May 20, 1940

Igor Sikorsky unveils his helicopter invention...

Personal computer history:

1988 - Apple Computer contracts with Quantum Computer Services to create AppleLink - Personal Edition. Cost is US$6-15 per hour, US$35 for software and first year's subscription, and US$35 per following year subscription.

1988 - Judge Robert Aguilor agrees to split the Apple Computer - Microsoft case into two separate phases, to decide if Microsoft had been licensed to use Macintosh features in Windows 2.03, and, if necesssary, to determine if Microsoft had violated Apple's copyrights.

1991 - The Spring Comdex trade show is held in Atlanta, Georgia.

1993 - Intel announces availability of the Pentium processor. Prices are US$878 for 60 MHz, and US$965 for 66 MHz.

1995 - Microsoft and Intuit announce the termination of their planned merger. Microsoft pays Intuit US$46.25 million in compensation for terminating the deal.

1996 - Apple Computer joins the Network Computer Coalition.

1997 - Centaur Technology shows first samples of its IDT-C6 Pentium-class microprocessor.

Walt Disney Company history:

1973 - The Tom Sawyer Island attraction opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

1973 - The Tom Sawyer Island Rafts attraction opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

1973 - The Plaza Swan Boats attraction opens on the hub in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

1973 - The Richard F. Irvine Riverboat attraction opens in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

1989 - The Disney Channel airs the final Teen Angel show.

1989 - The TV special Disneyland Blast to the Past airs on KHJ-TV in Los Angeles.

1991 - The Disney TV special The Best of Disney: 50 Years of Magic airs.

1994 - Buena Vista Home Video releases the Walt Disney Television Animation animated feature film The Return of Jafar on videocassette and laserdisc in the USA.
The Genie says "It's a small world after all", a reference to Disneyland's It's a Small World attraction.
The Genie appears as Pinocchio's Jiminy Cricket and says "just let your conscience be your guide".
The Genie appears as an exterminator from the film Arachnophobia trying to exterminate spiders.
The Genie says "Bibidy bobidy boo", a reference to Disney's Cinderella film.


1995 - The Space Mountain ride at Disneyland Paris is previewed by Annual Passholders.

2001 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A log raft ride ends with a photo being taken, exit sign, and souvenir photo area, all references to Disneyland's Splash Mountain attraction.

2005 - The ABC TV network airs The Wonderful World of Disney, featuring The Muppets' Wizard of Oz.

2007 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. One of the ingredients of a stink bomb is "sweat from a walkaround Goofy suit".

Chevrolet Corvette history:

1978 - The MGM feature film Corvette Summer premieres at the Showcase Cinema Theatre in Maumee, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio. The film is about a 1973 Corvette that is customized at a high school, then stolen. The Corvette cost US$38,000. Pre-release working title was Stingray. Terry Michaelis, of T. Michaelis Corvette Supplies, Inc. arranged to have the world premiere there, and raffles off a 1978 Corvette Indy pace car replica. Plus, every Corvette in the country was invited to the party. The Corvette parade set a new mark in the Guiness Book of Records, at somewhere between 5000 and 7000 Corvettes.

1984 - At the Summit Point International Raceway in Summit Point, West Virginia, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 2 race is held.
Finishing 2nd is the DeAtley Budweiser #1 Corvette, driven by David Hobbs.
Finishing 9th is the DeAtley Budweiser #02 Corvette, driven by Bill Scott.
Finishing 10th is the Brandt Racing #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
Finishing 13th is the DeAtley Budweiser #3 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
Finishing 14th is the Aquilante Racing #52 Corvette, driven by Thomas Aquilante.
Finishing 16th is the Deppert Racing #62 Corvette, driven by Ron Deppert.
In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the Furey Ickes Racing #26 Corvette, driven by Dan Furey.
In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the Cavendish Farms Racing #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.


