On This Day In History
When Medgar Evars, NAACP field secretary for Mississippi, came to investigate the death, the county sheriff denied that any homicide had taken place. Instead, he claimed that the Rev. Lee had died in a car accident and that the lead bullets found in his jaw were dental fillings.
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) May 7, 2023
7 May 1663. The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, was opened. In 1672, the theatre caught fire and a larger one built on the same site. It was rebuilt twice more. The third building was also destroyed in a fire in 1809. The building that stands today (pictured), opened in 1812. pic.twitter.com/Gj393MSaw0
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 7, 2023
7 May 1919. Eva (“Evita”) Peron was born in Los Toldos, Argentina. She was the wife of Argentine President, Juan Peron, the leader of the Labour Party (1945–1947), and Justicialist Party (1947–1974). Eva was the subject of the Andrew Lloyd-Webber-Tim Rice musical and film, Evita. pic.twitter.com/4xxYXl8ybs
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 7, 2023
7 May 1940. George Lansbury died (aged 81). He led the Labour Party from 1932 to 1935. He spent his political life campaigning for social justice, women’s rights, and disarmament. His granddaughter, Angela, became a successful actress in the theatre, films and on TV. pic.twitter.com/gaUO3QkKr8
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 7, 2023
7 May 1945. The German Armed forces signed the “First Instrument” of unconditional surrender in Reims France. It was not fully ratified until 9 May at a separate ceremony in Berlin involving the USSR when the “Final Instrument” of German unconditional surrender was signed. pic.twitter.com/7iEd4lNO4l
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 7, 2023
7 May 2011. Charismatic Spanish golfer, Seve Ballesteros, died (aged 54). He won 90 international golf tournaments, including 5 major championships between 1979 and 1988: the Open Championship (3) and the US Masters (2). pic.twitter.com/lP6JO7EsWC
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 7, 2023
7 May 2016. Leicester City were presented with the Premier League trophy, after winning the title 5 days earlier. It was one of the greatest sporting upsets of all time. Leicester started the 2015-2016 season as 5,000-1 underdogs, after nearly being relegated the previous season. pic.twitter.com/B9R5Ih6kv3
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 7, 2023
May 8th
1660 English parliament declares Charles Stuart to be King Charles II of England
1835 1st installment of Hans Christian Andersen “Fairy Tales” published by C. A. Reitzel in Copenhagen, Denmark
1895 China cedes Taiwan to Japan under Treaty of Shimonoseki
1902 Mount Pelée on the French overseas island of Martinique erupts, wiping out the city of Saint-Pierre, killing 30,000 and leaving only two survivors
1945 V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany signs an unconditional surrender
1980 World Health Organization announces smallpox has been eradicated
2007 A new Northern Ireland Executive is formed with Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party) as First Minister and Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin) as Deputy First Minister
Did You Know?
Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta sells the first Coca-Cola (contained cocaine)
Today in History in 1886
Would you Believe?
16 year old Keron Thomas disguises himself as a motorman & takes NYC subway train and 2,000 passengers on a 3 hour ride
Today in History in 1993
This day 12 years ago - 8 May 2007 - Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness were sworn in as First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, respectively.
Paisley:
“I believe that Northern Ireland has come to a time of peace, a time when hate will no longer rule.” pic.twitter.com/ZiKBvJBmSq
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) May 8, 2019
On this day in 2009, members of the Ku Klux Klan in Ozark, Alabama, burned a cross in a residential neighborhood to intimidate Black families living in the area. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/lWglX8spXj
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) May 8, 2022
8 May 1428. French forces led by Joan of Arc ended the Siege of Orléans, thereby turning the tide in the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. It was the French Royal Army’s first major military victory in the war, and ended Henry VI’s dream of conquering all of France. pic.twitter.com/8ojlxLvn4y
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 8, 2023
8 May 1701. Notorious pirate, Captain William Kidd, went on trial at the Old Bailey, charged with murder and piracy. He was sentenced to death and hanged in a public execution on 23 May 1701, at Execution Dock, Wapping, London. He was hanged two times as the first attempt failed. pic.twitter.com/Ixw0jvJo73
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 8, 2023
8 May 1945. Victory Day in Europe (“VE Day”) was commemorated in Britain, and in many other countries throughout the world, even though the Final Instrument of unconditional surrender was not signed by the German armed forces until just after midnight in Berlin on 9 May 1945. pic.twitter.com/iL2rdMsByc
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 8, 2023
May 9th
1386 Treaty of Windsor between Portugal and England (oldest diplomatic alliance in the world still in force)
1865 President Andrew Johnson issues a proclamation declaring armed resistance in the South is virtually at an end; this is the commonly accepted end date of the American Civil War
1901 The First Australian Parliament opens in Melbourne, though the first working session will not be until 21 May
1941 British intelligence at Bletchley Park breaks German spy codes after capturing Enigma machines aboard the weather ship Muenchen
1945 World War II: The Soviet Union marks Victory Day
1960 US becomes the first country to legalize the birth control pill
2018 Historic win in Malaysian general election by opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan led by 92 year old former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, defeating Prime Minister Najib Razak and ending 61 years of rule by the Barisan Nasional coalition
Did You Know?
US President Woodrow Wilson proclaims Mother’s Day
Today in History in 1914
Would You Believe?
Mark Rothko’s “Orange, Red, Yellow” becomes the most expensive contemporary art piece to be sold at auction for $86.9 million dollars
Today in History in 2012
This day 349 years ago - 9 May 1671 - Irish adventurer Thomas Blood attempted to steal the English Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.
He and his accomplices assaulted 77-year-old assistant keeper Talbot Edwards, then fled. He was caught but later pardoned by King Charles II. pic.twitter.com/CspkpZMiip
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) May 9, 2020
On this day in 1961, John Lewis and two others were severely beaten by a mob at the Rock Hill, South Carolina, Greyhound bus terminal while protesting segregation. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/0rxB5OAQf5
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) May 9, 2023
9 May 1662. The first Punch & Judy show in Britain was performed in Covent Garden in London. The show aimed at children consists of interactions between Mr. Punch and other characters, including Judy. Mr Punch inflicts violence on everyone he meets, but seemingly in self-defence. pic.twitter.com/SUBvCCCO16
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 9, 2023