Today In History

On this day:

In 1965
The Rolling Stones recorded the singles "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "Mother's Little Helper."

In 1968
James Taylor released his self-titled debut album.  Paul McCartney and George Harrison helped Taylor with the record, which was issued on the Beatles' Apple label.

In 1969
The Rolling Stones, Santana, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, and Jefferson Airplane played a free concert at the Altamont Speedway near San Francisco.  During the Stones' set a fan was killed by a member of the Hell's Angels.  On the advice of the Grateful Dead, the Angels had been hired to run security.  The biker said he killed the audience member because that person had allegedly been pointing a gun at Mick Jagger.

In 1970
The Rolling Stones film "Gimme Shelter" opened in New York.  The movie focuses on the Stones' 1969 tour, specifically the free concert at Altamont in which a fan was stabbed to death by a Hell's Angel.

In 1977
Jackson Browne released the album "Running On Empty."

In 1985
John Mellencamp promised to refund the tickets for 24-thousand fans at a concert in New York City because a power outage forced a 20-minute interruption to the show.

In 1999
Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, and James Taylor were named as inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000.

In 2003
David Bowie's opening show on his "A Reality Tour" in Atlantic City, New Jersey, was postponed because he had the flu.  Several other dates were also bumped.

Elvis Costello married jazz performer Diana Krall in a ceremony at Elton John's castle near London.  Paul McCartney was among those in attendance.

Funk legend George Clinton was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Strokes ended a UK tour with a show in London.  Members of Coldplay and Oasis were among those in the audience.

In 2004
Motley Crue announced plans for a reunion tour, marking the first time in five years that the original band members had performed together.

Marilyn Manson was a guest lecturer at Philadelphia's Temple University as part of mtvU's "Stand-In" series.

The Beatles first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" made the top ten in the "TV Guide"/TV Land list of the 100 Most Memorable TV Moments.

In 2005
Green Day and Gwen Stefani were among the big winners at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, while Tom Petty received the Billboard Century Award.

Eddie Van Halen's wife, Valerie Bertinelli, filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming irreconcilable differences.  At the time, the Van Halen guitarist and the actress had been separated for more than four years.

In 2006
Elvis Costello and his wife Diana Krall became parents to two boys with the birth of their twins Dexter Henry Lorcan and Frank Harlan James.

In 2007
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington were among those who took part in revealing the nominees for the 50th annual Grammy Awards.

In 2008
The Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey and Barbra Streisand attended a White House Reception in conjunction with their Kennedy Center Honors award

In 1768, the first edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica was published in Scotland.

In 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in Maryland.

In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, abolishing slavery. 

In 1876, Jack McCall was convicted of murdering Wild Bill Hickok.

In 1877, Thomas Edison demonstrated the first sound recording, reciting "Mary had a Little Lamb."
 
In 1883, the "Ladies Home Journal" was published for the first time.  The magazine's paid circulation is now over five-million.

In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge's address to a joint session of Congress became the first presidential address broadcast on radio. 

In 1950, "America's Sweetheart" Shirley Temple married businessman Charles Black. 

In 1955, Baseball Hall-of-Famer Honus Wagner died at the age of 81. 

In 1960, Domino's Pizza was founded by Thomas Monaghan.

In 1960, opera star Eileen Farrell made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

In 1969, singer Cab Calloway made his acting debut in the "Hallmark Hall-of-Fame" presentation of "The Littlest Angel."

In 1969, Steam topped the pop singles chart with "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye."

In 1969, Hell's Angels security guards stabbed to death 18-year-old Meredith Hunter right in front of the main stage of the Rolling Stones' Alamont Speedway concert in Livermore, California.  Hunter was said to have been pointing a gun a Stones frontman Mick Jagger.   

In 1975, Senator Bob Dole married Elizabeth Hanford.

In 1984, Berkeley, California, became the first American city to offer extended "domestic partnership" benefits to gay city employees.

In 1985, Hall-of-Fame puppeteer Burr Tillstrom died at the age of 68.  He was the voice of all the puppets on the show "Kukla, Fran and Ollie."

