History Today

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 16th. People around the world have been reporting clearer skies and cleaner water--an unexpected side effect of COVID-related stay at home orders. But it’s not the first time nature has demonstrated an ability to heal itself: Another came after scientists announced the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica on this day in 1985.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 15th. The United States has never had a female president, but women have served in other positions of power--including as Speaker of the House, on the Supreme Court and as Secretary of State. The first woman to hold that role, Madeline Albright, was born on this day in 1937.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 14th. If Jerry, Kramer, George and Elaine feel like members of the family, then you just might have been one of 76 million people that tuned in to watch the series finale of Seinfeld on this day in 1998. One of the most popular sitcoms in television history ended with all four of the main characters landing in jail, just as Jerry and George finally snag their long-awaited TV deal.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 13th. “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” So said Winston Churchill in his first speech as the prime minister of Great Britain on this day in 1940, in the midst of World War II. That same evening, Churchill was informed that Britain would need 60 fighter squadrons to defend against German attack. It had 39.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 12th. If you’ve ever seen Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Philadelphia Story or On Golden Pond, then you’re familiar with the work of legendary actress Katherine Hepburn, who was born on this day in 1907. Hepburn received a total of 12 Oscar nominations--a record that stood until 2003, when Meryl Streep received her 13th nomination.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 11th. He’s been called one of the most influential figures in music, although he died when he was just 36. The life of Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician Bob Marley was tragically cut short by cancer on this day in 1981.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 10th. With today’s phones as ubiquitous as they are useful, we look back to this day in 1877, when President Rutherford B. Hayes had the White House’s first telephone installed in the mansion’s telegraph room. Hayes embraced the new technology though he rarely received phone calls. In fact, the Treasury Department possessed the only other direct phone line to the White House at the time.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 9th. Mother’s Day is tomorrow, and whether you’ve sent flowers, a card or are planning a virtual visit, you’re part of a tradition that dates back to this day in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 8th. Sketch comedy institution Saturday Night Live is now in its 45th season, and with cast members currently creating the show from home, we look back to this day in 2010 when Betty White became the oldest SNL host ever. Half a million fans campaigned on Facebook to get the then 88-year-old actress and comedian to host the show, and the internet got its wish six months later when White appeared with musical guest Jay Z.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 7th. It was an act that shocked and angered the American public: On this day in 1915, a German submarine fired a torpedo at the British ship Lusitania off the southern coast of Ireland. It sank 20 minutes later, drowning more than 1,200 people, including many women and children. 128 Americans were among those killed, and the move brought the US one step closer to joining the war on the Allied side.