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Today is May 7 2015

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   I.
Today's Holidays and Historical Events (updated daily)
Today's Food Holiday

National Roast Leg of Lamb Day: More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • National Packaging Design Day: More
    Founded by Design Packaging.
  • National Paste-Up Day: More
    Celebrate the printer media's paste-up artist layout artist, mechanical artist, production artist or compositor.
Awareness / Observance Days on: May 7
  • Health
    • Alzheimer’s Tea Day: More
      A fund raiser in Ireland.
    • National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day: More
      From the web site: 'This year, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day will address the needs of children, youth, and young adults with mental health or mental health and substance use challenges and their families.'
    • National Barrier Awareness Day: More
      1986 presidential proclamation: Proclamation 5472. Concerns removing barriers for the handicapped. This includes physical, emotional, economical and social.
    • National Day to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: More
      From the web site: '... teens are encouraged to visit StayTeen.org and take the National Day quiz, which offers pregnancy prevention messages ...'
    • Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously.): More
      Since 1989, on the first Wed. in May at 10 am. From Wikipedia: 'It is part of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and National Physical Education Week. It is often called 'the world's largest exercise class,' as it brings millions of children, parents and teachers together from all over the world to exercise simultaneously in a symbolic gesture of fitness and unity.'
  • Other
    • Radio Day: More
      In Russia and Bulgaria, recognizing radio pioneer, Alexander Popov.
Events in the past on: May 7
  • In 1847, The American Medical Association is founded in Philadelphia.
    From Wikipedia: 'The American Medical Association (AMA), founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of physicians—both MDs and DOs—and medical students in the United States.

    The AMA's stated mission is to promote the art and science of medicine for the betterment of the public health, to advance the interests of physicians and their patients, to promote public health, to lobby for legislation favorable to physicians and patients, and to raise money for medical education. The Association also publishes the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which has the largest circulation of any weekly medical journal in the world. The AMA also publishes a list of Physician Specialty Codes which are the standard method in the U.S. for identifying physician and practice specialties.

    In 1847 after a report by physician Nathan Smith Davis, members of the AMA met in Philadelphia as a national professional medical organization, the first of its kind in the world, going on to establish uniform standards for medical education, training, and practice, the world's first national code for ethical medical practice. Ever since, the AMA Code of Medical Ethics dictates professional conduct for practicing physicians.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1895,In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector — a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day.
    From Wikipedia: 'Alexander Stepanovich Popov (sometimes spelled Popoff March 16 (O.S. March 4) 1859 – January 13 (O.S. December 31, 1905) 1906) was a Russian physicist who is acclaimed in his homeland and eastern European countries as the inventor of radio.

    Popov's work as a teacher at a Russian naval school led him to explore high frequency electrical phenomena. On May 7, 1895 he presented a paper on a wireless lightning detector he had built that worked via using a coherer to detect radio noise from lightning strikes. This day is celebrated in the Russian Federation as Radio Day. In a March 24, 1896 demonstration he used radio waves to transmit a message between different campus buildings in St Petersburg. His work was based on the work of other physicists such as Oliver Lodge and contemporaneous with the work of radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1914, The U.S. Congress establishes Mother's Day as the second Sunday in May...
    From Wikipedia: 'Mothers Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father's Day and Siblings Day.

    In the United States, celebration of Mothers Day began in the early 20th century. It is not related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration (originally a commemoration of Mother Church, not motherhood). In some countries, Mothers Day has become synonymous with these older traditions.

