Category: Today

On May 7, 1992, Michigan ratified a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. The amendment had been written by James Madison and was part of the original twelve amendments that became the ten amendments making up the Bill of Rights. It bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a pay raise until after the next election, so that voters have a chance to decide whether those voting for the raise will be in Congress to receive it.

On May 7, 1945, German officials signed an unconditional surrender to the Allies at Reims, France.

On May 6, 1862, American author, philosopher and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau was born.

On May 5, 1215, rebel barons renounced their allegiance to King John of England, which eventually led to the signing of the Magna Carta.

In 1862, troops led by Ignacio Zaragoza stopped a French invasion in the Battle of Puebla in Mexico — an event leading to the popular “Cinco de Mayo” celebration.

On May 4, 1796, American historian William H. Prescott was born. Prescott’s “History of the Conquest of Mexico” and his “Conquest of Peru” remain classic works of well-researched, “scientific history.”

In 1791, the Constitution of May 3, the first modern constitution in Europe, was proclaimed by the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

On May 3 in 1915, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae composed the poem “In Flanders Fields.”

On May 2, 1989, Hungary began dismantling its border fence with Austria, allowing a number of East Germans to defect.

On May 1, 1851, Queen Victoria performed the ritual function of opening the Great Exhibition in London.

On April 30, 1902, future Nobel Laureate for his work in economics, Theodore W. Schultz, was born.

On April 29, 1945, U.S. troops liberated the Dachau concentration camp.

On April 28, 1789, Lieutenant William Bligh and 18 sailors were set adrift by the rebel crew of the HMS Bounty, which returned briefly to Tahiti and then set sail for Pitcairn Island. On the same date in 2001, millionaire Dennis Tito became the world’s first space tourist.