Anniversaries and commemorations come and go daily. Most of us, even the best historians, miss most occasions. If we think of history as events then we are faced with a continually showering in the grains of sand. Nevertheless, we do pick out certain patterns in the remembrance of historical dates. The blog here reminds us of some dates where the local, state, national, and global perspectives entwine.
On 1, Wednesday May 1844, The Hong Kong Police Force, the world’s second, Asia’s first modern police force, is established.
On 1, Saturday May 1869, A submarine telegraph cable is completed, joining Tasmania to the mainland.
On 1, Tuesday May 1894, Coxey’s Army arrives in Washington; Coxey is arrested on the Capitol grounds.
On 1, Tuesday May 1894, The May Day Riots (against unemployment) break out in Cleveland, Ohio.
On 1, Thursday May 1919, Lance Barnard, Deputy Prime Minister, born (died 1997)
On 1, Thursday May 1919, A large left-wing demonstration in France leads to a violent confrontation with the police.
On 1, Thursday May 1919, Riots break out in Cleveland, Ohio; 2 people are killed, 40 injured, and 116 arrested.
On 1, Thursday May 1919, Lance Barnard, Australian politician, born (d. 1997)
On 1, Thursday May 1919, Manna Dey, Indian playback singer, born (d. 2013)
On 1, Thursday May 1919, Mohammed Karim Lamrani, Prime Minister of Morocco, born (d. 2018)
On 1, Thursday May 1919, Dan O’Herlihy, Irish film actor, born (d. 2005)
On 1, Monday May 1944, WWII: Two hundred Communist prisoners are shot by the Germans at Kaisariani, Athens, Greece in reprisal for the killing of General Franz Krech by Partisans at Molaoi.
On 1, Monday May 1944, Suresh Kalmadi, Indian politician, born
On 1, Monday May 1944, Costa Cordalis, German singer, born
On 1, Thursday May 1969, Wes Anderson, American director, producer, screenwriter and actor, born
On 1, Thursday May 1969, Ella Logan, Scottish-American actress and singer, died (b. 1910)
On 1, Tuesday May 1979, Greenland is granted limited autonomy from Denmark, with its own Parliament sitting in Nuuk.
On 1, Tuesday May 1979, Lars Berger, Norwegian biathlete and cross-country skier, born
On 1, Tuesday May 1979, Mauro Bergamasco, Italian rugby union player, born
On 1, Tuesday May 1979, Morteza Motahhari, Iranian cleric & politician, died (b. 1919)
On 1, Monday May 1989, Andrés Rodríguez, who had seized power and declared himself President of Paraguay during a military coup in February, wins a landslide victory at a general election marked by charges of fraud.
On 1, Monday May 1989, Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World opens to the public for the first time.
On 1, Monday May 1989, Francisco do Borja Pereira do Amaral, Brazilian Roman Catholic bishop, died (b. 1898)
On 1, Monday May 1989, Edward Ochab, Polish activist and politician, 13th President of Poland, died (b. 1906)
On 1, Sunday May 1994, Adelaide City become NSL Champions for the third time, defeating a Mark Viduka inspired Melbourne Knights at Olympic Park.
On 1, Sunday May 1994, Three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna is killed in an accident during the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.
On 1, Sunday May 1994, Ayrton Senna, Brazilian Formula One driver, died (b. 1960)
On 1, Saturday May 1999, Jos LeDuc, Canadian professional wrestler, died (b. 1944)
On 1, Friday May 2009, George Hannan, 98, politician, died
On 1, Friday May 2009, Sunline, 13, racehorse, died
On 1, Thursday May 2014, Paul Ramsay, 78, businessman, died
On 1, Thursday May 2014, Peter Ruscuklic, 58, VFL football player (Fitzroy, Geelong), died
Other On This Day days in history
Neville Buch