May 18

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1652 – In Rhode Island, a law was passed that made slavery illegal in North America. It was the first law of its kind.

1798 – The first Secretary of the U.S. Navy was appointed. He was Benjamin Stoddert.

1846 – Michigan outlawed the Death Penalty.

1897 – A novel by Irish author Bram Stoker, called “Dracula”, was published.

1912 – The Detroit Tigers staged baseball’s first strike to protest the suspension of their star, Ty Cobb, who had slugged a fan. Faced with a $100 per day fine, the team ended the strike after missing one game and rescheduling another.

1917 – The U.S. Congress passed the Selective Service act, which called up soldiers to fight in World War I.

1927 – In Bath, MI, Andrew Kehoe, a farmer and local school board member who was angry over losing an election for town clerk and under notice for foreclosure, killed his wife, detonated bombs in his house and farm buildings, and at the same time set off a bomb in the consolidated school. He drove to the school in a truck rigged with more explosives, which he detonated next to the school superintendent. In all, 44 people were killed, 38 of them children, and himself, in the worst school murders in U.S. history. Only half of the 1,000 pounds of explosives set under the school went off, greatly lowering the death toll. Thirty-eight of the 314 students, three teachers, the superintendent, the postmaster, and a local farmer assisting at the scene were killed. Most of the dead were students from second to sixth grade. Fifty-eight others were injured..

1929 – Holland, MI held its first Tulip Time Festival.

1934 – Congress approved an act, known as the “Lindberg Act,” that called for the death penalty in interstate kidnapping cases.

1953 – The first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, Jacqueline Cochran, piloted an F-86 Sabrejet over California at an average speed of 652.337 miles-per-hour.

1968 – Tiny Tim’s “Tiptoe through the Tulips” was released. It was originally a number one hit for Nick Lucas in 1929.

1969 – Apollo 10 was launched.

1980 – The Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington state erupted, leaving 57 people dead or missing. It caused $3 billion in damages.

1983 – The Senate revised immigration laws and gave millions of illegal aliens legal status under an amnesty program.

1986 – The Firearm Owners Protection Act was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

1995 – Shawn Nelson stole a tank from a National Guard Armory in San Diego, CA, destroying cars and other property. He was shot to death by police after immobilizing the tank.

1998 – The TV show “Murphy Brown” aired its final episode after 10 years on the air. The show was brought back to TV in 2018.

1998 – The U.S. federal government and 20 states filed a sweeping antitrust case against Microsoft Corp., saying the computer software company had a “choke hold” on competitors which denied consumer choices by controlling 90% of the software market.

2001 – The DreamWorks animated feature film, “Shrek”, premiered in theaters.

2000 – In a malpractice lawsuit, Dana Carvey testified that, in 1998, a surgeon performed angioplasty on the wrong artery. The doctor blames the mistake on the comedian’s “unusual anatomy.”

2002 – Will Ferrell said goodbye to TV’s “Saturday Night Live” on the show’s season finale.

2004 – Martha Stewart pulled the plug on her syndicated series, “Martha Stewart Living”, until “my personal legal situation is resolved.”

2004 – The “Hee Haw Collection” was released. It was the first time that full shows of TV’s “Hee Haw” were released on VHS and DVD

2005 – A second photo from the Hubble Space Telescope confirmed that Pluto has two additional moons, Nix and Hydra.

2007 – TV’s “That ’70s Show” aired their 200th episode and series finale after eight seasons.

2012 – Facebook Inc. held its initial public offering and began trading on the NASDAQ. The company was valued at $104 billion making it the largest valuation for a newly listed public company.

BIRTHDAYS:

Candice Azzara – 80 years old (1945) – Actress (TV’s “Caroline in the City”, “Who’s the Boss?”, “Love Boat”, movies “Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?”, “Made for Each Other”, “The World’s Greatest Lover”, “House Calls”, “Fatso”, “Easy Money”, “Unstrung Heroes”, “Catch Me If You Can”, “Ocean’s Twelve”, “In Her Shoes”, “Little Boy”)

Reggie Jackson – 79 years old (1946) – Baseball player

Rick Wakeman – 76 years old (1949) – Keyboardist (Yes)

Mark Mothersbaugh – 75 years old (1950) – Lead singer, keyboardist (Devo)

James Stephens – 74 years old (1951) – Actor (TV’s “The Paper Chase”, movies “True Grit: A Further Adventure”, “First Monday in October”, “The Getaway”, “Against the Law”)

George Strait – 73 years old (1952) – Country singer

Chow Yun-fat – 70 years old (1955) – Actor (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”)

Martika – 56 years old (1969) – Singer (“Toy Soldiers”, “Love…Thy Will Be Done”)

Tina Fey – 55 years old (1970) – Actress, comedian (TV’s “30 Rock,” “Saturday Night Live”, movies “Baby Mama”, “Mean Girl”, “Date Night”, “Admission”)

Jack Johnson – 50 years old (1975) – Singer

Allen Leech – 44 years old (1981) – Actor (TV’s “Downton Abbey”)

