Important Events From This day in History May 17

 

17 May, 1936 U.S.A. New Deal

1936 : A number of proposals are being looked at to finance " The New Deal " program including a flat tax on all corporate income, and also an increase in the normal income tax rate from 4% to 5%.

17 May, 1946 U.S.A. Railroads Seized By Truman

1946 : President Harry S. Truman uses U.S. troops to seize control of US railroads, delaying a threatened strike by engineers and trainmen.

17 May, 1943 Germany Dam Busters Raid

1943 : Lancaster bombers use the revolutionary bomb designed to bounce on the water to bypass dam defenses ( immortalized in a 1954 war film Dambusters ) . The bombs were invented for the task by aircraft engineer Dr Barnes Wallis with pilots flying the Lancaster bombers just 100 ft above the water. The destruction of the dams two on the rivers Möhne and Sorpe, and a third on the River Eder caused flood waters to sweep through the Ruhr valley, damaging factories, houses and power stations.

17 May, 1875 U.S.A. First Kentucky Derby

1875 : In front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people, a field of 15 three-year-old horses contested the First Kentucky Derby in 1875 at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky.

17 May, 1955 U.S.A. End Segregation

1955 : The Chief Justice Earl Warren has indicated that a ruling will be made by the Supreme Court before summer recess on how and when to end segregation of white and black children in the public school system.

17 May, 1954 U.S.A. Brown v. Board of Education

1954 : The United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education , ruling that racial segregation in public educational facilities is unconstitutional. The case centered on Linda Brown an African American girl who had been denied admission to her local elementary school in Topeka, Kansas, because of the color of her skin.

1925 Germany Mining Disaster Dortsfeld

1925 : A major mine disaster in Dortsfeld in Germany has now claimed the lives of 43 men, rescue attempts are still continuing but are hampered by the deadly gasses in the mines with rescue workers collapsing from the fumes in the narrow passageways.

1948 Israel Statehood

1948 : Following the formation of the Jewish State of Israel , Russia has now extended recognition of the Hebrew state and 4000 Arab fighters have surrendered in the old walled city of Acre weakened by a major outbreak of Typhoid.

1960 France East - West Summit

1960 : The East-West summit in Paris has failed before it even started following three days of bitter arguments over the American U2 spy plane shot down two weeks ago over Sverdlovsk in the Soviet Union by a Russian Missile.

1969 U.S.A. Apollo 10

1969 : The Apollo 10 is all go for the final test before America lands a man on the moon later this year. Apollo 10 is scheduled to go over the landing site where Apollo 11 hopes to land later this year, this flight is a complete dress rehearsal as everything will be done except the final phase of landing man on the moon.

1973 U.S.A. Watergate

1973 : The investigation of Watergate by the Senate begins televised hearings on the Watergate scandal.

1974 Car Bombs In Dublin

1974 : Three car bombs are exploded in Dublin, killing 23 and injuring 100 more during rush hour. No one has ever been charged with these bombings but a number of conspiracy theories exist.

1974 U.S.A. Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)

1974 : In Los Angeles, California, LAPD place a siege on the home in Compton where the leaders of the terrorist group known as the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) are hiding out.When SLA members shoot at the police surrounding the home the LAPD shot an estimated 1,200 rounds of ammunition and throw teargas containers into the Compton home leaving six SLA members dead, including the leader Donald DeFreeze.

Today in Labor History May 17, 2025

 

The first women’s anti-slavery conference was held on this date in Philadelphia. – 1838

Tom Mooney‘s scheduled date of execution was stayed while the case was appealed. Mooney ultimately spent 22 years in prison for the San Francisco Preparedness Day Parade bombing in 1916, a crime he did not commit. Mooney, along with codefendant Warren Billings, were members of the IWW and were railroaded because of their union affiliation. – 1917

President Truman ended a nation-wide railroad strike by threatening to take over the railroads and send in the army. -1947

The Supreme Court outlawed segregation in public schools. – 1954

Twelve Starbucks baristas in a midtown Manhattan store signed cards demanding representation by the Industrial Workers of the World, or Wobblies, declaring they couldn’t live on $7.75 an hour. – 2004

Fast food workers took to the streets of Milwaukee in a one-day work stoppage to demand a $15.00 an hour wage. – 2013

Saturday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

Foreign states should not be co-owners of UK newspapers - The Guardian

Why public media must go local and digital or fade away - E&P Magazine

Small-town newspapers say mail delays are crippling their business - Aberdeen Insider

As news deserts spread in Michigan, Lenawee County an unexpected oasis - Bridge Michigan

Fresh look and feel for Las Vegas Review-Journal's iconic Neon entertainment - LV Review-Journal

Important Events From This day in History May 16

 

16 May, 1969 U.S.A. Protest and Rioting

1969 : Rioting and protests against the war in Vietnam continue on campuses throughout California with local National Guardsman patrolling Berkeley campus of the University of California area with fixed bayonets to keep peace and order.

