Today's Trivia and What Happened on May 1

Today's Puzzle

Today's Puzzle

Its inventor doesn't want it.
Its buyer doesn't need it.
The man who needs it doesn't know it.
What is it?

A coffin.

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Quote: A cat is more intelligent than people believe, and can be taught any crime. - Mark Twain

Quote: A cat is more intelligent than people believe, and can be taught any crime. - Mark Twain Close Large View

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Holidays

Children dancing around a maypole Children dancing around a maypole
Photo Credit: Paul Barnett

Children dancing around a maypole Children dancing around a maypole
Photo Credit: Paul Barnett
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May Day

Traditional springtime festival marking the first day of summer or as an international day honoring workers. Traditional activities include dancing around a maypole.
In 1889, May Day was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day by the socialists and communists of the Second International, as well as anarchists, labor activists, and leftists in general around the world, to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago and the struggle for an eight-hour working day.
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Although not related to May Day, the distress call "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" was created in 1923 when senior radio officer at Croydon Airport in London Frederick Stanley Mockford was asked to come up with a word to indicate distress that could easily be understood by all pilots and ground staff in an emergency. Since much of the traffic at the time was between Croydon and Le Bourget Airport in Paris, he proposed the word "Mayday", the phonetic pronunciation of the French m'aidez ("help me"). Convention requires the mayday be repeated three times in a row during the initial emergency declaration ("Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!") to prevent it being mistaken for similar-sounding phrases.

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What Happened On

Iraq War - Mission Accomplished?

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Iraq War - Mission Accomplished?

May 1, 2003

"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." U.S. President George W. Bush speaking underneath a banner made by White House staff stating "Mission Accomplished," less than six weeks into the war.

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The Vampira Show

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The Vampira Show

May 1, 1954

TV's first horror show hosted by a costumed character premieres. The Vampira Show was hosted by Maila Nurmi dressed as the Vampira character she created. The Vampira character was created when Nurmi attended a masquerade ball in a costume inspired by the character Morticia Addams. Her costume attracted the attention of TV producer Hunt Stromberg who asked her to host a horror show.

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Model 500 Telephone

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Model 500 Telephone

May 1, 1950

The new AT&T model 500 telephone becomes widely available to Bell System operating companies. The 500's numbers and letters were positioned to the outside of the dial to make them more visible. This helped reduce dialing time and dialing errors. The 500 was also superior in performance over previous phones and included automatic gain circuits that allowed it work equally well in both long and short loops from the central office.
Originally available only in black, in 1954 the colors ivory, green, dark gray, red, brown, beige, yellow, and blue were added.
This basic design was made until the 1984 Bell System divestiture.

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Empire State Building

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Empire State Building

May 1, 1931

The Empire State Building opens in New York City. At a height of 1,250 feet, it was the world's tallest building.

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1881 Postal Card 1881 Postal Card

1881 Postal Card 1881 Postal Card
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First U.S. Postal Card

May 1, 1873

The first U.S. government-produced postcard is issued. It cost one cent. One side was for the recipient's address and the other was for the message.
By law, the government postcards were the only postcards allowed to bear the term "Postal Card". Previously, private companies had been producing postcards, but they cost 2¢ to mail as opposed to 1¢ for the new government-printed cards. This was changed in 1898, when Congress made the cost of mailing both private and government-produced postcards the same, however, private cards were required to use the phrase "Private Mailing Card", whereas government-produced cards still read "Postal Card".
The world's first government-produced postal card was by Austria-Hungary in 1869.

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Stainless Banner

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Stainless Banner

May 1, 1863

During the American Civil War, the Confederacy officially changed its flag to what became known as the "Stainless Banner". The previous "Stars and Bars" flag was disliked because it looked too much like the Union flag. The new flag featured the Confederate Battle Flag on a white background.
The design was the result of an editorial in the Savannah Morning News by editor William Tappan Thompson suggesting the battle flag on a white background he referred to later as "The White Man's Flag." Thompson wrote, "As a people we are fighting to maintain the Heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race; a white flag would thus be emblematical of our cause."
The first official use of the "Stainless Banner" was to drape the coffin of General "Stonewall" Jackson as it lay in state in the Virginia capitol.
This flag too was later replaced, as it was easily confused with the white flag of surrender.

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First Christmas Cards

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First Christmas Cards

May 1, 1843

John Callcott Horsley of England designs the first commercially-produced Christmas cards. The center panel featured a family feasting with the words "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." The side panels depict the poor being given food and clothing. The design stirred controversy, as it depicted young children drinking wine. One thousand were printed and sold in London for a shilling a piece, followed by a second printing of another 1,050.
And thus began the commercialization of Christmas.

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First Adhesive Postage Stamp

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First Adhesive Postage Stamp

May 1, 1840

"Penny Blacks" from Great Britain are issued.

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Iraq War - Downing Street Memo

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Iraq War - Downing Street Memo

May 1, 2005

The minutes of the British Prime Minister's meeting of July 2002 are published by The Sunday Times, stating that "Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy" and that "Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided. But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbours, and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea, or Iran." British officials did not dispute the document's authenticity.

