Tuesday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

AI, discovery and media’s next phase - E&P Magazine

When your business partner holds you back - E&P Magazine

Women journalists confront rising misogyny - E&P Magazine

Inside Lighthouse Reports’ investigative engine - E&P Magazine

FOIA master Jason Leopold’s playbook: How persistence unlocks public records - E&P Magazine

Important Events From This day in History May 19th

 

 

19 May, 1997 Hong Kong Avian Flu

1997 : The first victim of Avian Flu A (H5N1) a three-year-old boy has died in Hong Kong. By the end of the year there were 18 recorded cases with six of the victims dying. Authorities slaughter 1.6 million chickens and other domestic fowl in Hong Kong hoping to prevent further spread of the disease. The World Health Organization and other interested parties are still concerned that the Avian Flu Virus could mutate further causing a similar pandemic to the 1918/1919 Spanish flu pandemic which killed anywhere from 20 to 100 million worldwide, Or between 2.5 to 5% of the worlds human population.

19 May, 1962 Marilyn Monroe Performs Rendition of "Happy Birthday"

1962 : Marilyn Monroe performed a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for President John F. Kennedy for his forty-fifth birthday during a fund-raiser at New York's Madison Square Garden. The dress she wore that night was noted for being sheer and flesh colored with 2500 rhinestones sewn into it and designed by Jean Louis. The dress sold in 1999 at auction in New York for over US$1.26 million.

19 May, 1921 U.S.A. Emergency Quota Act

1921 : The Emergency Quota Act was passed into law which limits the number of immigrants admitted into the US. More about Emergency Quota Act

19 May, 1923 U.S.A. Harry Houdini

1923 : Harry Houdini ex medium, magician, handcuff king, disappearing artist denounced spirit mediums, clairvoyants in a radio interview and has said his good friend Sir A Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) has been duped by tricksters and fraudsters.

1982 Italy Sophia Loren

1982 : Actress Sophia Loren began serving a 30-day prison sentence in Italy for failing to report five million lire on her income tax return for 1970.

1986 South Africa Zambia

1986 : South African troops launch multiple raids on Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana in an effort to destroy bases purportedly used by the anti-apartheid organisation the African National Congress (ANC). The Nations of Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Tanzania, form the so-called "frontline states" that support the ANC in their struggle against white minority rule. During the Mid to Late 1980s sanctions imposed by the US, most Commonwealth nations and the European Community forced South Africa to end it's anti-apartheid policies and in 1994 the ANC formed South Africa's first democratically elected government with Mr Mandela as the country's first black president.

Born This Day In History 19th May

Celebrating Birthdays Today

Grace Jones

Born: May 19th, 1948 Spanish Town, Jamaica

Known For : Grace Jones is a model, actress, singer, songwriter, and music producer who gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s for her unique style. She began modeling as a teenager and soon transitioned to music, becoming a star of the disco-scene in New York City. During the 1980s her music transitioned to a new wave style and drew influence from reggae. As an actress, she appeared in several films including as a Bond girl in 1985's "A View to Kill." She is also well-known for her distinctive androgynous look and bold cubist-inspired fashion choices.

1991 Croatia Seeks Independence

1991 : Croatian Voters in Civil war torn Yugoslavia have voted to seek independence and sovereignty, the country is being torn apart by nationalists and ethnic Serbs who wish to be part of Serbia.

1992 U.S.A. 27th Amendment

1992 : The 27th Amendment to the US constitution is ratified.

1994 U.S.A. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

1994 : The former First Lady ( President Kennedy's wife ) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died today of lymphoma at the age of 64.

2005 U.S.A. Revenge of the Sith

2005 : The final chapter of Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith," opens in movie theaters with movie goers queuing all night.

2005 Rwandan Official Apologizes for Genocide

2005 : The Rwandan defense minister, Marcel Gatsini, apologized for being a part of the Hutu government behind the genocide of 1994. This marks the first time a senior official of the government behind the genocide publicly apologized. Gatsini stated he was fired from the government after the genocide began because he was accused of being too moderate.

2006 U.S.A. Guantanamo Bay

2006 : World Leaders urge the Bush administration to close its prison in Guantanamo Bay, saying the indefinite detention of terror suspects there violated the world's ban on torture.

