,000 homes in 75 blocks. "It was the greatest fire in Atlanta's history since civil war days when General Sherman, terming this city the backbone of the confederacy, decreed it must be burned," explained The La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press on May 22, 1917. NOTE: The fire, which started with in a stack of burning mattresses, only resulted in one death: a woman who suffered a heart attack after watching her home burn to the ground.

[teri88]

thanks Michelle!