Alan Shepard became the first American in space in 1961, Mary Dixon Kies obtained the first US patent for a hat-making method in 1809, Mexico defeated the French in 1862 in a battle now celebrated as Cinco de Mayo, the first train robbery in the US occurred in 1865, Carnegie Hall opened in 1891, Spider-Man grossed over $100 million in its opening weekend in 2002, the first perfect baseball game was pitched in 1904, West Germany gained full sovereignty in 1955, John Scopes was arrested for teaching evolution in 1925, and Napoleon died in exile in 1821.
The first American went into space. (1961) Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. became the first American in space on this day when he was launched into orbit inside the Freedom 7 space capsule. It has been just under a month since the first person ever went into space : Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, from the USSR.
The first patent was granted to a woman in the United States. (1809) Mary Dixon Kies obtained a patent for a method of making hats by weaving straw with silk and thread.
Mexican forces defeated the French in an event later celebrated as Cinco de Mayo. (1862) It was a major victory for Mexico in the Franco-Mexican War, and was one of the first real signs that the country could defend itself against major foreign powers. The day is now celebrated as a national holiday in Mexico.
The first train robbery took place in the United States. (1865) Details of the North Bend robbery, the first train robbery in the United States, are sketchy, due to newspaper articles of the time. Depending on the newspaper, the crime was said to have been committed by Confederate guerrilla soldiers out of work since the end of the war about a month earlier or simply by random criminals. The robbers fled with more than 1,000 US dollars (USD) in cash, as well as the passengers’ valuables.
Carnegie Hall opened. (1891) It was originally known as the Music Hall of New York City, and had its first public performance on this day, with Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky as special guest conductor.
Spider-Man grossed more than $100 million dollars in its opening weekend. (2002) It was the first film to gross that much in its opening weekend and held that record until The Dark Knight broke it in 2008.
The first “perfect” baseball game has been pitched. (1904) The first perfect game – so called if no player reaches a base during nine innings of play – was pitched by Cy Young on this day.
West Germany gained full sovereignty. (1955) The country had been occupied by Allied forces since the end of World War II just as East Germany was occupied by USSR forces. The country remained sovereign until the two parts of Germany reunited in 1990.
John Scopes was arrested for teaching the theory of evolution. (1925) Scopes’ trial, known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, was hugely publicized, and although Scopes lost, the verdict was overturned on a technicality. After the trial, many science programs expanded to include the theory of evolution in their curricula.
Napoleon died. (1821) The former emperor of France died in exile and was buried in Sant’Elena, where he had been sent after fleeing exile on the island of Elba. Due to a dispute over which of his titles should be on his gravestone, his grave was left empty until his remains were repatriated to France.
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