MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

Today is the 135th day of 2023 and the 57th day of spring.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1918, the United States launched its first regular airmail service.

In 1970, President Richard Nixon appointed Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington the first female U.S. Army generals.

In 1972, Alabama Gov. George Wallace was shot and left permanently paralyzed below the waist while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in Maryland.

In 1988, Soviet troops began withdrawing from Afghanistan.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS:MADELEINE Albright (1937-2022), former secretary of state; Roger Ailes (1940-2017), news executive; Brian Eno (1948- ), singer-songwriter/musician; Chazz Palminteri (1952- ), actor; George Brett (1953- ), baseball player; Dan Patrick (1957- ), sportscaster; Emmitt Smith (1969- ), football player;

Ray Lewis (1975- ), football player; Andy Murray (1987- ), tennis player.

TODAY’S FACT: Las Vegas was founded on this day in 1905, when the 110 acres that would eventually become downtown were purchased at auction.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 2004, Smarty Jones won the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race by a record margin of 11 1/2 lengths.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “This is the way to get ideas: never to let adverse circumstances discourage you, but to believe there is a way out of every difficulty, which may be found by earnest thought.” -- L. Frank Baum, “Rinkitink in Oz”

TODAY’S NUMBER: 40,275 -- Mcdonald’s restaurants worldwide in 2022. The first Mcdonald’s restaurant opened in San Bernardino, California, on this day in 1940.

TODAY’S MOON: Between last quarter moon (May 12) and new moon (May 19).