May 2024 – Historic Moments Today

31May

By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art HistoryNo Comments

May 31st: Big Ben Began To Tick

What Happened On May 31st? On May 31, 1859, the Great Clock of the Palace of Westminster, famously known as Big Ben, began its role in keeping time. This day was not just the start of a clock; it began a culmination of years of innovation and engineering brilliance in Great Britain. Crafting The Clock The story of Big Ben began in 1834 when a devastating fire destroyed much of the Palace of Westminster. In response, Charles Barry was appointed to design the new Houses of Parliament, envisioning a grand clock tower as a focal point. However, it was Sir Edmund Beckett Denison, a lawyer with a keen interest in horology, brought the clock to life. Denison collaborated with clockmaker Edward John Dent, and together they created one of the most precise and large mechanical clocks ...

May 30th: The First Indianapolis 500 Was Hosted

30May

By Dr. Sylvia K. Crawford, MA in JournalismNo Comments

Sports History

May 30th: The First Indianapolis 500 Was Hosted

What Happened On May 30th? On May 30, 1911, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the first ever Indianapolis 500, a race that would become prestigious in American motorsport. Approximately 80,000 spectators gathered for this competition, which was exciting and new! Building the Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, conceived by Carl G. Fisher, James A. Allison, Arthur C. Newby, and Frank H. Wheeler, was initially designed as a testing facility for the burgeoning automotive industry. The founders envisioned a massive proving ground for manufacturers to push the limits of their machines. Constructed in 1909, the speedway originally featured a 2.5-mile rectangular oval track composed of crushed stone and tar, which proved disastrous during early testing....

May 29th: Hillary & Norgay Reached The Summit Of Mt. Everest

29May

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

May 29th: Hillary & Norgay Reached The Summit Of Mt. Everest

What Happened On May 29th? On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. With the teamwork between a New Zealand beekeeper and a Sherpa from Nepal, their ascent involved meticulous planning and rigorous training. Not only that, but this accomplishment required the coordination of over 400 people, including 362 porters and 20 Sherpa guides. Before The Immense Climb The quest to conquer Everest, named after Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General of India, began long before Hillary and Norgay's climb. The first reconnaissance of Everest was conducted in 1921 by the British, who mapped the region and established feasible routes. George Mallory, a British mountaineer, began the early expeditions of Mt....

May 28th: Volkswagen, The “People’s Car,” Was Founded In Germany

28May

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

Science & Industry

May 28th: Volkswagen, The “People’s Car,” Was Founded In Germany

What Happened On May 28th? On May 28, 1937, in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen was founded with a clear mission: to create an affordable, reliable car for the average German family. This initiative, driven by Ferdinand Porsche's engineering vision and backed by the National Socialist government, laid the foundation for a company that would produce some of the most iconic vehicles ever made. However, the development of the Volkswagen Beetle was deeply intertwined with the political landscape of the time. As Hitler and the Nazi Party orchestrated the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria in March 1938, the promotion of the Volkswagen project became a symbol of Nazi industrial and technological prowess. The car was showcased as part of the regime's broader propaganda efforts to demon...

May 27th: The Golden State Bridge Opened Up To The Public

27May

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

U.S. History

May 27th: The Golden State Bridge Opened Up To The Public

What Happened On May 27th? On May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge officially opened to the public, connecting San Francisco to Marin County, California. Spanning the Golden Gate Strait, this suspension bridge became a symbol of architectural innovation and human determination. The bridge's construction began in 1933 during the Great Depression, led by engineer Joseph Strauss. Despite strong tides, deep waters, and frequent fog, Strauss and his team pressed forward, overcoming numerous challenges. The opening of the Golden Gate Bridge was celebrated with a week-long event, starting with "Pedestrian Day" on May 27, 1937. On this day, the bridge was closed to vehicles, allowing 200,000 pedestrians to walk across its span. People dressed in their finest attire, carried picnic bask...

