Today in History: May 20
Today is Tuesday, May 20, the 140th day of 2025. There are 225 days left in the year.
Historical Events:
On May 20, 1956, the United States conducted the first airborne test of a hydrogen bomb over Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, aimed at promoting settlement and farming in the western United States by offering federal land for private ownership.
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh embarked on his solo transatlantic flight from Long Island, New York, to France aboard the Spirit of St. Louis.
In 1932, aviator Amelia Earhart began her solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland, ultimately landing in Northern Ireland due to weather and equipment issues.
In 1948, Chiang Kai-shek was elected as the first president of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
In 1961, a violent white mob attacked a bus carrying Freedom Riders in Montgomery, Alabama, leading to the intervention of U.S. marshals to restore order.
In 1969, U.S. and South Vietnamese forces captured Ap Bia Mountain, known as “Hamburger Hill,” in one of the deadliest battles of the Vietnam War.
In 1985, Radio Marti, a U.S. government-operated radio station, began broadcasting, prompting Cuba to attempt to jam its signal.
In 2015, major banks including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Barclays, and the Royal Bank of Scotland agreed to pay over $5 billion in fines and plead guilty to manipulating currency markets.
Birthdays:
- Japanese baseball star Sadaharu Oh turns 85.
- Singer-actor Cher celebrates her 79th birthday.
- Actor-comedian Dave Thomas is 76 today.
- Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, a Republican, turns 74.
- Political commentator Ron Reagan celebrates his 67th birthday.
- Musician Jane Wiedlin, known for The Go-Go’s, turns 67.
- Actor Bronson Pinchot is 66 today.
- TV personality Ted Allen celebrates his 60th birthday.
- Actor Mindy Cohn turns 59.
- Actor Timothy Olyphant is 57 today.
- Former racing driver Tony Stewart celebrates his 54th birthday.
- Rapper Busta Rhymes turns 53.
- Actor Matt Czuchry is 48 today.
- Actor-singer Naturi Naughton celebrates her 41st birthday.
- Cyclist Chris Froome turns 40.
- Country musician Jon Pardi also turns 40 today.
