The Legendary Frank Sinatra Passes Away
Frank Sinatra, one of the most influential and popular American musical artists of the 20th century, died on May 14, 1998. Known for his smooth voice and charismatic stage presence, Sinatra’s career spanned five decades, reshaping jazz and pop music. Beyond his musical impact, Sinatra was also known for his film career and his role […]
Lewis and Clark Set Out on Their Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase, began its journey westward from St. Louis, Missouri, on May 14, 1804. Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, this expedition aimed to explore the newly acquired western portion of the United States and to find a practical route across the […]
Early Smallpox Vaccine is Tested
On May 14, 1796, Edward Jenner, an English physician, tested his hypothesis that cowpox could protect against smallpox by inoculating James Phipps, a young boy, with material taken from cowpox sores. This experiment proved successful, leading to the development of the first vaccine. Jenner’s pioneering work not only introduced the concept of vaccination but also […]
Pope John Paul II Shot
Pope John Paul II was shot and critically wounded by Mehmet Ali Ağca, a Turkish gunman, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on May 13, 1981. The assassination attempt shocked the world and deeply affected the Catholic community. Pope John Paul II’s remarkable recovery and his subsequent forgiveness of his assailant were widely admired […]
Vice President Nixon Attacked in Venezuela
Vice President Richard Nixon faced a violent mob attack while on a goodwill tour in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 13, 1958. The attack was a stark demonstration of anti-American sentiment in Latin America during a period of heightened Cold War tensions and U.S. interventions in Latin American politics. The incident prompted a reassessment of American […]
U.S. Congress Declares War on Mexico
On May 13, 1846, the U.S. Congress officially declared war on Mexico, initiating the U.S.-Mexican War. This conflict stemmed from the annexation of Texas and the disputes over its border, as well as American desires to acquire lands in what are now California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. The war significantly altered the […]
Bob Dylan’s Stand on “The Ed Sullivan Show”
Bob Dylan, then a rising folk singer, famously walked out on a scheduled performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on May 12, 1963. Dylan had planned to perform “Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues,” a satirical song about the Red Scare and the John Birch Society, but was asked by the show’s producers to choose a […]
Tragedy at the Mille Miglia Race
The 1957 Mille Miglia, a popular and prestigious car race in Italy, ended in horror when a Ferrari driven by Spanish race car driver Alfonso de Portago blew a tire and crashed into the crowd, killing himself, his co-driver, and eleven spectators, including five children. This catastrophic event led to the permanent cancellation of the […]
The Tragic End of the Lindbergh Kidnapping
On May 12, 1932, the Lindbergh kidnapping reached a tragic conclusion when the body of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the kidnapped son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh, was found dead near their home in New Jersey. The child, only 20 months old, had been abducted from his crib ten weeks […]
The Passing of Bob Marley
Reggae superstar Bob Marley passed away on May 11, 1981, at the age of 36, after battling cancer. Marley’s death marked the end of a brief but impactful career that saw him rise from the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, to international stardom. His music, imbued with messages of peace, love, and resistance against oppression, left […]