In 1985, musician John Cougar Mellencamp told 24-thousand fans at his debut concert in New York, he would refund their tickets after a power outage disrupted the show for 20 minutes. 

In 1986, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant topped the pop singles chart with "The Next Time I Fall."

In 1988, Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Roy Orbison died at the age of 52.  He recorded such hits as "Oh, Pretty Woman" and "Crying."

In 1993, actor Don Ameche died at the age of 85.  He starred in several popular films including "Trading Places" and "Cocoon."

In 1996, Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Pete Rozelle died of brain cancer at the age of 70.  He served as the league's commissioner for 29 years, helping to create the Super Bowl.

In 2003, the Reverend Al Sharpton hosted NBC's "Saturday Night Live," performing a rendition of James Brown's "I Feel Good" in his opening monologue.  The episode also included musical guest Pink and an appearance by Hilton hotel heiress Paris Hilton. 

In 2005, at his crimes against humanity trial, a frustrated Saddam Hussein told judges that he had had enough of what he called an unfair trial and vowed not to return to court the next day.  The last thing the deposed dictator was heard shouting at the five-judge panel as he exited the courtroom was "go to hell."

In 2005, Green Day, 50 Cent and Mariah Carey emerged as the big winners at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.  Green Day and 50 Cent both won six awards each.  Mariah Carey received five.  Tom Petty was presented with Billboard's Century Award while rapper Kanye West was presented with Billboard's Artist Achievement Award.

In 2008, after spending almost 28 years in a coma, U.S. heiress Martha "Sunny" von Bulow died at a Manhattan nursing home.  Von Bulow's second husband Claus von Bulow was convicted and later acquitted twice of trying to kill her with insulin injections.  The story was retold in the 1990 movie "Reversal of Fortune," starring Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons. 

In 2008, late Australian actor Heath Ledger was posthumously awarded the Australian Film Institute international award for best actor for his role as The Joker in the Batman movie "The Dark Knight."  Ledger died January 22nd, 2008 of an accidental overdose of painkillers and other medicines in his New York apartment.

In 1964
The Rolling Stones' "Little Red Rooster" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.

In 1967
The Beatles opened the boutique "Apple" in London.

Pink Floyd ended their stint as an opener on the Jimi Hendrix Experience tour with a show in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 1968
The Rolling Stones hosted a 'beggars' banquet to celebrate the release of the album "Beggar's Banquet."

In 1969
Led Zeppelin refused to let Atlantic Records release "Whole Lotta Love" as a single in the UK because the company wanted to edit the song.

In 1980
John Lennon gave his last interview, to "Rolling Stone."

In 1990
Ratt's video "Detonator" was certified Gold.

In 1993
The Gin Blossoms songwriter Douglas Hopkins killed himself.  Authorities in Arizona discovered his body 13 days later.

In 1995
The Rolling Stones released the video "Voodoo Lounge."

In 2000
Creed, 3 Doors Down, and Randy Newman were among the winners at the "2000 Billboard Music Awards."

New album releases included Roger Waters' live effort "In the Flesh" and "Freddie Mercury Solo."

In 2003
Elvis Presley's guitarist Scotty Moore had brain surgery for a subdural hematoma, or blood between the brain and the skull, a day after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Memphis.

In 2004
Elton John was among the honorees at the Kennedy Center Honors gala in Washington, DC.

The Band Aid 20 remake of "Do They Know It's Christmas?," including contributions from members of the groups Coldplay, U2, and Radiohead as well as Paul McCartney, hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.

In 2005
Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell and his wife celebrated the birth of their son, Christopher Nicholas.  He's the singer's third child, but his first son.

In 2006
Sammy Hagar was honored by officials of the Municipality of Los Cabos, Mexico for his efforts in promoting business and tourism in Cabo San Lucas and the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.

The Oklahoma City Council approved an access road in the city's Bricktown area Flaming Lips Alley.

The piano on which John Lennon wrote the song "Imagine" was featured as the centerpiece of the anti-war exhibit "Celebrating World Peace" at the Goss Gallery in Dallas, Texas.

The Hofner bass guitar which supposedly once belonged to Paul McCartney was pulled from Dick Clark's pop culture memorabilia auction after its authenticity was questioned.

