Monthly Archives: May 2016

Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa falls to Italian invaders 80 years ago this hour (May 5 1936)


Video: 'Italian Troops Enter Addis Ababa (1936)'

(Tuesday, May 5, 1936, 4:00 p.m. EAT; during the March of the Iron Will, part of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War) — Ethiopia’s era of independence, which had lasted since biblical times, ended this afternoon when the Italians occupied Addis Ababa.

Labor demonstration for 8-hour work day turns into a deadly riot 130 years ago this hour (May 4 1886)


Video: 'PBS: Haymarket Affair and the Origins of May Day'

(Tuesday, May 4, 1886, 10:30 p.m. local time) — A labor demonstration for an 8-hour work day tonight at Haymarket Square in Chicago turned into a deadly riot when a bomb exploded; in all, seven policemen and at least four workers were killed.

‘Always Be My Baby’ by Mariah Carey peaks at #1 in USA 20 years ago today (May 4 1996)

(Saturday, May 4, 1996)“Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (May 4/11, 1996).

It was Carey’s 11th of 18 number one hits on the chart (1990-2008).

Three Irish nationalists executed for role in Easter Rising 100 years ago today (May 3 1916)


Video: 'The Executed Leaders of the 1916 Rising'

(Wednesday, May 3, 1916) — Irish nationalists Padraic Pearse, Thomas Clarke and Thomas MacDonagh were executed today by a British firing squad; they were among 16 people put to death for their roles in the Easter Rising armed insurrection of April 24-29, 1916.

Riot breaks out at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary 70 years ago this hour (May 2 1946)


Video: 'Alcatraz Gun Battle (1946)'

(Thursday, May 2, 1946, 2:30 p.m. local time) — Violence erupted today during a foiled escape attempt at the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay. The Battle of Alcatraz would claim the lives of three inmates and two correctional officers before it was put down two days later. Continue reading Riot breaks out at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary 70 years ago this hour (May 2 1946)

Paul McCartney interviewed for BBC Radio’s ‘Pop Profile’ 50 years ago this hour (May 2 1966)


Video: 'The Beatles - Paul - Pop Profile (Bonus Interview Track)'

(Monday, May 2, 1966, 5:30 p.m. BST) — Paul McCartney of The Beatles was interviewed today by BBC presenter Brian Matthew for Pop Profile at Playhouse Theater in London for distribution overseas by the BBC Transcription Service on 7″ singles in May 1966.