May 19

Scott Winters May 19, 2025 2 Comments

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:

1796 – The first U.S. game law was approved. The measure called for penalties for hunting or destroying game within Indian territory.

1847 – The first English-style railroad coach was placed in service on the Fall River Line in Massachusetts.

1856 – U.S. Senator Charles Sumner spoke out against slavery.

1857 – The electric fire alarm system was patented by William F. Channing and Moses G. Farmer.

1903 – The Buick Motor Company was incorporated in Detroit, MI.

1906 – The Federated Boys’ Clubs, which later becomes the Boys’ Clubs, was founded.

1911 – The first American criminal conviction that was based on fingerprint evidence occurred in New York, NY.

1921 – Congress passed the Emergency Quota Act, which established national quotas for immigrants.

1926 – Thomas Edison spoke on the radio for the first time.

1928 – The first frog-jumping jubilee held in Calaveras County, CA.

1935 – The National Football League (NFL) adopted an annual college draft to begin in 1936.

1958 – Canada and the U.S. formally established the North American Air Defense Command.

1962 – Marilyn Monroe performed a sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday” for President John F. Kennedy. The event was a fund-raiser at New York’s Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.

1965 – FBI agents visited Wand Records to investigate the lyrics to the song “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen.

1972 – A Fond du Lac, WI man consumed eight Big Macs from McDonald’s to begin his streak of eating a Big Mac every day. He has consumed over 32,000 Big Macs. He now averages two a day.

1973 – Secretariat won the second jewel in the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.

1974 – Erno Rubik invented the puzzle what would later become known as the Rubik’s Cube. The Rubik’s Cube has 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 different combinations!

1975 – Elton John’s “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” album was released in the United States. It was the first album to be certified a million-seller on its first day of release.

1981 – The Empire State Building was designated a New York City, NY Landmark.

1989 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average passed 2,500 for the first time. The close for the day was 2,501.1.

1992 – Vice President Dan Quayle criticized the CBS sitcom “Murphy Brown” for having its title character decide to bear a child out of wedlock.

1992 – In Massapequa, NY, Mary Jo Buttafuoco was shot and seriously wounded by Amy Fisher. Fisher was her husband Joey’s teen-age lover.

1992 – The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect. The amendment prohibits Congress from giving itself midterm pay raises.

1993 – Michael Jackson was honored by the Hollywood Guinness World of Records Museum for setting numerous show business records.

1993 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 3,500 (3,500.03) for the first time.

1994 – The final episode of TV’s “In Living Color” aired on Fox.

1994 – Former First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in New York, NY at 64.

1995 – Susan Lucci lost for the 15th year at the Daytime Emmys.

1996 – The TV show “Murder, She Wrote”, starring Angela Lansbury, came to an end after 12 seasons.

1999 – “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” opened in theaters and set a record for opening day ticket sales of $28.5 million.

1999 – Rosie O’Donnell and Tom Selleck got into an uncomfortable verbal issue concerning gun control on O’Donnell’s talk show.

2000 – The bones of the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton went on display in Chicago, IL.

2000 – Disney released the movie “Dinosaur.”

2002 – Vecepia “Vee” Towery, an office manager from Portland, OR, won CBS’s “Survivor: Marquesas”.

2003 – Hundreds of Albert Einstein’s scientific papers, personal letters and humanist essays were made available on the Internet. Einstein had given the papers to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in his will.

2005 – “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” brought in $50 million in its opening day.

2006 – The movie “The Da Vinci Code”, starring Tom Hanks, opened in theaters.

2009 – The TV show “Glee” premiered.

2013 – The Yahoo board approved the $1.1 billion purchase of the blogging site Tumblr.

2018 – England’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married. It is estimated that more than three billion people watched the event on television or the internet.

2020 – The Edenville, Michigan dam collapsed, forcing 10,000 people to leave their homes.

BIRTHDAYS:

David Hartman – 90 years old (1935) – Television personality (TV’s “Good Morning America” 1975 to 1987, “Lucas Tanner”)

James Fox – 86 years old (1939) – Actor (“Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines”, “King Rat”, “The Chase”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Isadora”, “Performance”)

Nancy Kwan – 86 years old (1939) – Actress (“The World of Suzie Wong”)

Stephen Young – 86 years old (1939) – Actor (TV’s “Judd, for the Defense”, movies “Patton”, “Soylent Green”, “The Silent Partner”)

James P. Hoffa – 84 years old (1941) – Head of the Teamsters Union, son of its most famous leader. Born in Detroit, MI.