In 2007
Journey announced that singer Arnel Pineda was the band's new frontman.  Guitarist Neal Schon found the Philippine-born vocalist online while checking out videos on YouTube.

In 2008
Jethro Tull played their postponed concert in Mumbai, India.  The show was originally scheduled to take place six days earlier, but was cancelled in the wake of a three-day terrorist attack on the city in which nearly 200 people were killed.  The band donated their fees from the show to local charities.

In 1791, legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died at the age of 35.

In 1776, the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity was organized at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.  

In 1792, George Washington was re-elected president. 

In 1868, the first American bicycle school opened in New York City.

In 1876, the Stillson wrench was patented by D.C. Stillson in Somerville, Massachusetts.  The Stillson wrench was the world's first practical pipe wrench. 

In 1908, The University of Pittsburgh Panthers became the first college football team to use numerals on their uniforms.

In 1929, the American League for Physical Culture was organized in New York City.  The ALPC is a nudist organization.

In 1931, Chicago "Black Sox" outfielder "Shoeless" Joe Jackson died.

In 1933, Utah became the last of 36 states to ratify the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  The move ended prohibition in the U.S. after a 14-year dry spell.

In 1948, the first church service in sign language for the hearing impaired was broadcast from St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for the Deaf in Jamaica, Long Island. 

In 1952, "The Abbott and Costello Show" started a 52-episode syndicated run on television. 

In 1953, "The Green Hornet" aired for the final time on Mutual Radio.

In 1955, the American Federation of Labor merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations to form what is now known as the AFL-CIO.

1955, the Black community of Montgomery, Alabama launched their boycott of the city's bus system.  Their actions came in response to the arrest of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus for a white man.

In 1970, the Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy and Bill Masterson Trophy were stolen from the Hockey Hall-of-Fame.

In 1984, "Beverly Hills Cop" opened in theaters.  The hit movie was the first for "Saturday Night Live" alum Eddie Murphy.

In 1985, Walter Pleate died at the age of 108.  He was the nation's oldest military veteran, having served in the Spanish-American War. 

In 1993, Gin Blossoms guitarist Douglas Hopkins died at the age of 32.

In 1994, Newt Gingrich became the first Republican speaker of the House in four decades. 

In 1995, President Clinton announced Madeleine Albright as the first female Secretary of State for his foreign policy team.

In 1999, Cuban leader Fidel Castro demanded that the United States return five-year-old Elian Gonzalez to his father in Cuba.  The young boy was rescued at sea off the Florida Coast on Thanksgiving Day a few days earlier, after the boat carrying Elian and other Cuban refugees capsized. 

In 2004, singer-songwriter Elton John, actor-director Warren Beatty and acting-producing couple Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were among those honored at the 27th Annual Kennedy Center honors.  The event, which recognizes artists who have made significant contributions to American art and culture, also recognized composer-conducter John Williams and opera great Joan Sutherland.  

In 2005, the defense team in the trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein walked out of the trial in protest after the judge refused to review their concerns about the legitimacy of the court.  The trial was peppered with outbursts from the deposed dictator himself who at one point yelled to the judges, "If you want my neck you can have it," declaring he was not afraid of execution.  Saddam and his seven former associates were charged with crimes against humanity in connection with the slayings of 148 people in 1982, following an attempt on his life.

In 2006, the black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was  sold at a London auction for 800-thousand-dollars.  The sale price was about seven times the pre-auction estimated price.  The dress was bought by an anonymous telephone bidder after a long and tense bidding session. 

In 2006, Taco Bell temporarily stopped serving green onions at all of its restaurants after an outbreak of  E-coli. 

In 1862, the United States Department of Agriculture was created.

In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association was formed on this date. Elizabeth Stanton was the association's first president.

In 1886, poet Emily Dickinson died in Amherst, Massachusetts.

In 1905, Las Vegas, Nevada, was founded.

In 1918, regular airmail service began between New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C..

In 1926, the New York Rangers became the newest franchise in the National Hockey League.

In 1928, Mickey Mouse was seen for the first time in a cartoon called "Plane Crazy." He appeared in a non-speaking role. His first vocal appearance came in "Steamboat Willie."