May 26th: The First “24 Hours of Le Mans” Began In France

26May

By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art HistoryNo Comments

Sports History

May 26th: The First “24 Hours of Le Mans” Began In France

What Happened On May 26th? In the early hours of May 26, 1923, the first 24 Hours of Le Mans began in Le Mans, France. Conceived by Charles Faroux, Georges Durand, and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), this race aimed to test not only speed but also the durability and endurance of cars and drivers. The race started at 4 pm, a time chosen to ensure that the finish would also occur in daylight, enhancing the spectacle for the spectators. The track, Circuit de la Sarthe, was a mix of public roads and race track, stretching over 17.262 kilometers (10.725 miles) per lap. This course, with its long straights and tight corners, would push the limits of both man and machine. A Test Of Endurance The first race saw 33 entrants, primarily French manufacturers, who reflected the natio...

May 25th: 32 African Countries Formed The OAU Against White Rule

25May

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

May 25th: 32 African Countries Formed The OAU Against White Rule

What Happened On May 25th? On May 25, 1963, in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, thirty-two African countries came together to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). This coalition was established to promote unity and solidarity among African states. By coordinating their cooperation, they would eventually achieve a better life for the people of Africa. The leaders at this historic gathering sought to collectively address and combat the lingering influence of white rule and colonial oppression across the continent. At the time, many African nations were still grappling with the vestiges of colonial rule, and the scars of oppression were fresh. The leaders of these 32 countries recognized that their collective strength could be a formidable force against the specter of...

May 24th: The Brooklyn Bridge Opened To New York

24May

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

U.S. History

May 24th: The Brooklyn Bridge Opened To New York

What Happened On May 24th? On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge officially opened to the public after nearly 14 years of construction. President Chester A. Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland attended, alongside 150,000 people. The festivities included a procession of horse-drawn carriages, a military parade, and a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the New York skyline. In a bid to prove the bridge's stability to skeptical New Yorkers, showman P.T. Barnum led a parade of 21 elephants across the bridge in 1884. This quelled fears about the bridge's safety. People walked, rode, and even cycled across the bridge, marveling at the panoramic views of the East River and the cityscape. The sense of pride and accomplishment was palpable, as the bridge was hailed as ...

May 23rd: Bonnie & Clyde Killed By Police

23May

By Dr. Sylvia K. Crawford, MA in JournalismNo Comments

U.S. History

May 23rd: Bonnie & Clyde Killed By Police

What Happened On May 23rd? On the morning of May 23, 1934, notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were ambushed and killed by law enforcement officers on a rural road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. As their stolen Ford V8 drove into a carefully planned trap, a posse of six officers opened fire, instantly killing the couple and ending their two-year crime spree. Photo credit: BOB WESTON via Getty Images Who Were Bonnie & Clyde? Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were not born into infamy; their paths to criminality were shaped by the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Bonnie, a petite and spirited young woman from Rowena, Texas, had harbored dreams of becoming a famous poet or a movie star. Her poetry, such as "The Story of Suicide Sal" and "The Trail's End,...

May 22nd: Pac-Man Released To The Public

22May

By Professor Mei X. Chen, M.A., Literature ScholarNo Comments

Arts & Culture

May 22nd: Pac-Man Released To The Public

What Happened On May 22nd? On May 22, 1980, Namco officially released the arcade game Pac-Man in Japan. Created by game designer Toru Iwatani, Pac-Man introduced a unique maze chase format. Players would have to guide the titular character through a labyrinth to eat pellets and avoid ghosts. The game was later distributed by Midway in North America, and it rapidly became a cultural phenomenon. The Conception Of Pac-Man Toru Iwatani, a young game designer at Namco, was seeking to create a game that would appeal to a broader audience, including women and younger players. Iwatani’s inspiration came from a simple yet universally relatable experience: eating. The now-iconic character design of Pac-Man was reportedly inspired by a pizza missing a slice, a visual that struck Iwatan...