2001 - At the Watkins Glen raceway in Watkins Glen, New York, the Watkins Glen 3-hour race is held, round 1? of the Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series.
Finishing 1st in SGS class and 1st overall is the Powell Motorsport #11 Corvette, driven by Powell and Doug Goad.
Finishing 2nd in SGS class and 2nd overall is the Phoenix American Motorsports #35 Corvette, driven by John Heinricy, Stuart Hayner and ? Aquilante.
Finishing 3rd in SGS class and 61st overall is the Bob Akin Motorsports #02 Corvette, driven by Davidson and Bob Akin.


2001 - At the Mosport International Raceway, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, the Trans-Am Series 125 race is held, Round Three of the SCCA - BFGoodrich Trans Am Series.
Finishing 4th is the LG Motorsports / G2 Performance Parts #28 Corvette, driven by Lou Gigliotti.
Finishing 5th is the Preformed Line Products #49 Corvette, driven by Randy Ruhlman.
Finishing 7th is the TWC Motorsports #8 Corvette, driven by Anthony Lazzaro.
Finishing 9th is the Cenweld Corporation #23 Corvette, driven by Bob Ruman.
Finishing 10th is the Motor Check / Onkyo America #6 Corvette, driven by G.J. Mennen.
Finishing 11th is the Stonier Transportation #59 Corvette, driven by Simon Gregg.
Finishing 14th is the Justin Bell GT Motorsport Experience #40 Corvette, driven by Justin Bell.
Finishing 23rd is the Eagle Racing Development #44 Corvette, driven by Kevin Allen.


World War II history:

1938 - Czech president Eduard Benes orders partial mobilization of the Czech army.

1940 - German 1st Panzer Division seizes Amiens, France.

1940 - German 2nd Panzer Division forces reach Abbéville, France.

1940 - A battalion of German 2nd Panzer Division passes through Noyelles, reaching the sea near Abbéville, France, splitting Allied forces and trapping much of it in a northern pocket. This battalion is the first German unit to reach the Atlantic coast, just ten days after the start of the offensive.

1941 - (just after dawn) Operation Mercury is launched, as German gliders and 7th Airborne Division paratroopers land near principal airports on Crete, with the mission of securing them for transport of 5th Division troops. Many gliders crash, and many paratroopers are shot in the air.

1941 - A submarine torpedoes Newfoundland-registered merchant ship Rothermere in the North Atlantic, in convoy HX-126. 22 die.

1941 - Japan's embassy in Washington, USA, replies to Tokyo that while its low-level coded messages may be compromised, its high-level diplomatic messages are secure.

1941 - (afternoon) More German paratroopers land on Crete, east of Rethimnon and around Iraklion. Losses are higher than the first wave, with half of the troops killed in the air or in early ground fighting.

1941 - Swedish cruiser Gotland sights Bismarck and Prinz Eugen in Skagerrak.

1941 - (about 2100 hours) British Admiralty is first alerted by an agent in Sweden of the sighting of German battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen travelling north through Danish waters.

1944 - A German A-4 rocket, test launched from Blizna, Poland, lands nearly undamaged in swampy ground on the bank of the River Bug, near Klimczyce. The Polish Home Army quickly locates and covers the rocket, preventing German recovery of it. A few days later they transport and begin disassembly of the rocket, informing London of their discoveries, including that the rocket is partly radio-controlled, and uses hydrogen peroxide.

2000 - Kyrgystan issues three postage stamps marking the 55th anniversary of victory in World War II.

Video game history:

1992 - Sega of America announces a partnership with Sony Electronic Publishing to develop video games on compact disks. Sega plans to introduce in November a CD-ROM player for the Sega Genesis game system, for US$299.

2000 - Konami releases the Metal Gear Solid video game for the Game Boy Color in the US.

2007 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A handheld video game looking like an original Nintendo GameBoy appears.

Swedish history:
1900 - (to October 28) The 2nd Olympic Games are held in Paris, France. Sweden wins one gold and one bronze medals.

1940 - A German Dornier Do 26 plane violates Swedish air space, and opens fire on a railway station. Sven Sjöberg is killed.

Sports history:
1734 - First Jockey Club forms in South Carolina.

1879 - 5th Kentucky Derby: Charlie Shauer aboard Lord Murphy wins in 2:37.

