Birth of John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, commonly known as JFK, was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He would go on to become the 35th President of the United States, known for his charismatic leadership during the Cold War, particularly his eloquent advocacy for democracy and peace. Kennedy’s presidency, though tragically cut short by his assassination […]
Barry Bonds Surpasses Babe Ruth
On May 28, 2006, Barry Bonds hit his 715th home run, surpassing Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list of Major League Baseball, second only to Hank Aaron at that time. This event took place at AT&T Park in San Francisco during a game against the Colorado Rockies. Bonds’ achievement was marred by controversy […]
Launch of the Appeal for Amnesty Campaign
On May 28, 1961, the “Appeal for Amnesty, 1961” campaign was launched following the publication of an article titled “The Forgotten Prisoners” in The Observer by lawyer Peter Benenson. This campaign called for the release of individuals imprisoned worldwide for their beliefs, igniting the formation of what would become Amnesty International. This organization would grow […]
First Blood of the French and Indian War
The French and Indian War, which would later expand into what is known as the Seven Years’ War globally, began with its first exchange of fire on May 28, 1754, near present-day Uniontown in Pennsylvania. A young George Washington led the Virginian colonial forces in a skirmish against the French, marking the outset of the […]
Signing of the SALT I Agreements
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreements were signed by the United States and the Soviet Union on May 27, 1972. These agreements marked a significant effort to curb the arms race during the Cold War, addressing limitations and guidelines for ballistic missiles. The SALT I treaties were an important step in reducing the threat […]
The Tragedy of the SS St. Louis
On May 27, 1939, the SS St. Louis, a ship carrying 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany, was denied entry to Cuba despite the passengers holding valid visas. This rejection was followed by further denials from the United States and Canada due to strict immigration policies and widespread anti-Semitism. The ship was forced to return […]
The Golden Gate Bridge Opens
The Golden Gate Bridge officially opened to the public on May 27, 1937. Spanning the Golden Gate Strait, the bridge connected San Francisco to Marin County, California, and was the longest suspension bridge main span in the world at the time. Celebrated as a marvel of modern engineering and a stunning aesthetic achievement, the Golden […]
Publication of “Dracula”
“Dracula,” a novel by Irish author Bram Stoker, went on sale in London on May 26, 1897. This gothic horror story introduced the character of Count Dracula and established many conventions of subsequent vampire fantasy. The novel has had a profound impact on the genre of horror literature and has inspired countless adaptations in film, […]
President Andrew Johnson’s Impeachment Trial
President Andrew Johnson was acquitted in his Senate impeachment trial on May 26, 1868, narrowly escaping removal from office by one vote. Johnson’s presidency had been marked by contentious relations with Congress, particularly regarding policies of Reconstruction and the treatment of the defeated Southern states after the Civil War. His trial, the first impeachment of […]
The Pequot Massacres Begin
On May 26, 1637, the Pequot massacres began with the Mystic Massacre during the Pequot War, one of the first major conflicts between colonists and Native Americans in New England. In a pre-dawn raid, English settlers and their Native American allies set fire to a Pequot village near the Mystic River in Connecticut, killing hundreds […]