"Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on May 14th.

As we count down to this summer’s Olympics, we look back on this day 120 years ago, when the first Olympic Games held in the United States, opened in St. Louis, Missouri. The 1904 Games were actually initially awarded to Chicago, Illinois, but were later given to St. Louis to be staged in connection with the St. Louis World Exposition. Like the Second Olympiad, held in Paris in 1900, the St. Louis Games were poorly organized and overshadowed by the World’s Fair.

Surprising fact? There were few entrants other than Americans in the various events—so U.S. athletes won most competitions and the unofficial team championship. 

Also on this day in history: In 1804, Lewis and Clark departed to explore the Northwest; in 1973, America’s first space station, Skylab, was launched; and in 1998, Frank Sinatra died."

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