May 21

Scott Winters May 21, 2025 1 Comment

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:

1819 – Bicycles were first seen in the U.S. in New York, NY. They were originally known as “swift walkers”. Within a month, the city banned the bikes because they felt they were hazardous to public safety.

1832 – The Democratic Party held its first national convention.

1834 – Detroit installed its first streetlights.

1881 – The American branch of the Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton in Washington, DC.

1881 – The United States Lawn Tennis Association was formed in New York, NY.

1891 – Peter Jackson and Jim Corbett fought for 61 rounds only to end in a draw.

1904 – Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was founded.

1906 – Louis H. Perlman received his patent for the demountable tire-carrying rim.

1914 – The Greyhound Bus Company was formed in Minnesota.

1927 – Charles A. Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean when he landed at Le Bourget Field in Paris. The trip began May 20.

1929 – The first automatic electric stock quotation board was used by Sutro and Company of New York, NY.

1929 – William Henry Storey registered the trademark for the board game “Sorry!” in the U.K.

1931 – The robin was named the official state bird of Michigan.

1932 – Bad weather forced Amelia Earhart to land in a pasture in Derry, Northern Ireland. She became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

1934 – Oskaloosa, IA, became the first city in the U.S. to fingerprint all of its citizens.

1937 – The song “My Michigan” was adopted as the official state song. The song as composed and written by Giles Kavanagh and H. O’Reilly Clint. It was chosen because it expressed the hopes, ambitions and pride of the people of the State of Michigan. “My Michigan” should not be confused with the song “Michigan, My Michigan” by Douglas Malloch.

1947 – Joe DiMaggio, and five of his New York Yankee teammates, were fined $100 because they had not fulfilled contract requirements to do promotional duties for the team.

1954 – An amendment to lower the voting age to 18 was defeated.

1956 – The U.S. exploded the first airborne hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean over Bikini Atoll.

1968 – The nuclear-powered U.S. submarine Scorpion, with 99 men aboard, was last heard from. The remains of the sub were later found on the ocean floor 400 miles southwest of the Azores.

1969 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a ten-day “bed-in” in Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

1980 – “The Empire Strikes Back”, the second film in the “Star Wars” series, opened across the U.S.

1990 – The last episode of TV’s “Newhart” was broadcast by CBS.

1992 – The TV show “Real World” debuted on MTV. Seven strangers were placed in a home and we learned “what happens… when people stop being polite… and start getting real”.

1992 – After 30 seasons, Robin Williams and Bette Midler were Johnny Carson’s last guests on TV’s “The Tonight Show”, one night before the show aired its final episode.

1997 – Susan Lucci lost out in the running for the Best Actress Daytime Emmy for a 17th consecutive year.

1998 – Kip Kinkel, an expelled high school student in Springfield, OR, killed two people and wounded 25 others with a semi-automatic rifle in a school shooting spree. After he was apprehended, police learned that the boy had killed his parents the day before the rampage.

1998 – Microsoft and Sega announced that they were collaborating on a home video game system.

1999 – On her 19th try, Susan Lucci finally won a Daytime Emmy for best actress on TV’s “All My Children”.

2001 – The first Bratz dolls hit the shelves as Yasmin, Jade, Sasha, and Cloe were introduced to the public.

2005 – The tallest roller coaster in the world at the time, Kingda Ka, opened at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, NJ.

2008 – David Cook was crowned TV’s “American Idol: Season 7” champ. David Archuleta took the runner-up spot.

2011 – Radio broadcaster Harold Camping predicted that the end of the world would occur on this day. Obviously, he was wrong.

2013 – Microsoft announced the release of Xbox One.

2014 – Caleb Johnson won TV’s “American Idol”.

2014 – The National September 11 Museum opened to the public.

2017 – The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed their last show at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale, NY.

