This week spans centuries of triumph, tragedy, and transformation. In 1703, Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg, shaping Russia’s future, while in 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Mount Everest. We remember the sinking of the Bismarck in 1941, the signing of the Indian Removal Act in 1830, and the devastating Johnstown Flood of 1889. From Big Ben’s first chime in 1859 to CNN’s groundbreaking launch in 1980, these events reflect humanity’s enduring ambition, resilience, and the ever-changing course of history.
May 27
1703 – Founding of St. Petersburg: Peter the Great established St. Petersburg, which later became a vital Russian cultural and political center.
1941 – Sinking of the Bismarck: The British navy sank the German battleship Bismarck in the North Atlantic, resulting in over 2,000 German casualties.
May 28
1830 – Indian Removal Act Signed: President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law, leading to the forced relocation of Native American tribes.
585 BC – Solar Eclipse Predicted by Thales: A solar eclipse occurred as predicted by Greek philosopher Thales, leading to a truce between the Lydians and the Medes.
May 29
1953 – First Ascent of Mount Everest: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
2003 – Bob Hope’s 100th Birthday: Comedian Bob Hope celebrated his 100th birthday, with 35 U.S. states declaring it Bob Hope Day.
May 30
1806 – Andrew Jackson’s Duel: Future U.S. President Andrew Jackson killed Charles Dickinson in a duel over a horse racing dispute.
1868 – First Memorial Day Observance: Known as Decoration Day, the first major Memorial Day observance honored Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers.
May 31
1889 – Johnstown Flood: The South Fork Dam collapsed in Pennsylvania, causing the Johnstown Flood that killed over 2,200 people.
1859 – Big Ben Begins Ticking: The clock tower known as Big Ben started operating in London.
June 1
1968 – Death of Helen Keller: Helen Keller, renowned author and advocate for the disabled, died at age 87.
1980 – CNN Launches: The Cable News Network (CNN) began 24-hour news broadcasting, revolutionizing news media.
June 2
1924 – U.S. Citizenship for Native Americans: Congress granted full American citizenship to Native Americans born within U.S. territorial limits.
1941 – Death of Lou Gehrig: Baseball legend Lou Gehrig died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at age 37.