    The United States celebrates Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. In 1872 Julia Ward Howe called for women to join in support of disarmament and asked for 2 June 1872, to be established as a "Mother's Day for Peace". Her 1870 "Appeal to womanhood throughout the world" is sometimes referred to as Mother's Day Proclamation. But Howe's day was not for honouring mothers but for organizing pacifist mothers against war. In the 1880s and 1890s there were several further attempts to establish an American "Mother's Day", but these did not succeed beyond the local level.
    - At FamousDaily: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In1915, The German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard were killed including 128 Americans. Public reaction to the sinking turns many formerly pro-Germans in the United States against the German Empire.
    From Wikipedia: 'On the morning of 6 May, Lusitania was 750 miles (1,210 km) west of southern Ireland. By 05:00 on 7 May she reached a point 120 miles (190 km) west south west of Fastnet Rock (off the southern tip of Ireland), where she met the patrolling boarding vessel Partridge. By 06:00, heavy fog had arrived and extra lookouts were posted. As the ship came closer to Ireland Captain Turner ordered depth soundings to be made and at 08:00 for speed to be reduced to eighteen knots, then to 15 knots and for the foghorn to be sounded. Some of the passengers were disturbed that the ship appeared to be advertising her presence. By 10:00 the fog began to lift, by noon it had been replaced by bright sunshine over a clear smooth sea and speed increased to 18 knots.

    U-20 surfaced again at 12:45 as visibility was now excellent. At 13:20 something was sighted and Schwieger was summoned to the conning tower: at first it appeared to be several ships because of the number of funnels and masts, but this resolved into one large steamer appearing over the horizon. At 13:25 the submarine submerged to periscope depth of 11 metres and set a course to intercept the liner at her maximum submerged speed of 9 knots. When the ships had closed to 2 miles (3.2 km) Lusitania turned away, Schwieger feared he had lost his target, but she turned again, this time onto a near ideal course to bring her into position for an attack. At 700m range he ordered one gyroscopic torpedo to be fired, set to run at a depth of three metres, which was fired at 14:10.

    At 14:12 Captain Turner ordered Quartermaster Johnston stationed at the ship's wheel to steer 'hard-a-starboard' towards the Irish coast, which Johnston confirmed, but the ship could not be steadied on the course and rapidly ceased to respond to the wheel. Turner signalled for the engines to be reversed to halt the ship, but although the signal was received in the engine room, nothing could be done. Steam pressure had collapsed from 195 psi before the explosion, to 50 psi and falling afterwards.:227 Lusitania's wireless operator sent out an immediate SOS, which was acknowledged by a coastal wireless station. Shortly afterward he transmitted the ship's position, 10 miles (16 km) south of the Old Head of Kinsale. :228 At 14:14 electrical power failed, plunging the cavernous interior of the ship into darkness. Radio signals continued on emergency batteries, but electric lifts failed, trapping passengers and crew; bulkhead doors closed as a precaution before the attack could not be reopened to release trapped men.

    About one minute after the electrical power failed, Captain Turner gave the order to abandon ship. Water had flooded the ship's starboard longitudinal compartments, causing a 15-degree list to starboard.

    Many lifeboats overturned while loading or lowering, spilling passengers into the sea; others were overturned by the ship's motion when they hit the water.

    Lusitania had 48 lifeboats, more than enough for all the crew and passengers, but only six were successfully lowered, all from the starboard side.

    Lusitania sank in only 18 minutes, 11.5 miles (19 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale. It took several hours for help to arrive from the Irish coast, but by the time help had arrived, many in the 52 °F (11.1 °C) water had succumbed to the cold. By the days' end, 764 passengers and crew from the Lusitania had been rescued and landed at Queenstown. DEventually, the final death toll for the disaster came to a catastrophic number. Of the 1,959 passengers and crew aboard the Lusitania at the time of her sinking, 1,195 had been lost. In the days following the disaster, the Cunard line offered local fishermen and sea merchants a cash reward for the bodies floating all throughout the Irish Sea, some floating as far away as the Welsh coast. In all, only 289 bodies were recovered, 65 of which were never identified. The bodies of many of the victims were buried at either Queenstown, where 148 bodies were interred in the Old Church Cemetery, or the Church of St. Multose in Kinsale, but the bodies of the remaining 885 victims were never recovered.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1934, A 6.4 kg pearl was found at Palawan, Philippines, making it the world's largest.
    From Wikipedia: 'The largest pearl known was found in the Philippines in 1934 and is known as the Pearl of Lao Tzu. It is a naturally-occurring, non-nacreous, calcareous concretion (pearl) from a giant clam. Because it did not grow in a pearl oyster it is not pearly; instead the surface is glossy like porcelain. Other pearls from giant clams are known to exist, but this is a particularly large one, weighing 14 lb (6.4 kg)'.
    - At FamousDaily: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1941, Glenn Miller and his orchestra record 'Chattanooga Choo Choo'.
    From Wikipedia: '"Chattanooga Choo Choo" is a 1941 song by Harry Warren (music) and Mack Gordon (words). It was originally recorded as a big-band/swing tune by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra and featured in the 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade'.