16 May, 1929 U.S.A. First Academy Awards

1929 : The First ever Academy Awards of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards were handed out at a banquet held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

16 May, 1918 U.S.A. Sedition Act

1918 : The Sedition Act is passed by the U.S. Congress, creating more harsh penalties aimed at people who were against American participation in World War I. The law punished dissenters including anyone who was found to be insulting the government. The Sedition Act is considered by many law scholars to be in direct conflict with the First Amendment right to free speech. Palmer Raids Timeline

16 May, 1943 Poland Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

1943 : Resistance in the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw has ended as SS Police and Wehrmacht units using tanks and other armored vehicles take back control of the ghetto crushing resistance after 1 month of fighting.

16 May, 1927 U.S.A. Floods in Louisiana

1927 : Following the floods in Louisiana rescue workers have so far found over 20 people dead with more coming as they continue to check homes flooded due to the flooding.

16 May, 1944 Italy World War II

1944 : Many believe the end of the World War is getting closer as allied forces push the Nazis back an all fronts including Italy and from the Eastern Front by Russia, at the same time significant gains are being made in the Pacific.

1946 U.S.A. "Annie Get Your Gun"

1946 : The Irving Berlin musical, "Annie Get Your Gun," opened at New York’s Imperial Theatre for its debut performance. It went on to do 1,146 more performances to become one of the most popular musicals in theater history.

1960 France U2 Spy Plane

1960 : The leaders of the most powerful nations on earth came to verbal blows in Paris over the U2 Spy Plane which flew over the Soviet Union. President Nikita Khrushchev and US President Dwight D. Eisenhower are at odds over the issue.

1968 England Block Of Flats in Newham Collapses

1968 : A block of Flats in Newham in the heart of docklands area in London's East End collapses following a gas explosion on the 18th floor leaving at least 3 dead and 80 families fleeing the tower block.

1974 Lebanon Israeli Bombing

1974 : Israeli planes bomb 7 Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon killing at least 27 people and leaving 138 injured.

1976 Lebanon Muslims and Christians Fighting

1976 : Muslims and Christians in Lebanon are fighting a fierce battle using rocket artillery and the death toll has reached over 220 with fighting still continuing , food shortages are now affecting most of the population and nether side wish to attend peace talks.

Born This Day In History 16th May

Celebrating Birthday Today

Pierce Brosnan

Born: May 16th 1953 , Drogheda, Ireland

Known For : He is best known as the fifth actor to play secret agent James Bond in the Bond film series, starring in four films (GoldenEye 1995, Tomorrow Never Dies 1997, The World Is Not Enough 1999, and Die Another Day 2002). His early breakthrough came with the television series Remington Steele (1982–1987). Other movies include The Fourth Protocol (1987) and the comedy Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and the remake of the heist film The Thomas Crown Affair (1999).

Today in Labor History May 16, 2025

 

1,600 woodworkers in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, went on strike at seven sash and door manufacturers for better pay and union recognition. – 1898

Congress passed the Sedition Act against radicals, leading to the arrest, imprisonment, execution and deportation of dozens of unionists, anarchists and communists. – 1918

The Teamsters initiated a General Strike for union recognition in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. – 1934

The U.S. Supreme Court issued the Mackay decision permitting employers to permanently replace striking workers. In a classic case of doublespeak, the court said that management could not fire strikers, but could “permanently replace” them. One of the most recent and well-known examples of this occurred when Reagan crushed the air traffic controllers’ strike. The U.S. is one of the only countries in the world that allows bosses to fire (er, replace) striking workers. – 1938

Black labor leader and peace activist A. Philip Randolph died. He was president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first black on the AFL-CIO executive board, and a principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. – 1979