In 1930, Ellen Church became the first airline stewardess, flying between San Francisco and Cheyenne, Wyoming on a United Airlines flight.

In 1940, nylons went on sale at stores across the United States for the first time.

In 1941, Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees began his major league record 56-game hitting streak with a single off Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Smith.

In 1950, the first all-local radio network was formed in Arlington, Virginia.

In 1964, the Smothers Brothers gave their first-ever concert in Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In 1970, the Carpenters second album, "Close To You," was released.

In 1970, two black students were killed at Jackson State University in Mississippi when police opened fire on student protests.

In 1972, Democratic presidential candidate George Wallace was shot and left paralyzed while campaigning in Maryland. Arthur Bremer was later convicted and sentenced to prison for the shooting.

In 1973, the first issue of "Playgirl" hit newsstands.

In 1973, Nolan Ryan of the California Angels hurled the first of his seven career no hitters.

In 1985, Prince Michael of Moldavia and Amanda Carrington were married on the nighttime soap opera "Dynasty."

In 1992, a portion of Cruger Avenue in the Bronx was renamed Regis Philbin Avenue.

In 1996, Bob Dole resigned from the Senate after 27 years to focus on his presidential campaign.

In 2001, Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson was named the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2000-2001 season.

In 2004, following a win at the Kentucky Derby a few weeks earlier took, Smarty Jones took another step toward winning the Triple Crown of horse racing with a win at the 129th running of the Preakness Stakes.

In 2006, in a primetime address to the nation, President Bush said he would send up to six-thousand National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexican border to help curb the problem of illegal immigration.

In 2007, the Reverend Jerry Falwell died on this date. He was 73. The televangelist was rushed to a hospital after he was found unresponsive inside his office at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was pronounced dead a little while later. Falwell founded Lynchburg Christian Academy in 1967 and started the Lynchburg Baptist College, now known as Liberty University. In 1979, he launched a conservative political lobbying movement called the Moral Majority to encourage Christians to take part in the political process. Falwell formally dissolved the Moral Majority in 1989, but he remained a national spokesman for conservative Christian views.

In 2007, Yolanda King, the eldest daughter of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. passed away unexpectedly in California. She was 51. Yolanda King supported the work started by her father and pursued a career as a human rights worker and actress. Her mother, Coretta Scott King, died in 2006.

In 2008, following a landmark decision by the state's Supreme Court on this date, California became only the second state to allow same-sex couples to marry. In 2004, Massachusetts passed legislation to allow gay marriages when its high court ruled the state's Constitution gives same-sex couples the right to marry.

5/22/2009

In 1954
Bob Dylan, then known as Robert Zimmerman, had his bar mitzvah.

In 1955
Jerry Lee Lewis announced his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra when he was met by reporters getting off a plane in London. The resulting furor caused Lewis to be booed off stage and forced the cancellation of all but three of his concerts in his British tour. The ensuing controversy caused serious damage to his career.

Police in Bridgeport, Connecticut cancelled a dance headlined by Fats Domino because they thought, quote, "rock and roll dances might be featured," and they feared a near riot.

In 1961
Ricky Nelson's "Hello Mary Lou" peaked at number nine on the pop singles chart.

Pat Boone's "Moon River" and Dee Clark's "Raindrops" broke into the Top 40.

In 1965
The Beatles' "Ticket To Ride" hit number one on the pop singles chart.

The Rolling Stones' "The Last Time" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.

In 1967
The Monkees released the album "Headquarters."

In 1968
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's "Young Girl" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.

The Who released the album "Tommy" in Britain.

In 1971
The Rolling Stones' album "Sticky Fingers" hit number one on the album chart.

Carole King's "It's Too Late" and The Carpenters' "Rainy Days and Mondays" broke into the Top 40.

In 1972
The Guess Who recorded the album "Live at the Paramount" at a show in Seattle, Washington.

In 1975
Joe Cocker was a headliner at the Army Rock Festival at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In 1976
Wings' "Silly Love Songs" hit number one on the pop singles chart. It stayed there for five weeks.

ELO's "Strange Magic" peaked at number 14 on the pop singles chart.