Today in Labor History May 19, 2026

 

South Amboy, New Jersey docks

An explosion in Coal Creek, Tennessee killed 184 miners. – 1902

Ten people were killed when coal company officials in Matewan, West Virginia, tried to remove striking union workers from coal company housing. They sent in agents from the Baldwin-Felts detective agency who evicted several families before trying to hop on a train out of town. Sheriff Hatfield, who supported the miners’ right to organize, tried to arrest the detectives who, in turn, tried to arrest Hatfield. Unbeknownst to the detectives, they had been surrounded by miners. No one knows who shot first, but when the smoke had cleared, there were 7 dead detectives (including Albert and Lee Felts) and 4 dead townspeople. The episode became known as the “Matewan Battle” or “Matewan Massacre,” and is depicted in John Sayles’ film Matewan. It should be pointed out that mining was one of the most dangerous and corrupt industries around. Miners were typically forced to live in a company town and purchase living necessities from company stores at inflated prices. They were paid in scrip, which was useless outside of the company towns. In the time leading up to the Battle of Matewan, numerous miners had been assassinated by vigilantes, goons or detectives. In the aftermath of the massacre, the miners went on strike and were treated to even more violence. Striking miners were beaten and left to die in the streets. The remaining Felts brother, Tom, instigated a vendetta against Sheriff Hatfield, eventually having him killed by his agency in 1921. – 1920

A gas explosion in a Mather, Pennsylvania coal mine killed 195. – 1928

The Steel Workers Organizing Committee, formed by the Congress of Industrial Organizations, formally became the United Steelworkers of America. – 1942

31 dockworkers were killed, 350 workers and others were injured when four barges carrying 467 tons of ammunition blew up at South Amboy, New Jersey. They were loading mines that had been deemed unsafe by the Army and were being shipped to the Asian market for sale. – 1950

Today in Labor History May 17, 2026

 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

 

Inside Lighthouse Reports’ investigative engine - E&P Magazine

Why USA TODAY created a newspaper march for America’s 250th - E&P Reports

Napa media company formed to rescue two community newspapers folds - The Press Democrat

Baltimore Banner CEO on Progress There and Plans for Their Pittsburgh Newspaper Purchase - SRD

Salt Lake Tribune just removed its paywall, making its journalism free to everyone - Salt Lake Tribune

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, 2026

 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

Wednesday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

The Journal Gazette featuring more local news on front page - The Journal Gazette

There’s no proven cure for hantavirus — and doctors say ivermectin isn’t one - Poynter

In Atlanta, the push for digital subscriptions hasn’t taken off as much as hoped - Nieman Lab

FOIA master Jason Leopold’s playbook: How persistence unlocks public records - E&P Magazine

Winning subscribers in a digital era: Paywalls, onboarding and retention redefine news strategies - E&P 

Important Events From This day in History May 13

 

 

13 May,1938 U.S.A. "When the Saints Go Marching In"

1938 : "When the Saints Go Marching In" was recorded by Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra. Though the song was first written to be a spiritual song, many jazz and folk artists have adopted it and made it very popular throughout the years.

13 May,1985 U.S.A. MOVE Philadelphia

1985 : Philadelphia Police Department drop a bomb containing C-4 and Tovex from a helicopter onto MOVE's residence part of a row of tenements on Osage Avenue, the explosion started an uncontrolled fire and as a result, 53 houses burned and 240 people were left homeless. John Africa, six other adults and four children, who were living in the MOVE Cult Home died in the resulting fire. Police were attempting to enforce outstanding arrest warrants for four members of the group by blowing up tactical bunkers constructed by MOVE on the roof and had evacuated people from their Osage Avenue homes in order to prepare for an operation against MOVE. MOVE was a mostly black group whose members all adopted the surname Africa, advocated a 'back-to-nature' lifestyle and preached against technology.

13 May,1981 Vatican Pope John Paul II Shot

1981 : Pope John Paul II, is shot in St Peter's Square in Rome in front of 20,000 worshipers. Police in the square apprehended Turkish citizen Mehmet Ali Agca after the shooting.

13 May,1939 Italy Benito Mussolini

1939 : The Italian leader Benito Mussolini and German Leader Adolf Hitler are planning tours of borders with France and the border between Tunisia and Libya together with Poland. The Italian Leader is expected to give an anti-french speech in the next 2 days over the disputed areas Italy believes should be Italian and not French controlled offering a last chance for France to come to a peaceful settlement over Italian territorial claims.