Baristas at the Starbucks in East Grand Rapids announced their membership in the IWW Starbucks Workers Union. Starbucks, notorious for poor treatment of workers, followed with numerous anti-labor violations and was forced by the NLRB to settle Grand Rapids union worker complaints in October. – 2007

Thursday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

“News” in 2025 is in the eye of the beholder - Nieman Lab

Four Reasons for Hope in a Time of Fear - Second Rough Draft

UK to allow foreign states to own a 15% stake in newspapers - Rueters

Newsom proposes $20-million funding cut for California newsrooms - LA Times

Fiona O'Brien of Reporters Without Borders on UK press freedom - Journalism UK

Important Events From This day in History May 15

 

15 May, 1941 UK Gloster-Whittle E 28/39 Jet aircraft

1941 : The Gloster-Whittle E 28/39 Jet aircraft flies successfully over Cranwell, England, The aircraft's jet engine, was devised by Frank Whittle, an Britiah aviation engineer and pilot generally regarded as the inventor of the jet engine. Although Frank Whittle is considered the inventor of the Jet Engine Concept which he patented in 1930 the Gloster-Whittle E 28/39 Jet aircraft was not the first Jet aircraft to fly successfully. The first was the German Heinkel He 178, designed by Hans Joachim Pabst von Ohain, on August 27th, 1939.

15 May, 1918 U.S.A. Airmail Service

1918 : The first flights for the new U.S. airmail service begins between Washington, Philadelphia and New York.

15 May, 1939 U.S.A. Food Aid

1939 : A new plan is to be tested in Rochester New York for providing food aid to the 14,000 families on relief , A number of foods are designated in surplus will be provided with the blue food stamps issued by the government these include Butter, White Flour, Fresh Oranges and Eggs. They are hoping that this will help to distribute surplus foods to the needy if this works it will be integrated into the New Deal Program.

15 May, 1940 U.S.A. Nylon Stockings

1940 : Nylon stockings from DuPont (Nylon invented in 1935 by Wallace Carothers) went on general sale for the first time in the United States.

15 May, 1948 Israel Independence

1948 : Israel declares independence on May 14, 1948 and one day later the new state of Israel is attacked by Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq which lasted almost a year, a cease fire was declared and temporary borders, known as the Green Line, were instituted. The creation of Israel as an independent state had been rejected by The Arab League from the very beginning.

15 May, 1949 U.S.A. Tornado Amarillo

1949 : A major Tornado strikes Amarillo Texas causing 6 deaths and many injuries and over 50 homes completely destroyed.

1954 U.S.A. Marilyn Monroe

1954 : After several weeks Marilyn Monroe is back at work on dance rehearsals for the new film "There's No Business Like Show Business."

1957 Britain H Bomb Testing

1957 : Britain tests first hydrogen bomb on the Christmas Island area in the Pacific Ocean, the arms race between countries continues to escalate as each country tests bigger and more destructive nuclear devices.

1970 U.S.A. Jackson State University

1970 : During a student protest at Jackson State University in Mississippi police opened fire, killing two students and injuring twelve others.

Today in Labor History May 15

 

Pope Leo XIII issued the revolutionary encyclical Rerum novarum in defense of workers and the right to organize. Forty years later to the day, Pope Pius XI issued Quadragesimo anno, believed by many to be even more radical than Leo XIII’s. – 1891

The Western Federation of Miners formed in Butte, Montana by Big Bill Haywood.  They organized the hard rock miners of the Rocky Mountain states into a labor union deemed radical by most mine owners and investors. -1893

New Jersey became the first state to prohibit employment discrimination against union members. – 1894

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Samuel Gompers and other union leaders for supporting a boycott at the Buck Stove and Range Company in St. Louis, where workers were striking for a nine-hour day. A lower court had forbidden the boycott and sentenced the unionists to prison for refusing to obey the judge’s anti-boycott injunction. – 1906

Factory owner Harry Widdicomb attempted to personally drive scabs through a crowd of 1,200 striking furniture workers and supporters gathered outside his factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A battle broke out and the fighting drew more people to help the strikers, swelling the crowd to 2,000. When it ended at midnight, every window in the factory had been smashed. – 1911

The Library Employees’ Union was founded in New York City, the first union of public library workers in the United States. A major focus of the union was the inferior status of women library workers and their low salaries. – 1917

Launched by officers of the Machinists, the first labor bank opened in Washington, D.C.The Locomotive Engineers opened a bank in Cleveland later that year – 1920

