Did you know that on this day in 1671 Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempts to steal England‘s Crown Jewels from the Tower of London? Or that it was on this day in 1936 Italy formally annexes Ethiopia after taking the capital Addis Ababa on May 5?
And on this day in 1950 Robert Schuman presents his proposal on the creation of an organized Europe, which according to him was indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the “Schuman declaration“, is considered by some people to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union, in 1970 during the Vietnam War, in Washington, D.C., 75,000 to 100,000 war protesters demonstrate in front of the White House, in 1980 in Florida, Liberian freighter MV Summit Venture collides with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay, making a 1,400-ft. section of the southbound span collapse. 35 people in six cars and a Greyhound bus fall 150 ft. into the water and die and in 2001 in Ghana 129 football fans die in what became known as the Accra Sports Stadium Disaster. The deaths are caused by a stampede (caused by the firing of teargas by police personnel at the stadium) that followed a controversial decision by the referee.
Some birthdays you may want to remember on this day are J. M. Barrie, Scottish author (1860-1937), Howard Carter, British archaeologist (1874-1939), Mike Wallace, American journalist (1918-2012), Richard Adams, English author (1920), Roger Hargreaves, English children’s author (Mr. Men) (1935-1988), Candice Bergen, American actress (1946), Billy Joel, American musician (1949), Dave Gahan, English singer (Depeche Mode) and Paul Heaton, English singer/songwriter (Beautiful South) (both born in 1962).
Need a reason to raise a glass of bubbly on this day? Why not look into the celebration of Europe Day, commemorating the Schuman Declaration. (European Union)?
For more information about historic events on this day, please go here.
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