1900 - (to October 28) The 2nd Olympic Games are held in Paris, France.

1911 - E M Grace cricketer (one Test vs Australia 1880, 36 and 0), dies.

1913 - 38th Preakness: James Butwell aboard Buskin wins in 1:53.4.

1926 - Dick Pougher cricketer (17 and 3-26 in only Test for England 1892), dies.

1927 - Birth of [Harold] Bud Grant Wisconsin, Canadian Football League/NFL player/coach (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings).

1931 - Birth of Chiharu Igaya Japan, slalom (Olympics-silver-1956).

1937 - Birth of Dave Hill Jackson Michigan, PGA golfer (1967 Memphis).

1938 - Birth of Christina Bass-Kaiser Dutch 3K speed skater (Olympics-gold-1972).

1939 - Joe Carr NFL hall of famer/NFL president (1921-39), dies at 59.

1940 - Amar Singh cricketer (of pneumonia Indian pace bowler 1932-36), dies.

1940 - Birth of Sadaharu Oh of Yomiuri Giants (Japan), hit 868 career homeruns.

1940 - Birth of Stan Mikita NHL center (led NHL in scoring four times).

1940 - Soccer team HZVV forms in Hoogeveen.

1941 - Chicago White Sox Taft Wright sets American League record of RBIs in 13 consecutive games.

1943 - Birth of Deryck Murray cricket wicket-keeper (West Indian 1963-80).

1944 - Birth of Keith Fletcher cricket captain (Essex and England).

1945 - Keith Miller scores 105 in the first Victory Test Cricket at Lord's.

1946 - Birth of Bakhaavaa Buidaa Mongolia, wrestler (Olympics-silver-1972) disqualified.

1946 - Birth of Craig Patrick NHL coach.

1946 - Chicago Cubs Claude Passeau makes his first error since September 21, 1941, ending pitcher's fielding record of 273 consecutive errorless chances.

1948 - Cleveland Indians tie American League record of 18 walks (beat Boston Red Sox 13-4).

1950 - 76th Preakness: Eddie Arcaro aboard Hill Prince wins in 1:59.2.

1956 - Birth of Andrew Hilditch cricketer (Australian opening bat 1979-85).

1956 - Birth of Tomas Smid Czechoslovakia, tennis star.

1958 - Birth of Mike Engleman Sonoma California, cyclist (Olympics-1996).

1959 - New York Yankees sink to last place, first time since May 25, 1940.

1960 - Baseball game in Milwaukee postponed due to dense fog.

1961 - 87th Preakness: Johnny Sellers aboard Carry Back wins in 1:57.6.

1961 - Birth of Clive Allen WLAF kicker (London Monarchs).

1961 - Birth of Sally Quinlan LPGA golfer.

1961 - Birth of Vaughn Jefferis Matangi New Zealand, equestrian three day event (Olympics-bronze-1996).

1962 - Patty Berg wins LPGA Muskogee Civitan Golf Open.

1963 - Birth of David Wells Torrance California, pitcher (Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees).

1963 - Birth of Dipak Chudasama cricketer (Kenya opening batsman 1996 World Cup).

1964 - Birth of Jeff Schwarz US baseball pitcher (California Angels, Chicago White Sox).

1964 - Birth of Todd Peat WLAF guard (Frankfurt Galaxy).

1964 - Buster Mathis defeats Joe Frazier to qualify for US Olympic team.

1965 - Birth of Bruno Marie-Rose French runner (world record 200 metre indoor).

1965 - Birth of Joe Cioe Cranston Rhode Island, Canadian Tour golfer (New Hampshire Open-1992, 93).

1965 - Birth of Todd Stottlemyre Yakima Washington, pitcher (Saint Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays).

1965 - Yorkshire all out for 23 vs Hampshire at Middlesbrough.

1966 - Birth of Lawyer Tillman NFL tight end (Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers).

1966 - Birth of Liselotte Neumann Finspang Sweden, LPGA golfer (1988 US Women's Open).

1967 - 93rd Preakness: Bill Shoemaker aboard Damascus wins in 1:55.2.