Bruce Duncan “Utah” Phillips, an American labor organizer, folk singer, storyteller, poet and the “Golden Voice of the Great Southwest”. He described the struggles of labor unions and the power of direct action, self-identifying as an anarchist. An IWW member, he often promoted the Industrial Workers of the World in his music, actions, and words. – 1935

IWW songwriter T-Bone Slim, died in New York City. T-Bone wrote such Wobbly classics as The Mysteries of a Hobo’s Life, The Popular Wobbly, and The Lumberjack’s Prayer. (From The Unionist and Rebel Voices, edited by Joyce L. Kornbluh). – 1942

Wall Street Journal reporter Jonathan Kwitny uncovered the true face of American labor bosses: AFL-CIO President George Meany, Secretary-Treasurer Lane Kirkland, and other union officials were among the 60 leading stockholders in the 15,000 acre Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic, benefiting handsomely when the Dominican president sent troops to forcibly evict impoverished tobacco farmers and fishermen who had lived there for generations. – 1973

Wednesday Morning in the Blogosphere

 Directing the workers as they unload food

Meet E&P’s 'Editors Extraordinaire' class of 2025 - E&P Magazine

New book excerpts reveal bombshells about Biden’s health - Poynter

Washington Post Staff Sound Alarm at Bezos’ CEO’s Drinking - Yahoo

LA Times owner maneuvers into Trump’s orbit with Middle East meeting - Politico

LAist cuts staff by 5%, citing ongoing budget strain and potential federal funding loss - LAist

Important Events From This day in History May 14

 

14 May, 1991 South Africa Winnie Mandela

1991 : Winnie Mandela, the wife of Nelson Mandela, is given a six-year prison sentence for her part in the kidnap of four youths suspected of being police informers, one of the kidnapped boys later died of his injuries. Mrs Mandela's is believed to be behind the activities of her bodyguards - known as the "Mandela Football Club" who are involved in violence in the Soweto township including the notorious "necklace killings" which involved putting a tyre around a victim's neck and setting fire to it.

14 May, 1804 U.S.A. The Lewis and Clark Expedition

1804 : The Lewis and Clark expedition started from Camp Dubois, near present day Hartford, Illinois on this day in 1804. They reached the Pacific Ocean on November 20th, 1805. They arrived back to St. Louis, Missouri on September 23rd 1806.

14 May, 1920 U.S.A. Airmail Service

1920 : The airmail service continues to grow with a new service from Chicago to Omaha carrying 500 lbs of mail daily except Sundays and Holidays , the service will take about 5 1/2 hrs. The 1920s was a major growth period for Mail Delivery both domestic and later world wide.

14 May, 1948 Israel Independent State

1948 : The independent state of Israel is proclaimed as British rule in Palestine came to an end. It has taken Israel 2000 years to gain nationhood status.

14 May, 1931 India Mahatma Gandhi

1931 : Mahatma Gandhi the leader of the Indian Nationalist movement has agreed to talks with Britain in London to discuss more independence from Britain in return for stopping the current boycott on foreign goods in India.

14 May, 1940 England The Home Guard

1940 : The British Secretary of State for War Anthony Eden announced the creation of the Local Defense Volunteers (LDV) name changed in July of 1940 to "The Home Guard". The creation of the LDV was a direct result of Germany's conquest of Norway so quickly and the beginning of the invasion of France by German forces. Anthony Eden announced during the radio broadcast .

Radio Broadcast Requesting Volunteers for The Home Guard:

The government had expected 150,000 men to volunteer in total, but by the end of the first month 750,000 men had volunteered. By the end of June 1940, there were nearly 1.5 million volunteers.

1942 U.S.A. Air Travel

1942 : FDR has stated that all domestic air travel will be placed on a full wartime basis with the army operating or controlling the nations fleet of over 500 transport planes to help in the war effort.

1955 Poland Warsaw Pact Signed

1955 : The Soviet Union and its Eastern Bloc allies including USSR, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania sign a security pact in the Polish capital, Warsaw, after a three-day conference. The Warsaw Pact will provide close integration of military, economic and cultural policy between the eight Communist nations.

