Hooray, hooray, the first of May!
May is full of interesting and fun days. There are really too many to mention on these pages…however, here is a sampling:
May 1 – Observed as May Day, a holiday and spring festival since ancient times, also observed in socialist countries as the workers’ holiday.
May 1, 1931 – The Empire State Building in New York City officially opened.
May 1 – 4 – Key West Singers and Songwriters Festival, Key West, Florida
Musical performances and conversations with major artists. Most shows are free and occur at beaches, boats, bars, resorts and theaters. Shows start early afternoon and play into the late night. For details, go to http://www.keywestsongwritersfestival.com.
May 2 – 4 – 21st Annual Hibiscus Festival, Gilchrist Park, Punta Gorda
This year’s festival will begin with the Friday evening concert from 6 to 10 p.m. Plant Sale Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday music throughout the day. For details, go to http://www.thehibiscusfestival.com.
May 3 – 4 – Fort Lauderdale Air Show
Sit on the beach and watch a three-hour air show like no other. See the Blue Angels, Polaris Program Ghost Squadron, A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, and many more as part of the show. For details, go to http://www.fortlauderdaleairshow.com.
May 4, 1932 – Al Capone began his life as convict 40886 in Atlanta Federal Penitentiary serving 11 years for Income Tax Evasion.
May 5, 1891 – Carnegie Hall originally called Music Hall had its official opening in New York City.
May 7, 1992 – The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, prohibiting Congress from giving itself pay raises.
May 11 – Mother’s Day is celebrated in the United States, honoring our mothers. It is always celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
May 14, 1804 – Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed St. Louis on their expedition to explore the Northwest. They arrived at the Pacific coast of Oregon in November of 1805 and returned to St. Louis in September of 1806, completing a journey of about 6,000 miles.
May 15, 1940 – Nylon stockings from DuPont (Nylon invented in 1935 by Wallace Carothers) went on general sale for the first time in the United States.
May 19, 1962 – Marilyn Monroe performed a rendition of “Happy Birthday” for President John F. Kennedy for his forty-fifth birthday during a fund-raiser at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
May 25, 1968 – The Gateway Arch in St. Louis standing 630 feet tall, and 630 feet wide at its base was dedicated.
May 25, 1977 – First of the Star Wars movies opened.
May 27, 1923 – First Le Mans 24-hour race.
May 30, 1911 – The first ever running of the Indianapolis 500.
May 30, 1783 – The Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first daily newspaper published in America.
May 30 – Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States, set aside for honoring U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May.
