Video: 'Hernando de Soto - Explorer | Mini Bio | BIO'
(Sunday, May 8, 1541) — Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto today became the first European colonizer to reach the Mississippi River, the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system on the North American continent.
Continue reading Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto becomes first European colonizer to reach Mississippi River 480 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1541)
Video: 'Shepard Medal Presentation'
(Monday, May 8, 1961, 10:00-10:25 a.m. EDT) — Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., 37, who became the first American to travel into space just three days ago aboard Freedom 7, was presented the NASA Distinguished Service Medal by President John F. Kennedy today at the White House.
Continue reading Astronaut Alan Shepard, first American in space, decorated by President Kennedy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1961)
Video: 'Tennessee in the Civil War'
(Tuesday, May 7, 1861; during the American Civil War) — Three weeks and four days after the beginning of the Battle of Fort Sumter in South Carolina, which triggered the American Civil War, the Tennessee legislature ratified an agreement today to enter a military league with the Confederate States, becoming the tenth southern state to secede to preserve the enslavement of black people.
Continue reading Tennessee becomes 10th Southern slave state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1861)
Video: 'BOB HOPE USO'
(Tuesday, May 6, 1941; seven months before America’s entry into World War II) — Comedian Bob Hope did his first USO before an audience of servicemen today as he broadcast his radio program from March Field (now known as March Air Reserve Base) in Riverside, California.
Continue reading Comedian Bob Hope does first USO show for servicemen at March Field, California 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1941)
Video: 'Arkansas in the Civil War'
(Monday, May 6, 1861; during the American Civil War) — Three weeks and three days after the beginning of the Battle of Fort Sumter in South Carolina, which triggered the American Civil War, delegates to the Arkansas Secession Convention voted 69-1 to secede from the Union today in Little Rock, becoming the ninth southern state to secede to preserve the enslavement of black people.
Continue reading Arkansas becomes ninth Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1861)
Video: 'Ringo Starr & Kinetic Art - Reuters - 5 May 1971'
(Thursday, May 6, 1971) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr appeared today at a new shop opened by Zarach, an exclusive modern design company, at 183 Sloane Street in London to promote “Another One,” the first piece of Kinetic sculpture he designed with top designer Robin Cruikshank.
Continue reading Former Beatle Ringo Starr unveils kinetic sculpture ‘Another One’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1971)
Video: 'Alan Shepard " Launch ", LIVE on TV at NBC, (Mercury / Redstone rocket), May 5, 1961'
(Friday, May 5, 1961, 9:34:13 a.m. EDT/14:34:13 UTC) — Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., 37, became the first American in space today as Freedom 7 lifted off from Cape Canaveral.
Continue reading Astronaut Alan Shepard becomes first American to travel into space 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1961)
Video: 'The Heinous 1961 KKK Attack on the Freedom Riders'
(Thursday, May 4, 1961; part of the Civil Rights Movement) — Thirteen members of the interracial “Freedom Riders” group, including 21-year-old John Lewis, boarded regular interstate Greyhound and Trailways buses today in Washington, D.C., and headed for the Deep South to challenge the non-enforcement of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which declared segregation in interstate bus and rail stations unconstitutional. Continue reading First ‘Freedom Riders’ depart for Deep South to challenge segregation in public transit 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1961)
Video: 'Great Fire of 1901'
(Friday, May 3, 1901, 12:30-8:30 p.m. local time; during the Great Fire of 1901) — The “Great Fire of 1901,” the third largest urban fire in U.S. history, next to the Great Chicago Fire, and the 1906 San Francisco fire, destroyed 146 city blocks today in Jacksonville, Florida, over an area of 455 acres in eight hours.
Continue reading Massive fire destroys 146 city blocks in Jacksonville, Florida 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 3 1901)
(Saturday, May 2, 1981) — “Morning Train (Nine to Five)” by Sheena Easton peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (May 2/9, 1981).
Continue reading ‘Morning Train (Nine to Five)’ by Sheena Easton peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 1981)