Today in Labor History May 14

 

On this day in labor history, May 14, the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike in eastern Pennsylvania began. Over 100,000 workers struck for a shorter workday, better pay, and union recognition. According to the AFL-CIO, the strike was notable for President Theodore Roosevelt's involvement in mediating the dispute, marking the first time the government acted as a neutral arbitrator, rather than siding with companies. The strike eventually resulted in increased wages, a shorter workday, and a better price for coal, but without union recognition - 1902

“We Want Beer” marches were held throughout the United States. 15,000 unionized workers demonstrated in Detroit. Prohibition was repealed within a year. – 1932

Milwaukee brewery workers began a 10-week strike, demanding contracts comparable to East and West coast workers. The strike was won because Blatz Brewery accepted their demands, but Blatz was ousted from the Brewers Association for “unethical” business methods. – 1953

Monday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

Paving the CherryRoad - Local News Initiative

Soon-Shiong discusses vision for the Los Angeles Times - MediaPost

Coalition unites press associations to defend journalism’s future - E&P Reports

These newsrooms are trying to boost trust through transparency. Is it working? - NL

Pope Leo XIV urges release of imprisoned journalists, affirms gift of free speech and press - AP

Important Events From This day in History May 12

 

12 May,1937 England King George VI

1937 : King George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey. King George was second in line to the throne but following his younger brother Edward who abdicated so he could marry American socialite Wallis Simpson he became King. King George's wife was the much loved Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon much better known as "Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother", who died at the grand old age of 102 on March 30th 2002. Their oldest daughter Queen Elizabeth is current Queen of England.

12 May,1932 U.S.A. Lindbergh Baby Found Dead

1932 : The Baby son kidnapped from Charles Lindbergh was found dead just miles away from the Lindbergh home today.

12 May,1966 U.S.A. Draft Deferment Test

1966 : Hundreds of thousands of College and University Students are preparing to sit the Draft Deferment Test , The test is a way for them to convince the Draft Board that they would serve the nation better in the quiet of the Classrooms than in the Jungles of Vietnam.

2008 China Earthquake Magnitude 7.8

2008 : An Earthquake measuring 7.8 strikes near Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital in south western China. Early reports indicate primary school buildings collapsed in the Chongqing area leaving hundreds of children buried in the rubble. As the full scale of the destruction caused by the largest earthquake in China for many years become known, the death toll is expected to reach 60,000 and up to five million Chinese are now homeless. Video shot by students during the earthquake.

12 May,1926 England General Strike Ends

1926 : The British general strike ends with no changes for working conditions or wages for the miners.

12 May,1935 Poland Joseph Pilsudski

1935 : The Polish dictator Joseph Pilsudski has died and thousands mourn in Poland meanwhile the rest of Europe are wondering how the passing of this strong man will effect alliances in Europe.

1943 Tunisia World War II

1943 : Allied Armies completed the conquest of Tunisia in North Africa as a base for invasion of Southern Europe capturing some 150,000 prisoners, 1000 guns and 250 tanks. The two generals commanding this part of the war in North Africa General Eisenhower and General Alexander said the conquest of North Africa is now complete.

12 May,1949 Germany West Berlin Blockade

1949 : After blocking all road traffic into West Berlin for 11 months after diplomatic meetings around the world the Soviet Union has lifted the blockade of road and rail links. The Blockade of West Berlin had been broken by a U.S. / British airlift of vital supplies to West Berlin's two million citizens.

12 May,1967 England Stansted Airport

1967 : British Government has agreed to allow development of Stansted Airfield to become London's third airport, currently the airfield is used mostly for pilot training.

1971 France Mick Jagger

1971 : The Rolling Stones singer, Mick Jagger, marries Bianca Perez Morena de Macias at a civil ceremony in the local town hall in the French Mediterranean town of St Tropez.

1973 U.S.A. Pentagon Papers Trial

1973 : The Pentagon Papers trial which was focused on THE FIRST AMENDMENT and The Governments Authority to control information and the Public's access to that information has now ended and with a verdict of NOT GUILTY for the defendants Daniel Ellsburg and Anthony J Russo Jr , but many of the answers given by defendants and testimony by witnesses raise many more questions concerning the Watergate Affair. ( This eventually led to Impeachment proceedings against President Nixon ) Daniel Ellsberg was a contributor but gave most of the Pentagon Papers to New York Times reporter Neil Sheehan, with Ellsberg's friend Anthony Russo assisting in their copying.

1981 Northern Ireland IRA Hunger Striker

1981 : Following the death of Bobby Sands on May 5th a second IRA hunger striker, 25-year-old Francis Hughes, starves to death in the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland.