Pete Townshend – 80 years old (1945) – Guitarist (The Who)

David Helfgott – 78 years old (1947) – Concert pianist

Grace Jones – 77 years old (1948) – Singer, actress (“Boomerang”, “A View to a Kill”, “Conan the Destroyer”)

Phil Rudd – 71 years old (1954) – Drummer (AC/DC)

Steven Ford – 69 years old (1956) – Actor, son of President Gerald Ford. Born in East Grand Rapids, MI.

Martyn Ware – 69 years old (1956) – Musician (The Human League)

Iain Harvie – 63 years old (1962) – Guitarist (Del Amitri)

Jenny Berggren – 53 years old (1972) – Singer (Ace of Base)

Dario Franchitti – 52 years old (1973) – Race car driver

Eric Lloyd – 39 years old (1986) – Actor (“The Santa Clause” films, TV’s “Jesse”)

Sam Smith – 33 years old (1992) – Singer

TODAY IS:

National Devil’s Food Cake Day: Indulge in the devilishly delicious experience of a rich, chocolaty Devil's Food Cake. With its velvety texture and heavenly aroma, one bite will send you straight to dessert heaven!
Malcolm X Day: Malcolm X Day, commemorates the legacy of a prominent civil rights leader. Born Malcolm Little, the man behind this day became a pivotal figure in the fight for racial equality in the United States! How to Celebrate Malcolm X Day Dive Into Books and Films Start the day by diving into literature...
National May Ray Day: Go outside, plan a picnic, and break out the shorts or summer dresses to usher in the warm rays of May sunshine, flowers, and fresh outdoors air.
Hepatitis Testing Day: Imagine feeling perfectly fine while something dangerous grows quietly inside you. That’s the risk with hepatitis B and C. These viruses often don’t cause symptoms right away. Many people live for years without realizing they’re infected. During that time, the virus can damage the liver and spread to others. Hepatitis Testing...
Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day: Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day is all about recognizing the people who speak and act on behalf of the community. These are the leaders who face pressure, make tough choices, and try to improve lives through laws and local action. They often work long hours, juggling complex tasks, without much...
Plant Something Day: Plant Something Day invites everyone to dig in and add a touch of green to their surroundings. Whether it's a flowerpot on a windowsill or a tree in the yard, each plant contributes to a healthier environment. This day encourages individuals to connect with nature, fostering a sense of accomplishment...
World Family Doctor Day: World Family Doctor Day celebrates the unique role of family doctors in our communities. These professionals often serve as the first point of contact in healthcare, offering personalized care that spans generations. They manage a wide range of health issues, from routine check-ups to chronic conditions, ensuring continuity and trust...
World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day: Everyday life can feel like a minefield for someone with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. It’s not just a stomach issue—it’s a condition that disrupts work, school, meals, and even sleep. IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which cause painful inflammation in the gut. Flare-ups can strike...
Supply Chain Professionals Day: Have you ever thought about how the items you buy make their way to the store shelves? Supply Chain Professionals Day shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes behind this magic! How to Celebrate Supply Chain Professionals Day Organize a Thank-You Parade Why not organize a lively thank-you parade in honor of supply...
Victoria Day: Curtsey for the reigning queen of style and grace! This iconic monarch ruled with an iron fist and a loving heart. So raise a cup of tea and toast to the one and only Queen Victoria.
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.
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...
Dementia Action Week: Dementia Action Week is a key time of action. It’s time to step up your game on behalf of those who live with the disease. This event means different things while being significant to many different people. But one thing about it is the same -- it should bring us all...
Noise Action Week: Noise Action Week is an exciting event dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of noise pollution on our daily lives. This week-long initiative encourages everyone to think about the noise they create and how it affects others. It's a time for communities to come together, learn about noise reduction...
Walk to School Week in the UK: Walk to School Week in the UK is a vibrant event encouraging kids to embrace walking as part of their daily routine. This week-long initiative highlights the benefits of walking over driving, making it an engaging and fun experience for children! How to Celebrate Walk to School Week Host a...
National Safe Sun Week: National Safe Sun Week is a special time dedicated to educating people about the dangers of too much sun and how to stay safe. Held in the last week of May, right before the Memorial Day holiday, it marks the beginning of summer. This is when folks often start spending...
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...
Italian Beef Week: What's better than sinking your teeth into a juicy sandwich piled high with tender beef, topped with sweet peppers?