Facts
of the Day:
Today is Thursday, May 8, 2008. This is the 129th day of
the year, with 237 days remaining in 2008.
Fact of
the Day: turkey
Domestication of the common turkey was probably begun
by the Indians of Pre-Columbian Mexico. The birds were first taken to
Spain about 1519,
and from Spain they spread throughout Europe, reaching England in 1541.
When the bird became popular in England, the name turkey-cock, formerly
used for the guinea fowl of Islamic (or "Turkish") lands, was
transferred to it. English colonists then introduced European-bred strains
of the turkey to eastern North America in the 17th century. Turkeys were
mainly bred for their beautifully colored plumage until about 1935, after
which the breeding emphasis changed to their meat qualities.
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Events:
1541 - Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River,
which he called Rio de Espiritu Santo.
1794 - The United States Post Office was established.
1846 - The first major battle of the Mexican War was fought at Palo
Alto, Texas, with a victory for General Zachary Taylor's forces.
1886 - Atlanta pharmacist John Styth Pemberton invented the flavored
syrup for Coca-Cola.
1886 - The Presidential Succession law was passed in the U.S., providing
for succession to presidency in the event of the death of the President
and/or Vice President.
1902 - On the Caribbean island of Martinique, the
volcano Mount Pelée
erupted, killing 30,000 people.
1945 - President Harry Truman announced the end of World War II in a
radio address.
1945 - V-E Day {Victory in Europe) was celebrated throughout the free
world. Germany surrendered in a second ceremony, in Berlin.
1970 - The Beatles 13th, and last, album, "Let It Be," was
released.
1973 - Militant Native Americans who had held the South Dakota hamlet
of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks, surrendered.
2005 - The new Canadian War Museum opens in Ottawa, Ontario.
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Holidays:
Czech Republic: Liberation Day.
France: Victory Day.
Slovakia: Liberation Day.
World Red Cross Day.
Norway: Liberation Day.
Feast day of St. Indract, St. Odger, St. Victor, St. Wiro, St. Peter
of Tarentaise, St. Benedict II, pope, St. Boniface IV, pope, St. Gibrian,
St. Plechelm, St. Desideratus of Bourges, and St. Acacius.
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B'Day's:
1828 - Jean Henri Dunant, Swiss philanthropist, founder of the Red
Cross and YMCA, first recipient (jointly) of the Nobel Peace Prize.
1847 - Oscar Hammerstein I, American playwright, producer.
1884 - Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States of America
(1945-1953)
. 1905 - Roberto Rossellini, Italian film director.
1926 - David Attenborough, English naturalist and broadcaster.
1953 - Alex Van Halen, Dutch drummer and co-founder of the rock band
Van Halen.
1975 - Enrique Iglesias, Spanish singer.
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