Today in Labor History May 12

 

Sacco and Vanzetti

Nearly 150,000 anthracite coal miners went on strike in Eastern Pennsylvania for higher wages, better working conditions, and recognition of their union: the United Mine Workers of America. After months of an extreme coal shortage, President Teddy Roosevelt intervened, a commission was set up, and the strike was called off after 163 days. – 1902

The “Three Day’s Battle” began along both shores of the Tug River in West Virginia, with sniping by labor strikers at state police, deputies and coal company officials. – 1921

The Massachusetts Supreme Court upheld the death sentences of Sacco and Vanzetti, denying their motion for a new trial. – 1926

The Laundry and Dry Cleaning International Union was granted a charter by the AFL-CIO. – 1958

The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots merged with the Longshoremen’s’ Association. – 1971

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided the Agriprocessors, Inc. slaughterhouse and meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, arresting nearly 400 immigrant workers. Some 300 were convicted on document fraud charges. The raid was the largest ever to date.  Several employees and lower and mid-level managers were convicted on various charges, but not the owner—although he later was jailed for bank fraud and related crimes. – 2008

Los Angeles Times Reunion Oct. 4th

Former Los Angeles Times pressman, John Martin, has created an event for all former Los Angeles Times employees. This will be a pot luck with a no host bar at the American Legion in Rialto. Additional details are forthcoming. Saturday October 4th, 2025

848 S. Lilac Ave.

Rialto, CA.

Friday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

A new pope with a social media presence - Poynter

America and our democracy are under attack - E&P Magazine

What does it really mean to serve a community today? - Journalism UK

The Texas Tribune has acquired the Austin Monitor - The Texas Tribune

Inside a high school newspaper’s fight for editorial independence - Nieman Lab

Four-month notice for print media outlet sales advanced in California - Courthouse News 

Important Events From This day in History May 9

 

9 May, 2010 Iceland Flights Cancelled Due to Volcanic Ash

2010 : Hundreds more flights are cancelled due to volcanic ash disrupting the atmospheric conditions over Europe. Ash clouds from an Icelandic volcano forced the cancellation of many flights to and from Europe and many airports around the continent were forced to close, including sixteen airports in Spain alone.

9 May, 1974 U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen

1974 : Bruce Springsteen nicknamed "The Boss," with his E Street Band performed a concert in Cambridge, Mass., which made the well known rock critic Jon Landau write, "I saw rock and roll future and it's name is Bruce Springsteen." Bruce Springsteen most famous albums include Born to Run (1975) and Born in the U.S.A. (1984). He has sold over 65 million albums in the U.S.

9 May, 1933 US Tornadoes

1933 : 61 people have died as Tornado's strike Kentucky and Tennessee leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake, among the worst hit are areas of Louisville.

9 May, 1934 West Coast Longshoremen's Strike

1934 : The West Coast Longshoremen's Strike begins when Int’l. Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union workers demand a 6 hr working day, more men on each gang, lighter loads and an independent union. They shut down seaports in Washington, Oregon and California for 3 months.

9 May, 1960 U.S.A. Contraceptive Pill

1960 : The Food and Drug Administration approved the first pill for contraceptive use in Birth Control, called Envoid. The pill is a mix of of an estrogenand a progestin and is now used by by more than 100 million women worldwide.

1994 Ebola Virus Outbreak

1994 : The first cases of the Ebola Virus in the latest outbreak in Gabon, are identified which cause the death of 9 of those infected with the virus.

Further Ebola Virus outbreaks occur in:

Gabon, in February 1995 (37 cases including 21 deaths)

Gabon, in July 1996 (60 cases including 45 deaths)

A Further Ebola Virus epidemic occurs in Kikwit, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1995 with 315 cases, 250 of which had fatal outcomes.

(Figures From World Health Organization)

The strain of Ebola which broke out in Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo) has one of the highest case fatality rates of any human pathogenic virus, at roughly 90%.

1925 U.S.A. Rum Runners

1925 : Rum runners were chased today by the Coast Guard and were forced to dump 100 cases of Liquor in the Delaware River as part of the Rum War between smugglers and Coast Guard, after dumping the booze the smugglers managed to escape the Coast Guard.

1926 U.S.A. North Pole

1926 : Commander Richard Byrd and his companion the first to fly an airplane to the North Pole ( Later Disputed ).

