May 18

Supreme Court rules “separate but equal” in Plessy v. Ferguson case (1896); Pope John Paul II born in Poland (1920); Comedian Tina Fey born (1970); India detonates its first nuclear test bomb “Smiling Buddha” (1974); Mount St. Helens erupts in Washington state (1980); Musician Chris Cornell dies (2017).

May 17

Aristides is first winner of the Kentucky Derby (1875); Brown v. Board of Education decision outlaws racial segregation in public schools (1954); Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard born (1956); First legal same-sex marriages performed in the US (2004); Singer Donna Summer dies (2012).

May 15

National Woman Suffrage Association founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1869); Poet Emily Dickinson dies (1886); Mickey Mouse makes first cartoon appearance (1928); Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright born (1937); Soviet Union begins withdrawal of 115,000 troops from Afghanistan (1988).

May 16

First Academy Awards hosted (1929); Warsaw Ghetto Uprising ends (1943); Singer Janet Jackson born (1966); Entertainer Andy Kaufman dies (1984); "Muppets" creator Jim Henson dies (1990); Performer Sammy Davis Jr. dies (1990). 

NATIONAL BIOGRAPHER’S DAY

"On May 16 honors National Biographer's Day as a day to commemorate the anniversary of the first meeting of Samuel Johnson, an English writer, and his biographer James Boswell in London, England on May 16, 1763."https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/national-biographers-day-may-16

MALCOLM X DAY

"Today is Malcolm X Day on the National Day Calendar. Though his official birthday is May 19, we honor the birthday and life of Malcolm X on the third Friday in May. Join us as we explore his life and see how one man became an inspiration for change and equality inspiring Malcolm X Day."

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/malcolm-x-day-third-friday-in-may

May 13

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embark on their famous expedition (1804); "Star Wars" creator George Lucas born (1944); Skylab, the first US space station, launched (1973); Singer Frank Sinatra dies (1998); Blues musician BB King dies (2015).