This Day in History

It's helpful to look back at our past to understand why we are where we are today. Sometimes it's just entertaining and brings back memories. At first, I intended to focus on just one event, but I recognized that many of the events I scanned might be of interest or could have affected us. So, I am broadening "This Day in History" to several events that happened around today. Most of these were obtained from On-This-Day and The History Channel, whose programming would be mostly empty if not for Hitler and the Nazis.

Of course, I have added some editorial comments and you should feel free to add your comments or reminders of other events.

May 19, 1962 - Politics and Hollywood collide when Marilyn Monroe sings "Happy Birthday" in her breathy voice to President Kennedy for his 45th birthday at a Madison Square Garden fundraiser. It raised more than funds, perhaps including the ire of Jackie Kennedy which, it is rumored, whom the president calmed by telling her that he "did not have sex with that woman." It was Monroe's last major public appearance before her tragic death--which opened up uneasy questions about her relationships. (Kennedy's actual birthdate is May 29, 1917.)

May 19, 1910 Cy Young (Cleveland Indians) got his 500th win. In an ironic twist of fate, he did not win the Cy Young Award that year.

May 22, 1900 - The Associated Press was incorporated as a non-profit news cooperative in New York.

May 22, 1967 - "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" premiered on PBS. Sudden surge in sales of sweaters and slippers occur.

May 22, 1992 - Johnny Carson hosted NBC's "Tonight Show" for the last time. He had been host for 30 years.

May 23, 1827 - The first nursery school in the U.S. was established in New York City. Democrats demand government and businesses should pay the cost.

May 23, 1934 - In Bienville Parish, LA, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were killed by Texas Rangers. The bank robbers were riding in a stolen Ford Deluxe. That's Texas justice, even if it was in Louisiana--and, it worked.

May 24, 1980 - Iran rejected a call by the World Court in The Hague to release American hostages. France, Germany, and Russia call for the U.S. to be patient and let diplomacy work. Carter ignores them with a failed military rescue. Ronald Reagan scares the pants off Iran and obtains release moments after he is sworn in.

May 24, 1994 - The four men convicted of bombing the New York's World Trade Center were each sentenced to 240 years in prison. President Clinton declares that we are now free of terrorism and no further preventative action is needed.

May 25, 1787 - The Constitutional convention opened at Philadelphia with George Washington presiding. Washington, John Adams, and James Madison decide that the Constitution would only need to imply abortion rights and gay marriages without specifically having to state that.

May 25, 1935 - Babe Ruth hit his final homerun, his 714th, and set a record that would stand for 39 years. Steriods comes into use 39 years later. (With no disrespect or intended connection to Hank Aaron.)

May 25, 1961 - America was asked by U.S. President Kennedy to work toward putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade.

May 25, 1977 - "Star Wars Episode IV- A New Hope" opened and became the largest grossing film to date. Nerds celebrate by dressing up as movie characters and anxiously anticipate the final episode in 2005.

May 26, 1647 - A new law banned Catholic priests from the colony of Massachusetts. The penalty was banishment or death for a second offense. Liberals also criticized the new Pope.

May 26, 1836 - The U.S. House of Representatives adopted what has been called the Gag Rule. Democrats disgruntled as it limits debate.

May 26, 1994 - Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley were married in the Dominican Republic. They were divorced in January of 1996. Elvis turned over in his grave and young boys were crushed.

May 27, 1647 - Achsah Young, a resident of Windsor, CT, was executed for being a "witch." It was the first recorded American execution of a "witch." First rejection of diversity stand by liberals.

May 27, 1937 - The Golden Gate Bridge was opened to the public.

May 28, 1987 - Mathias Rust, a 19-year-old West German pilot, landed a private plane in Moscow's Red Square after evading Soviet air defenses. He was released August 3, 1988. Jane Fonda must not have been manning their anti-aircraft stations.
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That's it. Add your comments and other famous events to this.