Spencer Breslin – 33 years old (1992) – Actor (“Disney’s The Kid”, “The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause”, “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”, “Return to Neverland”)

TODAY IS:

• World Baking Day: Cookies, brownies, pies, bread…try out some new recipes, or revisit your old favorites to have a little fun in the kitchen and end up with tasty treats.
• National No Dirty Dishes Day: Give yourself a break from the drudgery of dishes for one day, by eating only food that don’t create dirty dishes. Order in, and use disposable containers and cutlery.
• I Love Reese’s Day: I Love Reese's Day is a sweet celebration that chocolate and peanut butter fans look forward to every year. Be sure to mark your calendars for when this delicious day rolls around! How to Celebrate I Love Reese's Day Unleash Your Inner Chef Why not whip up some homemade Reese's-inspired treats...
• Stepmother’s Day: Most of us know about Mother’s Day and many of us cherish and enjoy it. But have you heard of Stepmother’s Day? It's an important way to say thank you to a unique parent figure! How to Celebrate Stepmother’s Day This day is a wonderful opportunity to show real appreciation and...
• National Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) Appreciation Day: Experts in communication development, these professionals empower individuals to express themselves with clarity and confidence.
• National Cheese Soufflé Day: Dive into a fluffy cloud of cheesy goodness with a perfectly baked Cheese Soufflé! This delicate dish will tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling oh-so-satisfied. So go ahead, treat yourself to a little bit of heaven in every bite!
• Ride a Unicycle Day: A solitary wheel, a feat of equilibrium and poise, embodies a singular journey of grace and mastery in the world of cycling.
• National Visit Your Relatives Day: Make time for family and go visit your relatives, whether that means heading across town to visit your aunt, or making a trip across the country.
• National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day: Imagine a world where HIV no longer threatens lives. National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day reminds us of that possibility. Scientists, healthcare workers, and volunteers pour their energy into finding a vaccine. Their work isn’t just about science—it’s about protecting families, friends, and future generations. Every trial, every discovery, and every...
• International AIDS Candlelight Memorial: The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial brings people together under the soft glow of candles. In homes, parks, and city squares, individuals gather to remember those lost to AIDS. The flickering lights create a shared space for reflection and unity. This event also supports those living with HIV, reminding them they...
• Mother Whistler Day: Mother Whistler Day celebrates the everyday magic of whistling. A sound that travels with ease, it turns quiet moments into playful ones. Whistling lifts moods, marks rhythm, and adds a personal beat to the world around us. It needs no grand setting—just a bit of breath and a spark of...
• Rural Life Sunday: Rural Life Sunday is a special day that honors the contributions of rural communities and their deep connection to the land. It highlights the importance of agriculture and the people who dedicate their lives to farming. This day brings attention to the beauty and significance of rural life, encouraging communities...
• International Museum Day: Visit a local museum and learn about anything from art to ancient history to aerospace. Many museums also offer virtual tours online, if you can’t get out.
• International Heritage Breeds Week: Support the survival of classic livestock breeds like Oberhasli goats, Wiltshire Wild Horn sheep, and Gloucester Old Spot pigs during Heritage Breeds Week.
• Bike to Work Week: Bike to Work Week is a special time celebrated each year across the United States. This event encourages people to ride their bikes to work or anywhere else they need to go as part of a larger movement to promote cycling and its benefits. How to Celebrate Bike to Work Week Embracing...
• Be Nice to Nettles Week: Be Nice to Nettles Week is a vibrant annual event that shines a spotlight on the humble nettle plant. Celebrated in mid-May, this period encourages us to appreciate the ecological and health benefits of nettles. How to Celebrate Be Nice to Nettles Week Here are five quirky and playful ways to dive...
• Learning at Work Week: Learning at Work Week is a special time dedicated to boosting learning culture within the workplace. Celebrated annually, this initiative encourages all types of organizations to engage in activities that foster learning among their teams. The goal is to make learning an integral part of working life, benefiting individual growth and...
• Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
• National Public Gardens Week: National Public Gardens Week shines a spotlight on the incredible beauty and significance of public gardens. Held each year in early May, it's a week-long celebration designed to highlight the vital role these gardens play in our communities. From fragrant flower displays to serene landscapes, they offer more than just...
• M.E. Awareness Week: M.E. Awareness Week, celebrated annually, highlights the struggles of people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). The week encourages empathy for those affected and serves as a time for people to learn more about this condition. The campaign is organized by various charities, patient groups, and healthcare professionals working together to increase...
• National Salvation Army Week: Supporting those in need, providing hope, and creating positive change—efforts that embody the essence of humanitarian assistance.
• I Love My State Parks Week: The United States defines up to 10,000 different areas as state parks. State parks protect more than 14 million acres of landscape, ranging from coastal beaches to forests, sandy deserts to swampland. In addition, state parks provide local residents with opportunities for recreation, access to clean and safe green spaces...

Powered by Days Of The Year

For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.