13 May,1940 England Queen Wilhelmina

1940 : Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands safely arrived in England as a refuge from the invading Nazi Germany.

13 May,1940 Churchill First Speech as UK Prime Minister

1940 : Following Winston Churchill becoming leader of the British Coalition Government in his first speech as prime minister he told the British House of Commons "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."

1947 Germany Severe Food Shortages

1947 : In Germany calls have been made for urgent assistance in the American Zone and the British Zone as residents in both areas are now suffering with severe shortages of food which is causing mass starvation, this is in turn causing antagonism and resentment to America and England.

13 May,1960 France Cold War Summit

1960 : A Summit scheduled for tomorrow with the 4 most powerful leaders who have a vested interest in the future of Germany is focused on how to proceed in Germany , the Russians want recognition of East Germany and an end to the cold war and disarmament. The 4 leaders who will be attending are Eisenhower, Macmillan, Khrushchev and de Gaulle. This is also seen by many as a showdown between Eisenhower and Khrushchev over the American U2 spy plane shot down in Russian Airspace on the May 1. Each of these leaders is expressing the same desires to end the Cold War, nuclear disarmament and an end to the build up military forces.

Today in Labor History May 13, 2026

 The Canadian government established the Department of Labour. It took the U.S. another four years. – 1909

4,000 dockworkers and members of the predominantly African-American Marine Transport Workers’ Local 8 of the Industrial Workers of the World began what would be a successful strike in Philadelphia over wages and union recognition. Through strikes, slow-downs, and other workplace actions, Local 8 secured raises for all dockworkers, including those who were not IWW members, well into the 1940s. – 1913

UAW President Douglas A. Fraser was named to the Chrysler Corporation board of directors, becoming the first union representative ever to sit on the board of a major U.S. corporation. – 1980

Organized by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, drivers in New York City went on a one-day strike to protest Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s proposed taxicab regulations. “City officials were stunned by the success of a strike by taxi drivers,” the New York Times reported, “when all but a few hundred of the city’s 12,187 cabs remained parked.” – 1998

Monday Morning in the Blogosphere

 

Close media ad deals faster with value follow-ups - E&P Magazine

ONA26 showcases journalism’s collective strength - E&P Magazine

'Treat us as people, not a story,' abuse survivors tell news organisations - Journalism UK

Inside the search for a sustainable local news model: new report reveals what’s working - E&P 

Who supports journalists after the story? New efforts tackle trauma, care gaps and burnout - E&P 

Important Events From This day in History May 11th

 

 

11 May, 1934 U.S.A. Dust Storm 1,500 miles long

1934 : A huge dust storm is spotted moving from the Midwest. The dust storm was 1,500 miles long, 900 miles across and two miles high, covering almost one-third of the country. Farmers lost large amounts of Topsoil during just a few years the phenomenon was known as ( The Dust bowl Years during the 1930s). The combination of large areas of landing becoming dust bowls making food production bad and the depression caused by the 29 crash all contributed to the time in History Known as "The Great Depression"

11 May,1920 U.S.A. University of Wisconsin at Madison

1920 : The number of students at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1920 far exceeds the number originally budgeted for which was only for 5,000. The current number of 7,000 are stretching both the buildings and staff available (in 2007 there were 41,466 enrolled - this just gives an idea for one University but most have seen similar changes in numbers of students over the last 80 years).

11 May,1930 England Amy Johnson

1930 : Amy Johnson 22 year old Aviatrix from England started on her attempted solo flight to Australia some 10,000 miles away in her Gypsy Moth Plane she is trying to beat the record of Bert Hinkler which stands at 16 1/2 days.

11 May,1942 Russia German Offensive

1942 : The Nazi's have launched a major spring offensive in the Eastern Crimea, Germany is thought to be prepared to use poison gas in it's advance but England has stated if poison gas is used it will retaliate with the RAF using poison gas against the Third Reich.

11 May,1952 U.S.A. Seizure of Steel Mills

1952 : Following President Truman's seizure of the steel mills last month, the case on the legality is now before the Supreme Court. Does the president have powers to seize private industries in national emergencies, in this case due to a strike in the steel mills.

11 May,1953 U.S.A. F5 Tornado Waco, Texas

1953 : A F5 tornado struck Waco, Texas where 48 were known dead and more than 250 injured.