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Gary Hart Scandal

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Gary Hart Scandal

May 1, 1987

U.S. Presidential candidate Gary Hart spends the night with 29-year-old model Donna Rice. The ensuing scandal would force him to drop out of the race.

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Elvis Marries Priscilla

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Elvis Marries Priscilla

May 1, 1967

Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu. The only other entertainer to attend was Redd Foxx.

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U-2 Incident

May 1, 1960

A U.S. U-2 spy plane is shot down in the Soviet Union. The pilot, Gary Powers, was convicted of spying by the USSR. In 1962 he was exchanged for the Russian spy Rudolf Abel. Abel had been convicted of spying in the hollow nickel spy case, in which he transported microfilm inside a hollowed-out nickel.

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Divorce

May 1, 1931

Nevada's 6-week easy divorce law goes into effect.

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Painting Battle of Manila Bay by W. G. Wood, showing the Reina Cristina (foreground) in action against Dewey's squadron Painting Battle of Manila Bay by W. G. Wood, showing the Reina Cristina (foreground) in action against Dewey's squadron

Painting Battle of Manila Bay by W. G. Wood, showing the Reina Cristina (foreground) in action against Dewey's squadron Painting Battle of Manila Bay by W. G. Wood, showing the Reina Cristina (foreground) in action against Dewey's squadron
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Spanish-American War - Battle of Manila Bay

May 1, 1898

U.S. Commodore George Dewey virtually destroys the Spanish fleet while American losses were minimal.
The battle took place in Manila Bay in the Philippines, and was the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War and was one of the most decisive naval battles in history and marked the end of the Spanish colonial period in Philippine history.

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Great Britain

May 1, 1707

The union of England and Scotland becomes effective, adopting the name Great Britain.

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First Colonial Congress

May 1, 1690

Summoned by Jacob Leisler in New York to plan action against the French and Indians.

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Birthdays

Scott Carpenter

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Scott Carpenter

Born May 1, 1925 d. 2013

American astronaut, one of the seven original Project Mercury astronauts (1959). He was the second American to orbit the Earth and the fourth American in space.

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Jack Paar go to Video for Jack Paar

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Jack Paar

Born May 1, 1918 d. 2004

American host. In 1957, he took over as host of TV's The Tonight Show (later renamed The Jack Paar Show) after the original host Steve Allen quit to do a primetime variety show. Paar famously walked off his show after a water closet joke he told was censored by the network, not returning for a month. After The Jack Paar Show, he hosted The Jack Paar Program (1962-65).

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Add Trivia to Your Web Page

Charles Zimmy

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The Human Fish

Charles Zimmy (Charles Zibelman)

Born May 1, 1893 d. 1952

American legless swimmer. Known as "The Human Fish." In 1937, he swam from Albany to NYC, a distance of 150 miles (241 km). He lost his legs at age nine in an accident and his legless body provided enough buoyancy to float while sleeping.

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Charles Kassel Harris go to Video for Charles Kassel Harris

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First Million-Seller Song

Charles Kassel Harris

Born May 1, 1867 d. 1930

American songwriter. "King of the Tear Jerker." He wrote After the Ball (1892), the first million-seller song. Sold as sheet music, it was the best-selling sheet music of its era and eventually sold 5 million copies. Although slow selling at first, it was performed regularly by John Philip Sousa and his band at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and soon became an international hit. It was also used in the 1927 musical Show Boat (and later film productions) to exemplify 1890's music.
His next hit was the 1897 song Break the News to Mother, about a dying soldier, which coincided with the Spanish-American War. It became a hit again in 1917 during World War I.

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Calamity Jane

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Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary)

Born May 1, 1852 d. 1903

American wild west character, Indian fighter, famous citizen of Deadwood, South Dakota. Her dying request, "Bury me beside Wild Bill."

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This is a birthday

Douglas Barr

Born May 1, 1949

American actor. TV: The Fall Guy (1981-86, Howie Munson) and Designing Women (1987-91, Bill Stillfield).

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Rita Coolidge

Born May 1, 1945

American Grammy-winning singer. Music: We're All Alone (1977) and The Way You Do The Things You Do (1978).

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This is a birthday

Max Robinson

Born May 1, 1939 d. 1988

American newscaster, the first U.S. black network news anchor.

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This is a birthday

Joseph Heller

Born May 1, 1923 d. 1999

American author. Writings: Catch-22 (1961).

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This is a birthday

John Beradino

Born May 1, 1917 d. 1996

American actor. TV: General Hospital (Dr. Steve Hardy from the show's inception in 1963 till his death). He also played major league baseball from 1939 to 1953.

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Glenn Ford

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Glenn Ford (Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford)

Born May 1, 1916 d. 2006

Canadian-American actor. Film: Gilda (1946) and Blackboard Jungle (1955), 3:10 to Yuma (1957), and Superman (1978, Clark Kent's adoptive father). TV: Cade's County (Sam Cade).
Quote: On being rushed, "I've only got one other speed, and it's slower."

