Death of Helen Keller
Helen Keller, an American author, political activist, and lecturer, died on June 1, 1968. Despite losing her sight and hearing due to an illness at a very young age, Keller overcame significant disabilities to become a leading humanitarian of the 20th century. She was an advocate for people with disabilities, a campaigner for civil rights, […]
Birth of Marilyn Monroe
Norma Jeane Mortenson, who would become known worldwide as Marilyn Monroe, was born on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California. Monroe rose to fame in the 1950s and early 1960s, becoming a major sex symbol and a Hollywood icon. Her roles in films like “Some Like It Hot” and “The Seven Year Itch” left […]
BBC Bans “God Save the Queen” by the Sex Pistols
On May 31, 1977, the BBC officially banned the song “God Save the Queen” by the punk rock band the Sex Pistols because of its controversial lyrics, which criticized the British monarchy and the social norms of the time. The ban itself became a symbol of the cultural clash between the rebellious spirit of punk […]
The Tulsa Race Massacre
The Tulsa Race Massacre began on May 31, 1921, when mobs of white residents, some deputized and given weapons by city officials, attacked black residents and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This affluent black community, known as “Black Wall Street,” was burned to the ground, resulting in the deaths of up to […]
Big Ben Chimes for the First Time
On May 31, 1859, Big Ben, the great bell located in the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, rang out over the city for the first time. The bell is part of a striking and chiming clock set known for its accuracy and massive bell. It has since […]
Publication of “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
Gabriel García Márquez’s masterpiece, “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” was first published in Argentina on May 30, 1967. This novel introduced the world to Magical Realism, blending the real with the fantastic to tell the multi-generational story of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo. The book became an instant classic, profoundly influencing […]
Andrew Jackson’s Fatal Duel
The future seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, killed Charles Dickinson in a duel on May 30, 1806. The duel arose from a horse racing bet and an ensuing insult to Jackson’s wife. Jackson, who received a bullet near his heart, managed to stay standing long enough to kill Dickinson with his return […]
The Martyrdom of Joan of Arc
On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc, a peasant girl who became a French military leader inspired by visionary religious experiences, was burned at the stake for heresy in Rouen, France. At just 19, she was executed after a politically motivated trial overseen by an ecclesiastical court. Joan’s martyrdom became a symbol of resilience and […]
Danica Patrick Makes History at the Indy 500
Danica Patrick became the first woman to lead the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2005. Her performance in one of auto racing’s most prestigious events not only broke gender barriers but also placed her firmly in the spotlight of a sport traditionally dominated by men. Patrick finished the race in fourth place, the highest finish […]
Conquering Mount Everest
On May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. This historic achievement symbolized the triumph of human endurance and courage over the world’s most daunting natural obstacles. The successful ascent […]