The Final Episode of “Friends”
The beloved television show “Friends” concluded its ten-year run on May 6, 2004, with its final episode airing to an audience of over 52 million American viewers. As one of the most popular television shows of all time, “Friends” left a lasting impact on television comedy, character development, and the portrayal of young adults navigating […]
Paula Jones Files a Lawsuit Against President Bill Clinton
Paula Jones accused President Bill Clinton of sexual harassment on May 6, 1994, allegations stemming from an incident she claimed occurred in 1991 while Clinton was the Governor of Arkansas. This lawsuit opened a highly publicized legal battle that would eventually lead to broader investigations, culminating in the impeachment of President Clinton in 1998. The […]
Roger Bannister Breaks the Four-Minute Barrier
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister, a British middle-distance runner and medical student, achieved what was once thought to be impossible: running a mile in under four minutes. Completing the mile in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds at a track meet in Oxford, England, Bannister’s feat shattered physical and psychological barriers, redefining the limits of athletic […]
The Sweet Start of Ben & Jerry’s
On May 5, 1978, childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened their first ice cream shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Their commitment to using high-quality, local ingredients and creating unique flavors quickly won them a devoted following. Ben & Jerry’s would go on to become not just a wildly successful […]
First American Travels to Space
Alan Shepard made history on May 5, 1961, as the first American to travel into space, aboard the spacecraft Freedom 7. His suborbital flight, which came just a few weeks after Yuri Gagarin’s orbital flight, ignited a fierce sense of competition and pride that would fuel the U.S. efforts in the ensuing Space Race. Shepard’s […]
Martha Jones Becomes First Black Woman to Receive U.S. Patent
On this day in 1868, Martha Jones of Amelia County, Virginia, became the first Black woman to receive a U.S. patent. Her invention, a cutting-edge improvement in the corn husker and sheller, showcased not only her ingenuity but also her courage in breaking through the racial and gender barriers of her time. Jones’ achievement is […]
Tragedy at Kent State
The Kent State shootings occurred on May 4, 1970, when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four and wounding nine others. This tragic event shocked the nation and became a symbol of the deep divisions and tumultuous conflicts of the […]
The First Freedom Ride Departs from Washington, D.C.
The first Freedom Ride departed from Washington, D.C., on May 4, 1961, as an integrated group of civil rights activists set out to challenge racial segregation in the southern United States. Organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), these brave men and women rode buses into the Deep South, facing violent opposition and enduring […]
Ella Fitzgerald Becomes First Black Woman to Win a Grammy
On this day in 1959, Ella Fitzgerald became the first Black woman to win a Grammy Award, taking home two awards for Best Jazz Performance and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Her victories at the inaugural Grammy Awards ceremony not only highlighted her exceptional talent but also represented a significant breakthrough in the recognition of […]
Exxon Executive is Murdered
The murder of Sidney Reso, an Exxon executive, on May 3, 1992, by kidnappers who sought ransom, shocked the corporate world. This crime highlighted the vulnerabilities of corporate executives and led to increased security measures within major companies to protect their personnel. The case, widely covered by the media, also brought attention to issues surrounding […]