    The song was an extended production number in the 20th Century Fox film Sun Valley Serenade. The Glenn Miller recording, RCA Bluebird B-11230-B, became the #1 song across the United States on December 7, 1941, and remained as #1 for nine weeks on the Billboard Best Sellers chart. The flip side of the single was "I Know Why (And So Do You)", which was the A side.
    - At FamousDaily: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In1945, General Alfred Jodl signs unconditional surrender terms at Reims, France, ending Germany's participation in World War II. The document takes effect the next day, May 8, which would become Victory in Europe (VE Day).
    From Wikipedia: 'The German Instrument of Surrender ended World War II in Europe. The definitive text was signed in Karlshorst, Berlin on the night of 8 May 1945 by representatives of the three armed services of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) and the Allied Expeditionary Force together with the Supreme High Command of the Red Army, with further French and US representatives signing as witnesses; an earlier version of the text having been signed in a ceremony in Reims in the early hours of 7 May 1945. In the West, 8 May is known as Victory in Europe Day; whereas in post-Soviet states the Victory Day is celebrated on 9 May, since the definitive signing occurred after midnight Moscow time.

    There were three language versions of the surrender document. The Russian and English versions were the only authoritative ones'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1946, Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (later renamed Sony) is founded with around 20 employees.
    From Wikipedia: 'Sony Corporation, commonly referred to as Sony /'so?ni?/, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Konan Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Its diversified business includes consumer and professional electronics, gaming, entertainment and financial services. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets. Sony is ranked 116th on the 2015 list of Fortune Global 500.

    Sony began in the wake of World War II. In 1946, Masaru Ibuka started an electronics shop in a department store building in Tokyo. The company had $530 in capital and a total of eight employees.] In the following year he was joined by his colleague, Akio Morita, and they founded a company called Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation). The company built Japan's first tape recorder, called the Type-G. In 1958 the company changed its name to "Sony"'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1952, The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey W.A. Dummer.
    From Wikipedia: 'Early developments of the integrated circuit go back to 1949, when German engineer Werner Jacobi (Siemens AG) filed a patent for an integrated-circuit-like semiconductor amplifying device showing five transistors on a common substrate in a 3-stage amplifier arrangement. Jacobi disclosed small and cheap hearing aids as typical industrial applications of his patent. An immediate commercial use of his patent has not been reported.

    The idea of the integrated circuit was conceived by Geoffrey W.A. Dummer (1909–2002), a radar scientist working for the Royal Radar Establishment of the British Ministry of Defence. Dummer presented the idea to the public at the Symposium on Progress in Quality Electronic Components in Washington, D.C. on 7 May 1952. He gave many symposia publicly to propagate his ideas, and unsuccessfully attempted to build such a circuit in 1956.

    Newly employed by Texas Instruments, Kilby recorded his initial ideas concerning the integrated circuit in July 1958, successfully demonstrating the first working integrated example on 12 September 1958. In his patent application of 6 February 1959, Kilby described his new device as "a body of semiconductor material … wherein all the components of the electronic circuit are completely integrated." The first customer for the new invention was the US Air Force.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

Tomorrow's food holiday will be National Roast Leg of Lamb Day'.
[The Hankster says] Every time I hear 'roast Leg of Lamb' I remember the old Alfred Hitchcock Presents TV show where a wife commits murder by hitting her husband over the head with a frozen leg of lamb. She fakes a story and no blunt weapon can be found that might have caused the head injury. Later she invites the investigating police team to dinner. Yep, she serves them the murder weapon.