BIRTHDAYS:

Ronald Isley – 84 years old (1941) – Musician (The Isley Brothers)

Bill Champlin – 78 years old (1947) – Musician (Chicago)

Carol Potter – 77 years old (1948) – Actress (TV’s “Beverly Hills, 90210)

Leo Sayer – 77 years old (1948) – Singer

Al Franken – 74 years old (1951) – Comedian, author, politician (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”, movie “Stuart Saves His Family”)

Mr. T – 73 years old (1952) – Actor (TV’s “The A Team”)

Stan Lynch – 70 years old (1955) – Drummer (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

Judge Reinhold – 68 years old (1957) – Actor (“Beverly Hills Cop”, “Ruthless People”, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”)

Nick Cassavetes – 66 years old (1959) – Actor (“Face/Off”)

Fairuza Balk – 51 years old (1974) – Actress (“Deuces Wild”, “Almost Famous”, “The Waterboy”, “American History X”, “The Craft”)

TODAY IS:

World Meditation Day: Slow the pace of life for a time and focus on yourself. By meditating, you can reduce stress, improve brain function and well-being, and get a break from daily life.
National Talk Like Yoda Day: Feel the force flow through you as you speak like Yoda! With his unique, backwards-grammar style, this legendary Jedi master is the epitome of quirky cool. So channel your inner Yoda and let the wisdom of the force guide your words.
International Tea Day: While everyone loves a cup of tea, many of the workers and producers of that tea face poor conditions and pay. Help raise awareness and keep tea fair.
World Day for Cultural Diversity: The blending of customs, beliefs, and traditions creates a vibrant tapestry of perspectives, enriching societies worldwide.
National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day: Every year on this day, we celebrate Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day. This special day emphasizes the importance of including more fruits and vegetables in our diets. The founders of this day, the Dole Food Company, started it to tackle unhealthy eating habits and raise awareness about how such habits...
Firewalking Festival: Nestinarstvo, also known as the Firewalking Festival, is a captivating ritual practiced in a few Bulgarian and Greek villages. Participants, called "nestinari," perform an awe-inspiring dance on hot embers, holding sacred icons of Saints Constantine and Helena. Learn About the Firewalking Festival This ritual symbolizes a deep spiritual connection, believed to protect...
Cool Sword Day: Made of iron, steel, or other metals and often decorated with various precious jewels or filigree, swords of the past were much more than just weapons. They were masterpieces of craftsmanship! And even today, though not often seen or used in real life, the artistry of sword-making and sword-fighting continues...
National Waitstaff Day: Make sure to leave a good tip as well as giving a big thank-you to the waitstaff who serve us food at restaurants, often while underpaid and overworked.
National Memo Day: Send someone a memo to let them know it’s National Memo Day! This time-honored method of passing on information has helped offices run for generations.
I Need A Patch For That Day: Take a day to tackle those quick fixes you’ve been putting off, whether it’s a patch for your software or a patch for your jeans, bike tire, or anything else.
International Customer Support Day: Behind every great product or service, there's a superhero-like team of friendly helpers, ready to save the day and put a smile on your face!
National Juice Slush Day: National Juice Slush Day is all about enjoying a fun, frozen drink that mixes sweet juice with crushed ice. It’s the kind of treat that feels like a cool breeze on a hot day. With every sip, the bright flavors pop—grape, cherry, orange, or maybe something tropical. It's not fancy...
End of the World: A wild theory that had some on edge, but when the fateful day arrived, it was just another ordinary sunrise.
National Strawberries and Cream Day: Savor the sweet taste of summer with a bowl of juicy strawberries and creamy delight! This classic combination is the epitome of simplicity and indulgence. So go ahead, treat yourself to a little bit of heaven.
National Employee Health and Fitness Day: National Employee Health and Fitness Day celebrates the idea of bringing movement into the workday. It highlights why physical activity matters for people who spend hours in offices or on screens. It shows how a few simple steps—like a stretch break or a walk around the building—can recharge minds and...
National American Red Cross Founder’s Day: National American Red Cross Founder's Day celebrates the birth of a remarkable organization dedicated to humanitarian aid. Founded by Clara Barton, known as the "Angel of the Battlefield" for her tireless work during the Civil War, the American Red Cross has become a beacon of hope. This day honors the...
Turn Beauty Inside Out Day: Turn Beauty Inside Out Day flips the script on beauty standards. Instead of focusing on appearances, it highlights kindness, creativity, and courage. The day encourages everyone to value traits like empathy and honesty over looks. It reminds us that true beauty shines from within. This celebration challenges the narrow ideals often...
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?