1956 The Gold Coast / Ghana Independence

1956 : The Gold Coast / Ghana becomes the first black African nation to be granted independence from Britain.

1970 Cold War Talks Salt Talks

1970 : The Salt Talks ( Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ) between the US and the Soviet Union are continuing , this is despite US involvement in Cambodia . It appears both countries are keen to find a compromise on Strategic Arms Limitation to stop the growth and continued arms race.

1970 U.S.A. 100 MPH Tornado Lubbock, Texas

1970 : A tornado with winds in excess of 100 mph touched down in Lubbock, Texas, today, killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds of others.

1971 England Daily Sketch Closes

1971 : Britain's oldest tabloid Newspaper The Daily Sketch closes and is published for the last time.

1985 England Valley Parade Football Stadium

1985 : A fire at a Bradford's Valley Parade football stadium in England killed more than 50 people some caused through panic and the ensuing stampede.

1997 U.S.A. The Deep Blue

1997 : IBM's The Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov to win a six-game chess match between man and computer in New York.

1998 India Underground Nuclear Tests

1998 : After more than 20 years back in 1974 when India joined the list of countries with Nuclear Arms, India begins underground nuclear testing. It is believed this may signal a new nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan who have been involved in three wars since independence in 1947 over the disputed territories of Jammu and Kashmir. Within 3 weeks Pakistan also ran Underground Nuclear Tests.

2005 Iraq Suicide Bombers Kill and Injure Many

2005 : Suicide bombers set off multiple explosions throughout Iraq. The blasts in various different cities injured over one hundred people and killed over seventy people. These attacks were a part of a violent surge of suicide bombings and attacks throughout the month of May.

2006 Wikipedia-like Website Launched in China

2006 : A Chinese version of a wikipedia-like website called Baidupedia was launched in China. The American website Wikipedia had been growing in popularity in China until the government banned it in 2005. Baidupedia was set to feature a similar format of user created encyclopedia, except it will undergo much heavier self-censorship in order to stay in good standing with the Chinese government.

2007 India Celebrates Revolt

2007 : India celebrated the 150th anniversary of the country's revolt against the British. The day's celebrations marked the historical event in 1857 when Indian soldiers rebelled against the British setting off other uprisings and rebellions in the country.

2010 United Kingdom Prime Minister Resigns

2010 : Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister, announced his resignation. The Labour Party leader had been Prime Minister for three years, but decided to resign after the opposition parties chose to form a coalition government. David Cameron, a conservative leader, took over as Prime Minister.

2011 Bank Robber Arrested by FBI in Puerto Rico

2011 : Norberto Gonzalez Claudio, a Puerto Rican nationalist, was arrested by the FBI in Puerto Rico. Gonzales had been wanted since a 1983 raid on a Connecticut bank depot, in which he was involved with a $7 million theft. Gonzales was a member of Los Macheteros, a militant group that was suspected of being involved in bombings, robberies, and murders, while fighting for Puerto Rican independence.

2012 United States Car Designer Carroll Shelby Dies

2012 : American sports car designer Carroll Shelby died at the age of eighty-nine in Dallas, Texas. Shelby was known first for being a race car driver who won many races in the 1950s. In the sixties Shelby worked with Ford to create a high-performance Mustang.

2013 International Space Station Astronauts Replace Pump

2013 : Two astronauts from the United States replaced a pump in order to fix an ammonia leak in the International Space Station's cooling system. The astronauts completed the emergency spacewalk an hour ahead of schedule and while the leak posed no immediate threat to the crew managers had wanted to resolve the problem quickly.

Today in Labor History May 11, 2026

 Pullman Strike

The Pullman Railroad Strike began in Chicago, Illinois. This was the largest industrial strike to date in the United States. Eugene Debs rose to prominence as a labor leader during this strike, which was eventually broken by federal troops. The strike and boycott crippled railway traffic nationwide and at its peak involved 250,000+ workers in 27 states. At least 24 strikers were killed. – 1894

Marxist theorist, socialist labor party and union organizer Daniel De Leon died on this date in New York City. De Leon was also a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1904. – 1914

Seventeen crewmen on the iron ore freighter Henry Steinbrenner died when the ship, carrying nearly 7,000 tons of ore, sank during a violent storm on Lake Erie. Another 16 crewmen survived. – 1953

Poor People’s Campaign caravans arrived in Washington, D.C. with Ralph Abernathy and the Southern Christian Leadership Corps. They were granted a permit for an encampment on the Mall. – 1968

