Historical Events
De Soto Discovers the Mississippi
1541 Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his expedition are the first Europeans to discover the Mississippi River
John Brown's Antislavery Convention
1858 American abolitionist John Brown holds a secret antislavery convention in Canada
Carbon Microphone
1878 David Edward Hughes' paper on the idea for a microphone is read before the Royal Society of London by Thomas Henry Huxley
Burns vs O'Brien
1907 Canadian Tommy Burns retains his world heavyweight boxing title after beating 'Philadelphia' Jack O'Brien on points in 20 rounds in Los Angeles, California
50th Preakness
1925 50th Preakness: Clarence Kummer aboard Coventry wins in 1:59
Hubbell No-Hits Pirates
1929 NY Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell no-hits Pittsburgh Pirates, 11-0 at the Polo Grounds, NYC
Volgograd Tractor Plant
1929 Soviet government contract Albert Kahn Associates architectural firm to design the USSR's 1st tractor plant
Breadon Talks Down Protest
1947 A movement among Cardinal players to protest its 1st meeting with Jackie Robinson & the Dodgers is aborted by a talk from owner Sam Breadon
Of Thee I Sing
1952 Revival of George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind's musical political satire "Of Thee I Sing", directed by Kaufman, opens at Ziegfeld Theater, NYC; runs for 72 performances
Little Rock Crisis
1958 US President Eisenhower orders National Guard out of Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas
Nixon Stoned in Peru
1958 US VP Richard Nixon is shoved, stoned, booed and spat upon by protesters in Peru
Little Caesars Pizza Founded
1959 Little Caesars Pizza is founded by Mike Ilitch and his wife Marian Ilitch in Garden City, Michigan
- 1961 1st practical sea water conversion plant-Freeport, Texas
Alan Shepard Honored by NASA
1961 Alan Shepard receives NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Washington
A Funny Thing Happened
1962 Stephen Sondheim's musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" starring Zero Mostel and Jack Gilford, and directed by George Abbott, opens at Alvin Theater, NYC; runs for 965 performances, and wins 6 Tony Awards
JFK Assists Israel
1963 U.S. President John F. Kennedy offers Israel assistance against aggression from its neighbors
Baseball Record
1966 Only HR ever hit out of Baltimore's Memorial Park, by Oriole outfielder Frank Robinson
Muhammad Ali Indicted
1967 Muhammad Ali is indicted for refusing induction in US Army
- 1970 Thousands of students protest against the Vietnam War following the Kent State University shootings in Ohio
Baseball History
1973 Ernie Banks fills in for Cubs managerr Whitey Lockman who is ejected during the game, technically becoming baseball's 1st African American manager
Wounded Knee Occupation Ends
1973 Wounded Knee Occupation ends after 10 weeks as 200 Oglala Lakota of the American Indian Movement surrender the South Dakota hamlet
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
1976 Leonard Bernstein and Alan Jay Lerner's musical "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" closes at Mark Hellinger, NYC, after 7 performances
- 1980 1st non-stop trans-North American balloon flight departs Fort Baker, California. Maxie Anderson and son Kristian pilot the Kitty Hawk for five days.
Sports History
1984 Minnesota Twins Kirby Puckett debuts with 4 singles
Academy of Country Music Awards
1985 20th Academy of Country Music Awards: Alabama, George Strait, and Reba McEntire win
Sports History
1988 Mike Tyson crashes his $183,000 Bently on Varick St in New York City
Event of Interest
1991 CIA director William H. Webster resigns
- 1994 Colorado Silver Bullets (all-female pro baseball team) 1st game
Event of Interest
1994 President Clinton announces US will no longer repatriate boat people
Sports History
1996 NY Yankee Dwight Gooden wins his 1st AL game beating Tigers 10-3
- 2001 36th Academy of Country Music Awards: Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill & Toby Keith win
Music Concert
2008 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, Chris Botti, Feist, Roberto Alagna, and Natalie Clein
- 2010 Last piece of Yankee Stadium falls in the Bronx, New York, marking the end of the two year demolition process
Sports History
2011 The Tradition Senior Men's Golf, Shoal Creek G&CC: Tom Lehman wins second of 3 Champions Tour majors with par on 2nd playoff hole against Australian Peter Senior
- 2014 NFL Draft: South Carolina outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney first pick by Houston Texans
Event of Interest
2018 President Trump pulls the US out of the multilateral Iran nuclear deal
- 2019 Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes argues that Facebook should be split up and regulated in "New York Times" Op-Ed essay