1967 - Birth of Beate Reinstadler Stuttgart Germany, tennis star (1989 Futures Israel).

1968 - Albert Hartkopf cricketer (one Test for Australia), dies.

1968 - Birth of Damon Mays NFL wide receiver (Pittsburgh Steelers).

1968 - Birth of Phil Hansen NFL defensive end (Buffalo Bills).

1969 - Birth of Alberto Mancini Argentina, tennis star.

1970 - Birth of Jason York Nepean, NHL defenseman (Anaheim Mighty Ducks).

1970 - Birth of Missy Cress Burbank California, female catcher (Colorado Silver Bullets).

1970 - Birth of Niklas Andersson Kungalv Sweden, NHL forward (Team Sweden, New York Islanders).

1970 - Birth of Terrell Brandon NBA guard (Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks).

1971 - Birth of Jonas Berqvist Angelhorn Sweden, hockey forward (Team Sweden, Olympics-1998).

1971 - Birth of Niklas Andersson Kungalv Sweden, NHL left wing (New York Islanders).

1971 - Birth of Sandy Schreur Dutch soccer player (NEC).

1972 - 5th ABA Championship: Indiana Pacers beat New York Nets, 4 games to 2.

1972 - 98th Preakness: Eldon Nelson aboard Bee Bee Bee wins in 1:55.6.

1973 - Donna Caponi Young wins LPGA Bluegrass Golf Invitational.

1974 - Birth of Brandon Jessie tight end (New York Giants).

1978 - 104th Preakness: Steve Cauthen aboard Affirmed wins in 1:54.4.

1979 - Nancy Lopez wins LPGA Coca-Cola Golf Classic.

1980 - Jack Walsh cricketer (at Wallsend)/commentator (NBN), dies.

1981 - Ipswich Town wins 10th UEFA Cup at Amsterdam.

1983 - Larry Holmes beats Tim Witherspoon in 12 for heavyweight boxing title.

1983 - Michael Dokes and Mike Weaver fight to a draw in 15 for heavyweight boxing title.

1983 - Philadelphia Phillies Steve Carlton passes W Johnson with second most strike outs.

1984 - Barb Bunkowsky wins LPGA Chrysler-Plymouth Charity Golf Classic.

1984 - Boston Red Sox's Roger Clemens beats Minnesota Twins, 5-4, for his first victory.

1985 - Cleveland Indians-Milwaukee Brewers game at Cleveland Stadium is first rain-out of 1985, ends record string of 458 ML games since Opening Day without a rain-out.

1985 - Larry Holmes beats Carl Williams in 15 for heavyweight boxing title.

1987 - Götenborg wins 16th UEFA Cup at Dundee.

1987 - Wrestler Jerry Lawler sues WWF and Harley Race for trademark name "king".

1988 - Mike Schmidt hits his 535th homerun, moving into 8th place.

1989 - 115th Preakness: Pat Valenzuela aboard Sunday Silence wins in 1:53.8.

1990 - Cindy Rarick wins LPGA Planters Pat Bradley Golf International.

1991 - Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan named NBA's Most Valuable Player.

1991 - Baseball pitcher Jeff Reardon gains his 300th career save.

1994 - Death of Lauren Wilson, Canadian figure skater (born 1987).

1995 - 121st Preakness: Pat Day aboard Timber Coutry wins in 1:54.4.

1995 - Minnesota Twins Marty Cordova ties rookie record of homeruns in five consecutive games.

1995 - Everton FC beats Manchester United 1-0 to win the FA Cup.

1997 - Chicago White Sox player Frank Thomas reaches base safely for 15th straight time.

2000 - Death of Malik Sealy, Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player.

2006 - Barry Bonds catches Babe Ruth with his 714th home run.

Space exploration history:

1974 - Soyuz 14 returns to Earth.

1978 - US launches Pioneer Venus 1; produces first global radar map of Venus.

1990 - Hubble Space Telescope sends first photographs from space.

1992 - India launches its first satellite independently.

1993 - Ten-metre meteor comes within 150,000 km of Earth (1993KA).

1997 - Cosmos Zenit-2 Launch (Russia), Failed.