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Mother Jones

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Mother Jones (Mary Harris Jones)

Born May 1, 1830 d. 1930

Irish-born American labor leader, agitator, and advocate for striking workers. Jones worked as a teacher and dressmaker, but after her husband and four children all died of yellow fever (1867) and her dress shop was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire (1871), she began working as an organizer for the Knights of Labor and the United Mine Workers union. She also fought against the lax child labor laws in the Pennsylvania mines and silk mills.

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Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley)

Born May 1, 1769 d. 1852

British general, prime minister (1828-30). He defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo (1815).

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Deaths

Reeves in the movie Hercules Reeves in the movie Hercules

Reeves in the movie Hercules Reeves in the movie Hercules
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Steve Reeves

Died May 1, 2000 b. 1926

American actor, body builder. He held the Mr. America (1947), Mr. World (1948), and Mr. Universe (1950) titles. At one time, he was the highest paid actor in Europe. Film: Hercules (1958).

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Evelyn McHale Photo Credit: Robert Wiles

Evelyn McHale Photo Credit: Robert Wiles
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Most Beautiful Suicide

Evelyn McHale

Died May 1, 1947 b. 1923

American bookkeeper. She committed suicide by jumping from the 86th floor Observation Deck of the Empire State Building. A student photographer took a photo of her shortly after her death showing her gloves and dress outfit earning her the title, "The Most Beautiful Suicide."
Her suicide note referenced her mother, who had also suffered depression, stating, "I don't want anyone in or out of my family to see any part of me. Could you destroy my body by cremation? I beg of you and my family - don't have any service for me or remembrance for me. My fiance asked me to marry him in June. I don't think I would make a good wife for anybody. He is much better off without me. Tell my father, I have too many of my mother's tendencies."

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Stanley finding Livingstone Stanley finding Livingstone

Stanley finding Livingstone Stanley finding Livingstone
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Dr. Livingstone, I Presume?

David Livingstone

Died May 1, 1873 b. 1813

Scottish explorer, missionary. In 1871, he was found in Africa by reporter Henry Stanley, prompting the famous quote: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

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John Walker Photo Credit: Sebastian Ritter

John Walker Photo Credit: Sebastian Ritter
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Inventor of the Friction Match

John Walker

Died May 1, 1859 b. 1781

English chemist. Invented the friction match (1826). Early matches, including Walker's, were dangerous as flaming balls of fire would sometimes fall to the floor burning carpets and dresses, leading to their ban in France and Germany.
He refused to patent his idea, feeling it was too trivial of an invention.

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Gordon Lightfoot Photo Credit: Arnielee

Gordon Lightfoot Photo Credit: Arnielee
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Gordon Lightfoot

Died May 1, 2023 b. 1938

Canadian singer, songwriter. Music: If You Could Read My Mind (1970), Sundown (1974, #1), and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (1976).
His song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was based on a true event.
His song Sundown was about his then mistress Cathy Smith, who in 1982 injected the fatal overdose that killed John Belushi.

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Olympia Dukakis Photo Credit: Montclair Film

Olympia Dukakis Photo Credit: Montclair Film
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Olympia Dukakis

Died May 1, 2021 b. 1931

American Oscar-winning actress. Film: Moonstruck (1987, Oscar) and Steel Magnolias (1989).

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Whitney as Star Trek's Janice Rand Whitney as Star Trek's Janice Rand

Whitney as Star Trek's Janice Rand Whitney as Star Trek's Janice Rand
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Grace Lee Whitney (Mary Ann Chase)

Died May 1, 2015 b. 1930

American actress. Known for her role as Star Trek's Janice Rand (1966, 8 episodes), Captain James T. Kirk's personal assistant. Her character was supposed to be Kirk's ongoing love interest. But, the producers decided they would rather Kirk be more of a space playboy; so her character was written out after eight episodes.
Whitney reprised her role as Janice Rand in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), and also played a woman in the cafeteria in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984).

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Spike Jones (Lindley Armstrong Jones)

Died May 1, 1965 b. 1911

American musician. Music: All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth (1948, #1).

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Joseph Goebbels

Died May 1, 1945 b. 1897

German Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister. He killed his family and himself when the Allies entered Berlin.

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François Laurent d'Arlandes

Died May 1, 1809 b. 1742

French marquis, balloonist. He and Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier made the first manned free balloon flight (1783)

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John Dryden

Died May 1, 1700 b. 1631

English poet, essayist. He instigated the rule of not ending a sentence with a preposition.

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This is a death

Saint Pius V

Died May 1, 1572 b. 1504

Italian religious leader, 225th Pope (1566-72). Canonized in 1712, he excommunicated Elizabeth I of England, expelled the Jews from Church states, and was dedicated to the extermination of the Huguenots.

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Marcellus II

Died May 1, 1555 b. 1501

religious leader, 222nd Pope (April - May 1555).

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