The Little Mermaid
2023 Disney live-action film musical "The Little Mermaid" starring Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, directed by Robb Marshall, premieres in the US [1]
Famous Birthdays
- 1750 Elias Mann, American composer, born in Weymouth, Massachusetts (d. 1825)
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)
American poet who was both the second published African-American poet and first published African-American woman, born in West Africa
- 1810 James Cooper, American lawyer, politician and Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Frederick County, Maryland (d. 1863)
- 1821 William Henry Vanderbilt, American businessman, member of the Vanderbilt family, born in New Brunswick, New Jersey (d. 1885)
- 1824 William Walker, American physician and president of Nicaragua (1856-57), born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 1860)
- 1833 Frank Wheaton, Bvt Major General (Union Army), born in Providence, Rhode Island (d. 1903)
- 1836 Bryan Morel Thomas, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Milledgeville, Georgia (d. 1905)
- 1850 Ross Barnes, American baseball infielder (3×NA/NL batting champion 1872, 73, 76; 4×NA/NL runs scored leader; 4×NA/NL hits leader; Boston Red Stockings), born in Mount Morris, New York (d. 1915)
- 1855 John Gates ("Bet-a-million" Gates), American inventor and industrialist who established the market for barbed wire fencing, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1911)
Harry Truman (1884-1972)
33rd US President (Democrat: 1945-53), born in Lamar, Missouri
- 1893 Francis Ouimet, American golfer (US Open 1913, US Amateur 1914, 31), born in Brookline, Massachusetts (d. 1967)
- 1895 Edmund Wilson, American literary critic and writer (Patriotic Gore), born in Red Bank, New Jersey (d. 1972)
- 1895 James H. "Dutch" Kindelberger, American aerospace pioneer (d. 1962)
- 1899 Arthur Q Bryan, American voice actor, comedian and radio personality (Beulah, The Devil Bat), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1959)
- 1905 (Ernest) "Red" Nichols, American jazz cornetist, composer and jazz bandleader (His Five Pennies - "Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider"; "Bugler's Lament"), born in Ogden, Utah (d. 1965) [1]
- 1906 David Van Vactor, American classical composer (Chaconne), born in Plymouth, Indiana (d. 1994)
Robert Johnson (1911-1938)
American blues singer-songwriter, and guitarist (King of Delta Blues Singers), born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi
- 1915 John Archer [Ralph Bowman], American actor (Destination: Moon, White Heat, Blue Hawaii), born in Osceola, Nebraska (d. 1999)
- 1920 Saul Bass, American graphic designer of logos and film titles, born in New York City (d. 1996)
- 1920 Sloan Wilson, American novelist ("The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit"; "A Summer Place"), born in Norwalk, Connecticut (d. 2003)
- 1926 Don Rickles, American comedian (Don Rickles Show, CPO Sharkey), born in Queens, New York (d. 2017)
- 1927 Murray Lerner, American documentary and experimental film director and producer (Secrets of the Reef), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2017)
John C. Bogle (1929-2019)
American investor and business magnate (founder and chief executive of The Vanguard Group), born in Montclair, New Jersey
- 1930 Alex Shigo, American Biologist and Plant Pathologist known for his study of tree decay and contributions to modern arboricultural practices, born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania (d. 2006)
- 1935 Salome Jens, American actress (From Here to Eternity (TV mini-series); Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and dancer, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- 1937 Dennis DeConcini, American politician (Sen-D-AZ, 1977-95), born in Tucson, Arizona
- 1937 Thomas Pynchon, American novelist (V, Gravity's Rainbow), born in Glen Cove, New York
- 1940 (Cathryn) "Toni" Tennille, American singer-songwriter, keyboardist (Captain & Tennille - "Love Will Keep Us Together") and female Beach Boy, born in Montgomery, Alabama
Ricky Nelson (1940-1985)
American pop-rock star ("Hello Mary Lou"; "It's Late"; "Garden Party") and actor (The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet), born in Teaneck, New Jersey
Peter Benchley (1940-2006)
American novelist (Jaws, The Deep), born in New York City
- 1941 James A. Traficant Jr, American politician (Rep-D-OH, 1985-2002), born in Youngstown, Ohio, (d. 2014)
- 1941 Jim Mitchum, American actor (Blackout; Invincible 6), born in Bridgeport, Connecticut