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

Friday Morning in the Blogosphere

 Downtown Los Angeles a few years ago

Who is more likely to fall for fake news? - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Las Vegas Review-Journal launches VegasBusiness - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Australia may again show how to get tech giants to pay for news - Seattle Times Free Press

Important Reminders from News Coverage of Politics in My Backyard - Second Rough Draft

And the winner is … the Pulitzer winners and the stories that mattered most - E&P Magazine

Important Events From This day in History May 6

 

 

6 May, 1937 U.S.A. Airship Hindenburg

1937 : The German airship Hindenburg the largest dirigible ever built burst into flames and collapsed to the ground while attempting to moor at Lakehurst, New Jersey. As the airship burst into flames it crashed 200 feet to the ground and the hull of the airship incinerated within seconds as the hydrogen core ignited.

1954 England Four Minute Mile Broken

1954 : Roger Bannister becomes the first man to run a mile in less than 4 minutes, making the new record in 3mins 59.4 seconds at the Iffley Road track in Oxford, England.

6 May, 1882 U.S.A. Chinese Exclusion Act

1882 : Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese immigrants from the United States for 10 years.

6 May, 1910 England King Edward VII Dies

1910 : King Edward VII dies after being Britain's King for 9 years following the death of his mother Queen Victoria died. You will often see him referred as Bertie which was the name the royal family used for him.

6 May, 1924 China Japanese Warships

1924 : Japanese warships have entered Chinese waters and Chinese troops are being rushed to coastal areas to fend off possible attacks.

1928 St. Francis Dam

1928 : Construction of the St. Francis Dam Completed St. Francis Dam Collapse TimeLine

6 May, 1935 U.S.A. Works Progress Administration (WPA) Opens

1935 : The Works Progress Administration (WPA), opens allowing thousands of unemployed Americans decent-paying jobs on a wide range of public works projects including parks, playgrounds, major infrastructure projects, schools and post-offices. During it's existence the WPA was responsible for employing 8.5 million Americans during its eight-years. Although most politicians here and around the world use the quote that this is the worst recession since the great depression of the thirties by comparison the current thinking is unemployment is below 10% or 1 in 10 but in the worst period of the great depression that number was nearer to 25% or or 1 in 4.

1936 Airship Hindenburg

1936 : The Airship Hindenburg on its first flight from Europe to New York in the United States is near the Azores, the Hindenburg is like an ocean liner with an elegant interior and 15 of the passengers are Americans.

1945 Germany World War II Europe Ends

1945 : The war in Europe is over when German forces are to sign full surrender on 7th May 1945. President Truman and Prime Minister Churchill will make public radio broadcasts and speak to the people tomorrow and and VE day has been announced for the 8th May. The war in Europe has cost over 8 million lives.

1960 England Princess Margaret

1960 : Princess Margaret marries Anthony Armstrong Jones, a commoner, at Westminster Abbey.

1966 England Moors Murderers

1966 : The Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley are jailed for life. They were tried and found guilty for the murder of three children (Edward Evans, 17, Lesley Ann Downey, aged 10, and 12-year-old John Kilbride). The pair preyed on children by luring the children into their home in Manchester then torturing and killing them, they performed terrible acts on them prior to murdering them and dumped them on Saddleworth Moor in the Pennines.

1967 Vietnam B52 Bombers

1967 : B52 Bombers dropped tons of explosives on North Vietnamese bunkers and troop positions.

1976 Italy Earthquake

1976 : A powerful earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale strikes in the small town of Maiano in north-east Italy leaving at least 60 people dead and many more buried under rubble.

1979 U.S.A. Anti Nuclear Power Demonstrators

1979 : Over 65,000 anti-nuclear power demonstrators marched on the capitol in protest against more nuclear power plants, the consumer advocate Ralph Nader describes nuclear power as "our countries technological Vietnam." The group was formed after the accident at The Three Mile Island nuclear plant.

Today in Labor History May 6th

 Works Progress Administration (WPA) established at a cost of $4.8 billion—more than $80 billion in 2015 dollars—to provide work opportunities for millions during the Great Depression - 1935

Four hundred Black women working as tobacco stemmers walk off the job in a spontaneous revolt against poor working conditions and a $3 weekly wage at the Vaughan Co. in Richmond, Va. - 1937