Tomorrow is 'National Packaging Design Day'. Founded by Design Packaging.
[The Hankster says] The packaging and what is really inside, no I won't go there.

It will be 'National Paste-Up Day' tomorrow. Celebrate the printer media's paste-up artist layout artist, mechanical artist, production artist or compositor.
[The Hankster says] The tedious work has changed over time, due to advanced electronics and computers.

Awareness / Observance Days on: May 7

0 Health
- 'Alzheimer’s Tea Day'. A fund raiser in Ireland.

- 'National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day'. From the web site: 'This year, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day will address the needs of children, youth, and young adults with mental health or mental health and substance use challenges and their families.'

- 'National Barrier Awareness Day'. 1986 presidential proclamation: Proclamation 5472. Concerns removing barriers for the handicapped. This includes physical, emotional, economical and social.

- 'National Day to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy'. From the web site: '... teens are encouraged to visit StayTeen.org and take the National Day quiz, which offers pregnancy prevention messages ...'

- 'Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously.)'. Since 1989, on the first Wed. in May at 10 am. From Wikipedia: 'It is part of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and National Physical Education Week. It is often called 'the world's largest exercise class,' as it brings millions of children, parents and teachers together from all over the world to exercise simultaneously in a symbolic gesture of fitness and unity.'

o Other
- 'Radio Day'. In Russia and Bulgaria, recognizing radio pioneer, Alexander Popov.

Eugene Ionesco once said 'We have not the time to take our time.'
[The Hankster says] Another one of our time philosophers who seems to be opposed to the 'take time to smell the roses' idea. I bet the answer is, as in a lot of things, moderation and variety. So let us take a walk back through May 7 in the past. You decide if it will be a manic or leisurely stroll.

In 1847, The American Medical Association is founded in Philadelphia.

In 1895, In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector — a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day.

In 1914, The U.S. Congress establishes Mother's Day as the second Sunday in May.

In1915, The German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard were killed including 128 Americans. Public reaction to the sinking turns many formerly pro-Germans in the United States against the German Empire.

In 1934, A 6.4 kg pearl was found at Palawan, Philippines, making it the world's largest.

In 1941, Glenn Miller and his orchestra record 'Chattanooga Choo Choo'.

In1945, General Alfred Jodl signs unconditional surrender terms at Reims, France, ending Germany's participation in World War II. The document takes effect the next day, May 8, which would become Victory in Europe (VE Day).

In 1946, Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (later renamed Sony) is founded with around 20 employees.

In 1952, The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey W.A. Dummer.

In 1970, The Beatles release 'The Long And Winding Road', the band's last American release.

In 1992, Michigan ratifies a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise.

In 1998, Chrysler is purchased by Mercedes-Benz for $40 billion, making it the largest industrial merger in history.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today (last updated Apr 25 2015 next May 9 2015

No. 1 song

  • Game of Love - Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders: More
    'I'm Telling You Now' has been displaced by 'Game of Love', which will hold the no. 1 spot until May 11 1965, when 'Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter - Herman's Hermits', takes over.

Top movie

  • The Sound of Music (again) More
    Having displaced 'In Harm's Way', it will be there until the weekend box office of May 9 1965 when, 'Brainstorm', takes over.
  IV.
Today in the Past (reference sites): May 7
   V.
This month May 2015 (updated once a month - last updated - may 1 2015)

Monthly holiday / awareness days in May

Food
Aramanth May Grain of the Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
International / National Mediterranean Diet Month
National Barbeque Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salsa Month
National Sweet Vidalia Onions Month
National Vinegar Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month