- 1941 John Fred [Gourrier], American pop singer (John Fred and His Playboy Band - "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)"), born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (d. 2005)
- 1942 (Euclid) Jim "Motorhead" Sherwood, American rock saxophonist and vocalist (Mothers Of Invention), born in Arkansas City, Kansas (d. 2011)
- 1951 Chris Frantz, American rock drummer (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club), born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky
- 1951 Mike D'Antoni, American basketball coach (NBA Coach of the Year 2005, 17; Houston Rockets; LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Phoenix Suns), born in Mullens, West Virginia
- 1952 Beth Henley, American actress and playwright (Miss Firecracker), born in Jackson, Mississippi
- 1953 Billy Burnette, American rock guitarist (Fleetwood Mac, 1987-95), born in Memphis, Tennessee
- 1954 David Keith, American actor (Back Roads, Firestarter), born in Knoxville, Tennessee
- 1954 Stephen Furst, American actor (Animal House, St. Elsewhere), born in Norfolk, Virginia (d. 2017)
Bill Cowher (67th Birthday)
1957 American Pro Football HOF coach (Super Bowl 2005; NFL Coach of the Year 1992; Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Crafton, Pennsylvania
- 1957 Deana Deardurff, American swimmer (Olympic gold 4x100m medley relay 1972), born in Wyoming, Ohio
- 1959 Ronnie Lott, College and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back (10-time NFL Pro Bowl; Super Bowl 1981, 84, 88-89; SF 49ers), born in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- 1960 Eric Brittingham, American rock bassist (Cinderella - "Heartbreak Station"; "Nobody's Fool"), born in Salisbury, Maryland
- 1964 Cheryl Richardson, American actress (Jennie-General Hospital), born in Palo Alto, California
- 1964 Melissa Gilbert, American actress (Little House on the Prairie), born in Los Angeles, California
- 1968 Chris Lighty, music executive and manager (Violator), born in The Bronx New York (d. 2012)
- 1969 Akebono Taro, American born Japanese sumo wrestler (1st non Japanese to reach rank of Yokozuna), born in Waimānalo, Hawaii
- 1977 Joe Bonnamassa, American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter ("Dust Bowl"; "Redemption"), born in New Hartford, New York
- 1978 Josie Maran, American model, born in Menlo Park, California
- 1978 Matthew Davis, American actor (Legally Blonde, Vampire Diaries), born in Salt Lake City, Utah
Famous Weddings
Betsy Ross
1783 American seamstress Betsy Ross (31) weds (for the 3rd time) John Claypoole at Christ Church
Samuel Goldwyn
1910 Film producer Samuel Goldwyn (27) weds first wife Blanche Lasky
Raquel Welch
1959 Aspiring American actress Raquel Tejada (18) weds high school sweetheart James Welch; divorce in 1964 - she keeps his name (Raquel Welch)
John Grisham
1981 Author John Grisham (26) weds Renee Jones
Famous Deaths
- 1725 John Lovewell, American ranger and Native Indian scalper, dies fighting against Abenaki Indians at 33
- 1806 Robert Morris, English-born merchant and American founding father who signed the US Declaration of Independence, dies at 72
Kamehameha I (1738-1819)
King of Hawaii (1782-1819), dies at 81
- 1822 John Stark, American military officer (Battle of Bennington), dies at 93
- 1864 James Samuel Wadsworth, American politician and major general (Union), dies in battle at 56
- 1864 Leroy Augustus Stafford, Confederate American Brigadier General (Confederate Army), dies from injuries incurred 3 days earlier during the Battle of the Wilderness in northern Virginia, at 42
- 1915 Henry McNeal Turner, 1 African American Methodist Bishop and 1st African American army chaplain, dies at 82
- 1925 Frank L. Gillespie, American founder of Supreme Life Insurance Company, dies at 48
- 1947 Harry Gordon Selfridge, American-born department store founder (b. 1858)
- 1952 William Fox [Wilhem Fuchs], Hungarian-American movie theater pioneer and film producer (Fox Film Corporation), dies at 73
- 1958 Norman Bel Geddes, American theatrical designer (Rivals, Dead End), dies at 65
- 1967 Barbara Payton [Redfield], American actress known for her tumultuous private life (Dallas, Trapped, Bad Blonde), dies of heart and liver failure due to drug addiction at 39
Elmer Rice (1892-1967)
American playwright (Pulitzer-Street Scene) and novelist, dies at 74
- 1967 LaVerne Andrews, American pop and swing jazz singer (The Andrews Sisters - "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"; "Rum and Coca-Cola"), dies of cancer at 55
- 1969 Remington Kellogg, American naturalist and director (U.S. National Museum), dies at 76
- 1975 Avery Brundage, American businessman (5th President International Olympic Committee 1952-72), dies at 87
- 1979 Talcott Parsons, American sociologist, dies at 76
