On This Day:
Friday May 8, 2015 This is the 128th day of the year, with 237 days remaining in 2015. Fact of the Day: turkey Domestication of the common turkey was probably begun by the Indians of Pre-Columbian Mexico. The birds were first taken to Spain about 1519, and from Spain they spread throughout Europe, reaching England in 1541. When the bird became popular in England, the name turkey-cock, formerly used for the guinea fowl of Islamic (or "Turkish") lands, was transferred to it. English colonists then introduced European-bred strains of the turkey to eastern North America in the 17th century. Turkeys were mainly bred for their beautifully colored plumage until about 1935, after which the breeding emphasis changed to their meat qualities.
Holidays Czech Republic: Liberation Day.
France: Victory Day.
Slovakia: Liberation Day.
World Red Cross Day.
Norway: Liberation Day.
Feast day of St. Indract, St. Odger, St. Victor, St. Wiro, St. Peter of Tarentaise, St. Benedict II, pope, St. Boniface IV, pope, St. Gibrian, St. Plechelm, St. Desideratus of Bourges, and St. Acacius.
Events 1541 - Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River, which he called Rio de Espiritu Santo.
1794 - The United States Post Office was established.
1846 - The first major battle of the Mexican War was fought at Palo Alto, Texas, with a victory for General Zachary Taylor's forces.
1886 - Atlanta pharmacist John Styth Pemberton invented the flavored syrup for Coca-Cola.
1886 - The Presidential Succession law was passed in the U.S., providing for succession to presidency in the event of the death of the President and/or Vice President.
1902 - On the Caribbean island of Martinique, the volcano Mount Pelée erupted, killing 30,000 people.
1945 - President Harry Truman announced the end of World War II in a radio address.
1945 - V-E Day Victory in Europe) was celebrated throughout the free world. {Germany surrendered in a second ceremony, in Berlin.
1970 - The Beatles 13th, and last, album, "Let It Be," was released.
1973 - A 71-day standoff, between federal authorities and the American Indian Movement members occupying the Pine Ridge Reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, ends with the surrender of the militants.
1984 - The Soviet Union announces that it will boycott the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
2005 - The new Canadian War Museum opens in Ottawa, Ontario.
Births 1828 - Jean Henri Dunant, Swiss philanthropist, founder of the Red Cross and YMCA, first recipient (jointly) of the Nobel Peace Prize.
1847 - Oscar Hammerstein I, American playwright, producer.
1884 - Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States of America (1945-1953).
1905 - Roberto Rossellini, Italian film director.
1926 - David Attenborough, English naturalist and broadcaster.
1926 - Don Rickles, American comedian.
1940 - Peter Benchley, American author best known for writing the novel Jaws.
1940 - Ricky Nelson (born Eric Hilliard Nelson), singer born in Teaneck, New Jersey.
1953 - Alex Van Halen, Dutch drummer and co-founder of the rock band Van Halen.
1964 - Bobby Labonte, American race car driver.
1975 - Enrique Iglesias, Spanish singer.
Deaths 1819 - Kamehameha I, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1810.
1873 - John Stuart Mill, English philosopher.
1903 - Paul Gauguin, French painter.
1947 - Harry Gordon Selfridge, American-born retail magnate, who founded the British department store Selfridges.
1988 - Robert A. Heinlein, American science fiction writer.
1994 - George Peppard, American actor.
1998 - Bebe Rebozo (born Charles Gregory Rebozo), American banker and Watergate figure.
2006 - Iain MacMillan, a British photographer best known for taking the picture on the cover of The Beatles' Abbey Road album.
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