Health and Well-Being
Descriptions are simple dictionary definitions and are not meant to be a full medical description.
ALS Awareness Month (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Arthritis Awareness Month
Asthma Awareness Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month (communication disorders)
Borderline Personality Disorder Month
Brain Tumor Awareness Month
Celiac Awareness Month (gluten sensitivity)
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
EDS Awareness Month ((Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - inherited disorder affecting connective tissues)
Family Wellness Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month (musculoskeletal pain, fatigue,)
Global Civility Awareness Month
Global Health and Fitness Month
Heal the Children Month (provides critical medical care to children all around the world)
Healthy Vision Month
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month (hereditary disease marked by degeneration of the brain cells)
Lupus Awareness Month (chronic, autoimmune disease effecting skin, joints, organs)
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month
National Better Hearing Month
National Hepatitis Awareness Month (inflammation of the liver)
National High Blood Pressure Education Month
Neurofibromatosis / NF Awareness Month (gentic disorder, most concerned with tumors of the nerves)
Lyme Disease Awareness Month (inflammatory disease transmitted by bacteria via ticks)
National Mental Health Month
National Osteoporosis Prevention Month ( brittle and fragile bone disease)
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Toddler Immunization Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Month
National Water Safety Month
Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month (genetic condition of Infants, slow growth, weakness)
Preeclampsia Awareness Month (a condition in pregnancy)
Strike Out Strokes Month
Tay-Sachs and Canavan Diseases Month (progressive deterioration of nerve cells )
Tourettes Syndrome Awareness (neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics)
Women's Health Care Month

Environmental
American Wetlands Month
Clean Air Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month

Other
APS Awareness Month (American Physical Society)
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Building Safety Month
Creative Beginnings Month
Drum Month (music)
Get Caught Reading Month
Golf Month
Haitian Heritage Month
International Audit Month
International Business Image Improvement Month
Latino Books Month
Motorcycle Safety Month
National Bike Month
National Foster Care Month
National Good Car Keeping Month
National Inventors Month
National Military Appreciation Month
National Photo Month
National Preservation Month (by The National Register of Historic Places)
National Smile Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Month
Social Security Education Awareness Month
Tennis Month
Young Achievers of Tomorrow Month

Pets
Chip Your Pet Month
Go Fetch! Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month
National Pet Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month


May is:

May origin (from Wikipedia):
The month May was named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May. Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for 'elders,' and that the following month (June) is named for the iuniores, or 'young people'

May ' is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days.
May is a month of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and spring in the Northern Hemisphere (Summer in Europe). Therefore May in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of November in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa. '

May at Wikipedia: More

  VI.
TV fifty years ago 1965 (updated yearly - last updated Jan. 1 2015)

If you couldn't afford 90 cents for a movie ticket, 50 years ago, or your 45 RPM record player was broke, you might watch one of these shows on TV.
From this Wikipedia article: More

 VII.
Best selling books fifty years ago (updated yearly - last updated Jan. 1 2015)

Best selling books of 1965 More

VIII.
Fun (Last link added October 1 2014, but content on each site may change daily)
  • Astronomy Picture of the Day: More
  • NOAA: - National Hurricane Center - Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook: More
  • Listen to Old Radio Shows: (streaming mp3 with schedule) More
  • NASA TV: (video feed) More
    NASA TV schedule: More
  • Public Domain eBook Links

    Sites for downloading or reading free Public Domain eBooks. Available in various formats. More

  • Podcast: A Moment of Science. Approximately 1 minute general science facts.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Podcast: The Naked Scientists. Current science, medicine, space and other science
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Podcast: Quirks & Quarks. Current science news.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Articles and videos: Universe Today. Current space and astronomy news.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Old Picture of the Day - "Each day we bring you one stunning little glimpse of history in the form of a historical photograph."
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  IX.
Other Holiday Sites (Last link added October 1 2014. Link content changes yearly)

Below, are listed several holiday sites that I reference in addition to other holiday researches.


US Government Holidays

  • 2015 Postal Holidays More
  • 2015 Official Federal Holidays More

Holidays Worldwide

  • List of holidays by country More
  • Holidays and Observances around the World More
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