- 1981 Margaret Lindsay, American actress (G Men, Lady Killer, Jezebel), dies at 70
- 1982 Al Leader, Canadian-American Hockey Hall of Fame player, referee and administrator (Western Hockey League), dies at 78
- 1982 Neil Bogart, American record executive (b. 1943)
- 1983 John Fante, Italian-American author and screenwriter (Wait Until Spring, Bandini, Ask the Dust, Full of Life), dies at 74
- 1985 Adolphus "Dolph" Sweet, American actor (Gimme a Break, Which Way is Up), dies of cancer at 64
- 1988 Robert A. Heinlein, American sci-fi writer (Friday), dies of heart failure at 80
- 1991 Lloyd Ford, American stuntman, dies at 79
- 1992 Richard Derr, American actor (When Worlds Collide), dies at 74 of cancer
- 1993 Avram Davidson, American sci-fi author (Hugo, Peregrine: Primus, Rork!), dies at 70
- 1994 George Peppard, American actor (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Banacek, A-Team, Blue Max), dies at 65
- 1994 Steven Keats, American actor (Death Wish), dies of apparent suicide at 48
- 1995 Carroll Best, American bluegrass banjo player and educator, shot to death by his brother at 64
- 1995 Jerry Zipkin, American socialite (friend of Nancy Reagan), dies at 80
- 1996 Celedonio Romero, Spanish-American guitarist (The Romero Guitar Quartet), composer (La Catedral de Colonia), and poet, dies of lung cancer at 83
- 1996 Garth Williams, American illustrator (Charlotte's Web), dies at 84
- 1998 Bebe Rebozo, American banker and Watergate figure (b. 1912)
- 1999 Dana Plato, American actress (Kimberly-Diff'rent Strokes), dies at 34
- 1999 Ed Gilbert, American actor (The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries), dies at 67
- 2000 Alexander Chislenko, Russian-American transhumanist (b. 1959)
- 2000 Henry Nicols, American AIDS activist, dies as the result of a car accident at 26
- 2006 Viola Mae Wilkerson, American pop singer ("Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now"), dies of cancer at 69
- 2007 Carson Whitsett, American session keyboard player and songwriter ("Don't Give Up On Me"), dies of brain cancer at 62
- 2008 Eddy Arnold, American country music singer ("Make The World Go Away"; "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye"), dies at 89
- 2008 Larry Levine, American sound engineer (Phil Spector's wall of sound; Herb Alpert; Beach Boys), dies of emphysema on his 80th birthday
- 2009 Bud Shrake, American writer (b. 1931)
- 2009 Dom DiMaggio, American baseball outfielder, 1940-53 (Boston Red Sox), co-founder of New England Patriots, dies at 92
- 2011 Cornell Dupree, American jazz and R&B session guitarist (Atlantic Records - Aretha Franklin), dies of emphysema at 68
- 2012 Maurice Sendak, American author and illustrator, dies at 83
- 2012 Nicholas Katzenbach, American Attorney General, dies at 90
- 2013 Jeanne Cooper, American actress (Kay-The Young & Restless), dies at 84
- 2013 Taylor Mead, American writer, actor and performer (Factory, Taylor Mead's Ass), dies at 88
- 2014 Roger L. Easton, American scientist, inventor and designer of GPS, dies at 93
- 2016 John Bradshaw, American theologian, dies at 82
- 2016 William Schallert, American character actor (Patty Duke Show - "Martin"; Get Smart - "The Admiral"), dies at 93
- 2017 Robert Gutter, American conductor and teacher (founded International Institute for Conductors, 1996), dies at 78
- 2018 Ernest Medina, American soldier and commanding officer of the unit responsible for the My Lai Massacre of 16 March 1968, dies at 81
- 2018 George Deukmejian, American politician, 35th Governor of California (1983-91), dies at 89
- 2018 James Scott, American boxer and felon, dies at 71
- 2019 Jim Fowler, American naturalist, zoologist and Emmy Award-winning TV presenter (Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom), dies of heart disease at 89
- 2020 Roy Horn [Uwe Ludwig Horn], German-American Las Vegas entertainer (Siegfried & Roy), dies of COVID-19 at 75
- 2021 Curtis Fuller, American jazz trombonist (Yusef Lateef; John Coltrane; Farmer/Golson Jazztet), dies at 88
- 2021 Helmut Jahn, German-American architect who designed the O'Hare United Airlines Terminal and the Thompson Center in Chicago and One Liberty Place in Philadelphia, killed when struck by cars while bicycling at 80 [1] [2]
- 2021 Pierre S "Pete" Du Pont IV, American attorney and politician (Governor of Delaware, 1977-85), dies at 86
- 2021 Spencer Silver, American scientist and inventor of Post-it® Notes, dies at 80 [1]
- 2022 Fred Ward, American actor (Escape From Alcatraz; The Right Stuff: Remo Williams; Thunderheart), dies at 79
- 2023 Joe Kapp, American College / Canadian Football HOF quarterback (UC Berkeley; NFL C'ship & Pro Bowl 1969 Minnesota Vikings; CFL Grey Cup 1964 BC Lions; CFL All-Star 1963, 64), dies at 85