DAY IN HISTORY

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023

Today is the 144th day of 2023 and the 66th day of spring.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

In 1844, Samuel Morse sent the first electrical telegraph message, “What hath God wrought,” from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to an assistant in Baltimore.

In 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened in New York City.

In 1941, the German battleship Bismarck sank the British battle cruiser HMS Hood, killing 1,415 crewmen and leaving just three survivors.

In 2022, a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including 19 children, two teachers and the gunman. TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS:

Queen Victoria (18191901), British monarch; H.B. Reese (1879-1956), candy maker; Bob Dylan (1941- ), singer-songwriter; Patti Labelle (1944- ), singer-songwriter; Priscilla Presley (1945- ), actress; Jim Broadbent (1949- ), actor; Kristin Scott Thomas (1960- ), actress; Michael Chabon (1963- ), author; John C. Reilly (1965- ), actor; Tracy Mcgrady (1979- ), basketball player; Joey Logano (1990- ), race car driver.

TODAY’S FACT: In 1864, a telegram containing the 16,543-word Nevada Constitution arrived in Washington, D.C. after being sent two days earlier from Carson City, Nevada. It is thought to be the longest telegram ever sent, at a cost of $4,313.27. TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1964, a riot erupted at the

National Stadium in Lima, Peru, after a referee’s call during a soccer match between Peru and Argentina. More than 300 fans were killed, and more than 500 were injured. TODAY’S QUOTE: “Nothing is boring except to people who aren’t really paying attention.” -- Michael Chabon, “Summerland” TODAY’S NUMBER: 14,680 -- the total weight, in tons, of the Brooklyn Bridge. TODAY’S MOON: Between new moon (May 19) and first quarter moon (May 27).