1997 - Thor-2A Delta 2 Launch (Norway/USA), Successful.

Extreme weather history:
526 - Earthquake kills 250,000 in Antioch, Syria.

1293 - Earthquake strikes Kamakura Japan, 30,000 killed.

1916 - Codell Kansas hit by tornado (also on same date in 1917 and 1918).

1919 - Volcano Keluit on Java, erupts killing 550.

1992 - In Pakistan, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurs. At least 36 people killed and 100 injured, at least 400 houses destroyed.

And last,(from me anyway) but certainly not least.
A Canadian spin on May 20th.

1980 QUEBEC SAYS NO
Quebec - Quebec votes No by 59.56% to René Lévesque's referendum to get a mandate to negotiate Quebec's sovereignty-association with the rest of Canada; the No forces were led by Claude Ryan; first live coverage of a Canadian referendum; Lévesque says to his supporters: 'If I understand you correctly, what you are telling me is, Next Time!' Trudeau promises 'renewed federalism' even if it means patriating the constitution over the Quebec government's objections.

1948
Also On This Day...
Rome Italy - George 'Buzz' Beurling killed at age 26 when the Norseman plane he is piloting for the Israeli underground army Haganah blows up at Urbe airport. Canada's top World War II air ace with 31 1/2 kills, Beurling was born on the Miramachi, and brought up in Verdun Quebec; a high school dropout, he hung around airports until he learned to fly, failed to join the RCAF, but got into the RAF; shot down 27 German planes over Malta in a two week period, earning him the DFC, DSO, DFM and Bar He was buried in Rome's English cemetery between the graves of Keats and Shelley, but two years later the grateful state of Israel exhumed his body, laid him in state in Haifa, and buried him at the base of Mount Carmel, near the cave of Elijah the Prophet.

1948 And in Today's Canadian Birthdays...
Dave Thomas 1948-
comedy writer, actor, TV host, producer, was born on this day at St. Catherines, Ontario in 1948. Thomas came to fame as a regular on the Second City TV Network, playing Doug McKenzie (Great White North, opposite Rick Moranis' Bob), Bill Needle, Angus Crock, Lin Ye Tang, Tim Ishimuni, Tex Boil, Harvey K-Tel, Bob Hope, Walter Cronkite and Angus Crock; he has also appeared on The New Show, the Dave Thomas Show, and as Grace Under Fire's pharmacist Russell Norton; also in the films Stripes (1981) and Strange Brew (1983.)


Also Otto Jelinek 1940-
figure skater, entrepreneur, politician, was born on this day in 1940. Jelinek started skating pairs with his sister Mari in 1950. By 1955 they had won the Canadian Junior Pair title and came second at the senior level in 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1960. In 1961 and 1962 they won the Canadian title and were silver medalists at the 1960 Worlds. Finally in 1962 they won gold in the Pairs at the World Figure Skating Championships. From 1963 to 1968 they skated with the Ice Capades.

Also Stan Mikita 1940-
hockey player, was born on this day in 1940. Mikita played for the Chicago Blackhawks, and was Hart Memorial Trophy Winner as NHL MVP in 1967 and 1968.

Also Warren Cann 1952-
rock & roll drummer, songwriter, of Ultravox, was born on this day in 1952.


