Today in history

Today is the 132nd day of 2022 and the 54th day of spring.

Today’s history: In 1937, King George VI of the United Kingdom and Elizabeth, the future queen mother, were crowned at a ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

nIn 1858, Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd U.S. state.

nIn 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of Berlin.

nIn 2008, a magnitude-8.0 earthquake struck in Sichuan province, China, leaving more than 69,000 people dead, 18,000 missing and 4.8 million homeless.

nIn 1997, the IBM chess-playing computer Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov with two wins, one loss and three draws in a six-game match.

nIn 1998, the first euro coins were minted in France.

Today’s fact: South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union, in 1860, and was readmitted in 1868.

Today’s sports: In 2008, Cleveland Indians second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera turned the 14th unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history.

Today’s quote: “Religion is like a pair of shoes. Find one that fits for you, but don’t make me wear your shoes.” -- George Carlin

Today’s number: 4 -- American presidents who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama).

Today moon: Between first quarter moon (May 8) and full moon (May 15).

Birthdays:

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Edward Lear (1812-1888), painter/poet; Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), nurse; Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003), actress; Yogi Berra (1925-2015), baseball player/ manager; Burt Bacharach (1928- ), composer; George Carlin (1937-2008), comedian; Gabriel Byrne (1950- ), actor; Ving Rhames (1959- ), actor; Tony Hawk (1968- ), skateboarder; Catherine Tate (1968- ), actress; Malin Akerman (1978- ), actress; Jason Biggs (1978- ), actor; Rami Malek (1981- ), actor; Domhnall Gleeson (1983- ), actor; Emily VanCamp (1986- ), actress.