Cleveland History
- May 13, 1976: The Cleveland Health Museum, now known as the HealthSpace Cleveland, was accredited by the American Association of Museums, enhancing its reputation as a leading institution for health education in the region.
- May 14, 1901: The electric streetcar was introduced in Cleveland, revolutionizing public transportation in the city and marking the beginning of a new era in urban mobility.
- May 15, 1967: Cleveland’s Hough area was officially declared a renewal area following the destructive Hough riots of 1966, leading to significant urban development and community investment projects.
- May 17, 1939: The Terminal Tower, an iconic part of Cleveland’s skyline, was officially completed. At the time, it was one of the tallest buildings in the world outside of New York City.
- May 19, 1971: The Cuyahoga River caught fire near Cleveland, highlighting severe pollution issues. This event spurred significant environmental legislation and helped inspire the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the annual celebration of Earth Day.
World History
- May 13, 1846: The United States Congress declared war on Mexico after a request from President James K. Polk, marking the beginning of the Mexican-American War.
- May 14, 1948: The State of Israel was officially declared an independent nation just before the British Mandate was due to expire, leading to widespread celebrations in Israel and immediate conflict with neighboring Arab states.
- May 15, 1957: The United Kingdom conducted its first successful test of a hydrogen bomb on Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean, joining the United States and the Soviet Union as the only countries at the time capable of such a feat.
- May 17, 1954: In the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional, effectively ending legal racial segregation in public schools across America.
- May 19, 1962: Marilyn Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to President John F. Kennedy at a celebration for his 45th birthday, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This performance became one of the most famous moments in American popular culture.