In Other Events... 1996 Cannes France - Toronto director David Cronenberg's film Crash wins the Prix SpŽcial du Jury for daring, originality and audacity; after scandalous reception in France, the film will win two Genies, for best adapted screenplay and best director, in November. 1990Ottawa Ontario - Lucien Bouchard sends telegram of support to the Parti Quebecois National Council meeting at Alma praising those who fought for the Yes side during the 1980 Referendum; many of his fellow Progressive Conservative caucus members are outraged; leads to his resignation from the Party and the Commons May 22. 1990Alma Quebec - Parti Quebecois National Council issues 46 page pamphlet outlining proposals on achieving Quebec independence; discusses army, passports, common currency with Canada. 1986Nepal - Sharon Wood and Dwayne Congdon of Canmore, Alberta, reach the summit of Mount Everest; Wood the first North American woman to climb the world's highest peak. 1984Victoria BC - Robert Skelly 1943- elected leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party. 1978Montreal Quebec - Willie Stargell hits 535-foot home run off Wayne Twitchell to lead the Pirates' to a 6-0 win over the Expos; longest home run ever in the Olympic Stadium. 1977Toronto Ontario - J. Pearce Bunting replaces Jack Kimber as President and CEO of the Toronto Stock Exchange. 1975Ottawa Ontario - Ottawa approves 840 km Inter-provincial Pipeline extension from Sarnia to Montreal. 1975Ottawa Ontario - Supreme Court of Canada upholds right of citizens to challenge provincial movie censorship laws. 1971Montreal Quebec - Francis Simard sentenced to life imprisonment for the October 17, 1970 murder of Quebec Labor Minister Pierre Laporte. 1970New York City - The Guess Who's American Woman/No Sugar Tonight stays at #1 on the Billboard pop chart; Winnipeg based group. 1967Ottawa Ontario - Air Canada DC-8 crashes near Ottawa on training flight, killing three veteran pilots. 1963Montreal Quebec - RCMP arrest 20 young FLQ members for terrorist acts; Mario Bachand later sentenced to four years in jail for planting post box bombs in Westmount, including the one that maimed Canadian Army engineer Sergeant-Major Walter Leja. 1938Vancouver BC - 500 unemployed members of Relief Project Worker's Union start sit-down strike in Hotel Georgia; paid $500 to leave; strikers stay in Art Gallery. 1932St. John's Newfoundland - Amelia Earhart takes off from Newfoundland for Ireland; will became the first woman to make a solo plane flight across the Atlantic. 1923London England - New Brunswick-born British Prime Minister Bonar Law resigns due to ill health; replaced by Stanley Baldwin. 1900Paris France - Opening of the second modern Olympic Games in Paris, with 22 nations and 1330 competitors; will last five months, until Oct. 28. Canada does not send an official team, but Canadian George Orton, running for the US, will take the gold medal in the 2500m steeplechase. 1882Brandon Manitoba - Brandon incorporated as a city. 1879Ottawa Ontario - Charles Tupper 1821-1915 first director of the new Department of Railroads and Canals; a Minister will now have jurisdiction over all railways pertaining to the Dominion Government; previously under Public Works. 1870Ottawa Ontario - Adams George Archibald 1814-1892 appointed first Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba and North West Territory; serves until Dec. 1, 1872. 1862Ottawa Ontario - George-Etienne Cartier 1814-1873 sees his Militia Bill defeated; Macdonald Cartier government resigns. 1859Nanaimo BC - George Barstow elected Mayor of Nanaimo with only one vote cast. 1851Kingston Ontario - Province of Canada issues its first postage stamps. 1851Kingston Ontario - Opening of fourth session of third Parliament of Canada; meets until Aug. 30; normal school in Canada East; medical schools in Montreal and Toronto. 1836Toronto Ontario - City of Toronto & Lake Huron Railway Company incorporated. 1814Sackett's Harbour New York - James Yeo 1782-1818 blockades Sackett's Harbour for three weeks during the War of 1812. 1806 BC - John Stuart 1779-1847 journeys up the Peace River with Simon Fraser; Stuart the uncle of Donald A. Smith, later Lord Strathcona. 1803Montreal Quebec - Chief Justice William Osgoode declares slavery to be inconsistent with the laws of Canada. 1786PEI - St. John Island separates from Nova Scotia; later named Prince Edward Island. 1776London England - Mariot Arbuthnot 1711-1794 appointed Lieutenant Governor and administrator of Nova Scotia; serves from May 13, 1776 to Aug. 17, 1778. 1776Vaudreuil Quebec - British defeat American invasion force in skirmish at Vaudreuil. 1774London England - Parliament passes the Quebec Act, extending the boundaries of the province northwards to Hudson's Bay and as far south as the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. 1760Montreal Quebec - François, Duc de Lévis sets out from Montreal with his 7,000 strong army to retake Quebec from the British. 1751Toronto Ontario - Pierre Robineau de Portneuf 1708-1761 orders trader Joseph Dufeaux to build a larger post, Fort Rouillé, to the east of Fort Toronto; on the site of the CNE. 1668Quebec Quebec - Jacques Marquette 1637-1675 starts upriver to join Father Claude Dablon and open a mission at Sault Ste-Marie that will serve 2,000 Algonkians. 1616Midland Ontario - Samuel de Champlain c1570-1635 leaves Huronia to visit the Nipissing tribe after wintering with the Hurons. 1497Bristol England - John Cabot [Giovanni Caboto Montecataluna] c1450-1498 departs Bristol on the Matthew with a crew of about 20; his second voyage to the new world.

