Poor Gabriel's Almanac

Interesting things that happened May 16th:

Birthdays on this date:

In 1801 William H. Seward, who bought Alaska at $0.02/acre
In 1905 Henry Fonda (in Grand Island, Nebraska), actor (The Grapes of Wrath, On Golden Pond, My Name Is Nobody, Once Upon a Time in the West)
In 1912 Studs Turkel, author, social activist
In 1913 Woody Herman, bandleader
In 1931 Lowell Weicker, US Senator (R-CT, 1971-89)
In 1953 Pierce Brosnan (in Ireland), actor (Remington Steele, Bond series)
In 1955 Debra Winger (in Columbus, Ohio), actor (Terms of Endearment)
+ Olga Korbut (in Russia), gymnast (Gold, 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games)
In 1966 Janet Jackson, singer, Michael's sister
In 1969 Tracey Gold, actor (Growing Pains, Safe Harbor)
In 1970 Gabriela Sabatini, tennis professional, raqueteer

Events worth noting:

In 1763 James Boswell first meets Samuel Johnson.
In 1770 Marie Antoinette married the future King Louis XVI of France
In 1863 Battle of Champion's Hill. Bloodiest action of Vicksburg Campaign.
In 1866 Congress authorizes nickel 5-cent piece (the silver half-dime was used up to this point).
In 1872 Metropolitan Gas Company lamps lit for first time.
In 1914 Ewing Field, near Masonic Street, opens.
In 1920 Joan of Arc was canonized in Rome.
In 1927 Bob Meusel steals second, third, and Home.
In 1929 First Academy Awards were given out. 'Wings' won best picture. Best Actor went to Emil Jennings; Best Actress, Janet Gaynor.
In 1948 Israel issues its first stamps.
In 1955 American author and critic James Agee died in New York.
In 1956 Kraft Theatre presented an act from 'Profiles in Courage.'
In 1957 Yanks involved in Copacabana Incident, leads to Billy Martin trade.
In 1963 22nd Mersenne prime (2^9,941 - 1) is discovered.
In 1969 Venera 5, Venus landing. First successful landing on another planet.
In 1971 First Class Mail now costs 8 cents (was 6 cents).
In 1975 Japanese Junko Tabei became first woman to reach Mt Everest's summit.
In 1984 Actor Andy Kaufman dies.
In 1990 Sammy Davis, Jr., "The Complete Entertainer", dies of throat cancer. Later that day, Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, dies from pneumonia and complications.

And remember ...

Better Hearing and Speech Month
Older Americans Month

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Although efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, several errors have been found in the past. Don't place any bets on the basis of what you find here. If you spot an error, write to Poor Gabriel at poorgabriel@mystery.com .