1944 U.S.A. War Rationing

1944 : Like most of the countries throughout the world war rationing is in effect for everything from tires to Red Meat.

1944 U.S.A. Jimmie Davis

1944 : Jimmie Davis becomes the Governor of Louisiana. He wrote the song "You Are My Sunshine." He became famous for recording secular and religious songs and also served two nonconsecutive terms as the governor. He lived to be over 100 years old and also has the distinction of living longer than any other United States governor.

1953 U.S.A. The Mob

1953 : Calls for the federal government to take on the Mob / Crime Syndicate / The System after the murder of a longshoreman. The Mob makes money from Prostitution, Gambling, Loan Shark, Narcotics and The Waterfront and calls are rising daily for federal action as they appear to be immune from the law due to local politicians protection.

1955 Germany NATO

1955 : West Germany Joins NATO.

1956 England Frogman Disappears

1956 : A British naval diver ( Commander Lionel "Buster" Crabb ) goes missing and is later found dead during a Goodwill Visit by a Soviet cruiser carrying Soviet leaders Nikita Khruschev and Marshal Nikolai Bulganin. At the time no one would admit that he was spying on the Russian Cruiser on a spying mission for MI6 and had dived under the cruiser to check out the hull and any other information he could find. And it still remains a mystery on how he died.

Today in Labor History – May 9th, 2025

 

William “Big Bill” Haywood

A coal mine exploded at Roslyn, Washington killing 45 mine workers. – 1892

Striking tram workers blew up a tramcar during riots in St. Louis. – 1900

Japanese workers struck at Oahu, Hawaii’s Aiea Plantation, demanding the same pay as Portuguese and Puerto Rican workers. Ultimately 7,000 workers and their families remained out until August, when the strike was broken. – 1909

Legendary Western Federation of Miners leader William “Big Bill” Haywood went on trial for murder in the bombing death of former Idaho governor Frank Steunenberg, who had brutally suppressed the state’s miners. Haywood ultimately was declared innocent. – 1907

Longshoremen began a strike for a union hiring hall and union recognition, ultimately leading to the San Francisco general strike. After World War One, West Coast longshore workers were poorly organized or represented by “company unions.” The IWW had tried to organize them and had some successes ( for example, San Pedro in 1922), but they were ultimately crushed by injunctions, imprisonment, deportation and vigilante violence. While longshoremen lacked a well-organized union, they retained a syndicalist sentiment and militancy. Many Wobblies were still working the docks. On May 9, 1934, longshoremen walked off the job at ports up and down the West Coast, soon to be followed by sailors. Strikers were shot by the bosses’ goons in San Pedro. There was also violence in Oakland and San Francisco. Street battles between the cops and strikers continued in San Francisco, heating up on July 3, and culminating in Bloody Thursday, on July 5, when 3 workers were shot by police (two of them died). The attack led to a four-day general strike that effectively shut down commerce in San Francisco, despite police violence and attempts to weaken it by national unions. – 1934

Hollywood studio mogul Louis B. Mayer recognized the Screen Actors Guild.  SAG leaders reportedly were bluffing when they told Mayer that 99 percent of all actors would walk out the next morning unless he dealt with the union. Some 5,000 actors attended a victory gathering the following day at Hollywood Legion Stadium; a day later, SAG membership increased 400 percent. – 1937

Labor leader Walter Reuther and his wife May died suspiciously in an airplane crash. Repeated attempts had been made on Reuther’s life going back to 1938. – 1971

4,000 garment workers at Farah Manufacturing Company in El Paso went out on strike over union representation. In January 1974, after a successful national boycott, the NLRB ruled in the workers’ favor, and the company finally recognized the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. The 1974 contract included pay increases, job security and seniority rights, and a grievance procedure. – 1972

Thursday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

A I is creeping into every space of our lives, experts caution- Poynter

The news industry has a lot to learn from podcast creators - Journalism UK

How Newsrooms Can Take Creators More Seriously - Second Rough Draft

Wrong psalm, right lesson: What church taught me about sales prep - E&P Magazine

Sample News Group acquires assets of Cortland Standard Printing Company - Sample News Group

Important Events From This day in History May 8

 

8 May, 1945 VE Day / Victory In Europe Declared

1945 : President Truman and Prime minister Churchill declared victory in Europe today, celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany. Following the announcement huge crowds, many dressed in red, white and blue, gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London and were cheered as the King, Queen and two Princesses came out onto the balcony.