May 21, 1968

Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones got arrested at his Chelsea flat for possession of cannabis, his second drug bust in just over a year. I know, it's only rock and roll... but I like it.

22 May 1859: birth of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle in Edinburgh. So waht price a big Sherlock Holmes celebration next year to mark his 150th?)

May 22, 1942

Boston Red Sox star slugger Ted Williams enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the V-5 naval aviator program. He was allowed to play out the remainder of the 1942 season before serving.

May 23

1430 Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English

1533 Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon was annulled

1618 The Defenestration of Prague occurred.Hurrah![ This is the only event, apart from the Diet of Worms, in 'European' history that 'any fule kno' as Molesworth has it, or 'every (English) schoolboy ' does. Of course, none of us could ever remember why it was significant, but we loved both the name and the idea. Chucking people out of upstairs windows appeals to the boyish mind.The Diet of Worms has an appeal which is self-explanatory to any child who ever ate school meals in my day]It marked the start of the Thirty Years War (The Times informs us readers ). And no,I can't remember anything much about that (and I had it as a special subject paper in my national history exam at 18). I've a feeling that Sweden had something to do with it and it was an away game between Spain and France, fought on neutral territory in somewhere convenient, like Holland or Germany

1934 Bonnie and Clyde were shot dead.[As should Boney M have been, for singing about it. Well, I say 'singing' . There was a black man who was always there in the group but merely danced about and never sang and never played an instrument ]

May 23, 1970

The Grateful Dead peforms in England--their first performance outside of the U.S....

May 24th.

Read me now

May 25, 1935

Playing for the lowly Boston Braves, George Herman "Babe" Ruth hit the last 3 home runs of his illustrious career in a game against the Pittsburh Pirates at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The last two homers, #713 & #714, came off of Guy Bush. (Ruth's record of 714 would stand until April of 1974)

May 25th 1977, Star Wars opened and more

Yeah, that was 30 years ago, Roog. You can take off the storm trooper outfit now.

Is that all you got?
I contribute to your "little" thread here and you give me a shot.
I will not be deterred.

May 26

1950 The British Government announced the end of petrol [gas ] rationing, some five years after the end of World War II. (It was reinstated for five months during the Suez crisis in 1957)

1923 The first Le Mans 24-hour car race was won by Lagache and Leonard at an average speed of 57.2 mph

May 26, 1963

The Beatles performed at Liverpool's Empire Theatre on a bill that included Roy Orbison.

Michael Barrett was executed outside the walls of Newgate Prison on May 26, 1868 before a crowd of two thousand who booed, jeered and sang Rule Britannia and Champagne Charlie as his body dropped.
His was the last public hanging in Britain.

May 27

1895 Oscar Wilde was found guilty on counts of "unlawfully committing acts of gross indecency with Charles Parker and Alfred Wood and with persons unknown", contrary to section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1895 .The announcement of the verdicts was greeted with a cry of "shame" from the public gallery. Mr Justice Wills said it had never been his lot to try a case of this kind so bad. One had to put stern constraint upon oneself from describing, in language he would rather not use, the sentiments which must rise in the breast of every man who had any spark of decent feeling in him and who had heard the details of these two terrible trials.In his judgment the severest sentence which the law allowed was totally inadequate to such a case as this. The sentence was that each of them be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two years.

Wilde lived penniless for just three more years after his release.

Times change, do they not?