Today in history
Today is the 130th day of 2022 and the 52nd day of spring.
Today’s history: In 1837, after months of economic downturn, several New York banks refused to convert paper currency to gold or silver, setting off the Panic of 1837.
n In 1869, a golden spike was driven in Promontory, Utah, in ceremonies marking the symbolic completion of the U.S. transcontinental railroad.
n In 1940, Winston Churchill was appointed prime minister of Great Britain following Germany’s invasion of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
n In 2013, the spire of One World Trade Center was completed, making it the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.
Today’s fact: When Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s government fell in 1940, King George VI himself summoned Winston Churchill to Buckingham Palace and asked him to form a government.
Today’s sports: In 1970, Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins scored the game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime to give Boston the Stanley Cup title over the St. Louis Blues.
Today’s quote: “Parents don’t make mistakes because they don’t care, but because they care so deeply.” -- T. Berry Brazelton
Today’s number: 140,000 -- miles of freight railroad track currently in operation in the United States.
Today moon: Between first quarter moon (May 8) and full moon (May 15).
Birthdays:
Fred Astaire (1899-1987), singer/dancer/actor; David O. Selznick (1902-1965), film producer; T. Berry Brazelton (1918-2018), pediatrician/author; Pat Summerall (19302013), football player/broadcaster; Donovan (1946- ), singer-songwriter; Bono (1960- ), singer-songwriter; Linda Evangelista, (1965- ), supermodel; Kenan Thompson (1978), actor; Odette Annable (1985- ), actress; Salvador Perez (1990- ), baseball player.