8 May, 1970 UK The Beatles "Let It Be" Released

1970 : Just shortly after the Break Up of the Beatles is announced The Beatles Final original album "Let It Be" is released by Apple Records.

8 May, 1978 U.S.A. David Berkowitz ( Son of Sam )

1978 : David Berkowitz ( Son of Sam ) admitted guilty to 6 son of Sam killings in court, he has also claimed responsibility for 2000 fires in a 4 year period under the alias of "The Phantom of the Bronx," it was revealed a diary found detailed 1,411 of the fires during this time period.

8 May, 1942 World War II The Battle of Coral Sea

1942 : The Battle of Coral Sea, between the Japanese Navy and the United States and Australian Navies ends with the loss of the carrier USS Lexington and the Japanese carrier Shōhō.

1927 U.S.A. Mississippi Floods

1927 : The Mississippi floods are continuing the path of destruction. The Mississippi has seen many floods in previous years and thankfully most residents heeded the flood warnings saving many lives but this flood will be the most costly in many years.

8 May, 1929 U.S.A. Gangsters Murdered

1929 : Three gangsters from Chicago were found murdered today and riddled with bullets in retaliation for the "St Valentines Day Massacre" earlier in the year, so far 2 have been identified as 2 of Scarface Al Capone's henchmen.

1939 Europe On the Brink Of War

1939 : Calls for peace continue with Europe on the brink of war including Pope Pius XII who asks the nations involved to try to come to a peaceful settlement , Currently Britain is worried as if the Soviets and Nazis do make a pact to join forces, war could be that much closer and will involve all the countries in Europe.

1941 U.S.A. "Let Me Off Uptown"

1941 : Anita O’Day recorded "Let Me Off Uptown" with Gene Krupa and his band. O'Day was one of the more prominent jazz singers of her day and has often been compared to greats like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald.

1927 France Transatlantic White Bird

1927 : The Bi-Plane the "Transatlantic White Bird" Piloted by the french Aviator Captain Nungesser attempting to be the first to cross the Atlantic non stop from Paris to New York is spotted in the early morning off Nova Scotia fighting strong head winds and heading for the Maine Seaboard and had been in the Air for approximately 33 hours. Shortly after the sighting they mysteriously disappeared while trying to be the first to complete the non-stop transatlantic flight, flying from Paris to New York City . The plane, pilot and navigator have never been seen since and two weeks later American aviator Charles Lindbergh, flying solo, successfully crossed from New York to Paris.

1948 Germany Berlin Issue

1948 : Following the end of the World War more problems are appearing in how Germany will be split with the Russians stating the plan put forward by Britain, France and the United States will cause Germany and the rest Europe to be divided and is not in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement. So far no word has been given by Russia on what they will do. What did happen is that Berlin was split and the Berlin Wall was built as part of the cold war over the next 40 years.

1959 Egypt Pleasure Boat Sinks On The Nile

1959 : A 200 ton pleasure boat carrying some of Egypt's top agriculture engineers and their families on a picnic sank with loss of 200 lives on the Nile.

1967 U.S.A. Ralph Nader

1967 : Following the publication of his book "unsafe at any speed" published in 1965 which highlights the Chevrolet Corvair as an unsafe and unreliable example of automobiles offered to American Consumers. Ralph Nader is part of a symposium on "Automobile Crash Injuries" at the Upstate Medical Center as part of the pressure on the government and the automobile industry to improve safety in cars.

Today in Labor History May 8th

 

A. Philip Randolph

The American Federation of Teachers was founded. – 1916

Jerry Wurf, who served as president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) from 1964 to his death in 1981, was born in New York City. The union grew from about 220,000 members to more than 1 million during his presidency. – 1919

A. Philip Randolph and Milton P. Webster founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. The Brotherhood was the very first African-American labor union to sign a collective bargaining agreement with a major U.S. corporation. – 1925

About 200 construction workers in New York City attacked a crowd of Vietnam war protesters four days after the Kent State killings. More than 70 people were injured, including four police officers. Peter Brennan, head of the New York building trades, was honored at the Nixon White House two weeks later and was eventually named Secretary of Labor. – 1970

Some 12,000 Steelworker-represented workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber won an 18-day strike for improved wages and job security. – 1997