Queen released "You're My Best Friend."

Five of Jimi Hendrix's Gold records were stolen from Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

In 1982
John Cougar's "Hurts So Good" and .38 Special's "Caught Up In You" broke into the Top 40.

In 1997
Fleetwood Mac reunited to tape an MTV concert. The show was turned into an album.

In 1999
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band set the record for number of shows during one stay at a single arena when they did a 15-night stand at the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey.

In 2000
Steely Dan received the Founders Award at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards.

In 2001
The Rod Stewart retrospective "A Little Misunderstood: The '60s Sessions" was released.

In 2003
Paul McCartney received an honorary doctorate from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia.

Brian Wilson and Bryan Ferry each received honorary awards at the British Ivor Novello Awards ceremony.

Solomon Burke and B.B. King were among the winners at the 24th annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards.

Stevie Wonder and the Isley Brothers were among the performers at the VH1 Divas Duets concert. The "Divas" included Chaka Khan, Lisa Marie Presley, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Whitney Houston, Jewel, and Ashanti.

In 2006
Surviving members of Led Zeppelin met the King of Sweden at the Stockholm Concert Hall to receive the Polar Music Prize.

In 2007
New album releases included Ozzy Osbourne's "Black Rain."

In 2008
Phil Collins received the International Achievement award and David Gilmour earned a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd annual Ivor Novello Awards in London.

James Taylor performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and donated most of the money from the show to the Southern Tip Partnership to help in its efforts to protect the habitat of migratory songbirds along the lower Eastern Shore of Virginia's Delmarva Peninsula.

5/24/2009

In 1968
The Rolling Stones released the single "Jumping Jack Flash."

In 1975
Supertramp's "Bloody Well Right" peaked at number 35 on the pop singles chart.

In 1979
Genesis members Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, and Tony Banks appeared at the box office of the Los Angeles club the Roxy to help sell tickets for the band's upcoming benefit for a local hospital.

In 1986
The Moody Blues' "Your Wildest Dreams" broke into the Top 40.

In 1988
Van Halen released the album "Ou812."

In 1990
Bad Company released the album "Holy Water."

In 1999
David Bowie made the first public use of full-view web cameras when he broadcast the recording session for "What's Really Happening" on the Internet.

In 2002
Despite a broken hand, Bryan Adams appeared on NBC's "The Today Show" summer concert series in support of the movie "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." Adams wrote a number of songs for the film's soundtrack.

The exhibit "the Art of Paul McCartney" opened at the Walker Gallery in Liverpool, England.

In 2003
Paul McCartney played his first concert in Russia, performing in Moscow's Red Square.

In 2004
Attorneys for Bruce Springsteen shut down an online auction in which a document said to be the rocker's birth certificate was up for bid.

B.B. King received the 2004 International Polar Music Award in Sweden.

In 2005
Motley Crue filed a lawsuit against NBC in retaliation to being banned by the network. The media outlet took action after frontman Vince Neil used profanity during a live New Year's Eve broadcast of "The Tonight Show" nearly five months earlier. The band claimed the ban was illegal and that the group had been "singled out," since NBC hadn't taken similar action against other artists who had previously cursed on the air.

B.B. King, the Average White Band, and Carla Thomas were among the performers at the "Legacy: A Tribute to Rufus Thomas" concert in Memphis, Tennessee.

In 2006
Live performed with "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry and Meat Loaf sang with runner-up Katharine McPhee on the show's season finale. Taylor Hicks won the competition.

The Rolling Stones announced that the band was postponing the first 15 shows of its European tour to give guitarist Keith Richards more time to recover from the head injury he suffered a month earlier.

In 2007
Dr. Martens' CEO apologized for the company's ad campaign that featured the images of dead rockers including Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious, The Ramones' Joey Ramone, and The Clash's Joe Strummer, admitting it was "offensive." The apology came a day after Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, blasted the company for the ads and saying she would never have authorized the use of his image for the ads.

Bo Diddley was transferred from an Omaha, Nebraska hospital to a facility near his Gainesville, Florida home as he continued to recover from a stroke he suffered earlier in the month.

Elton John, Scissor Sisters, and Arctic Monkeys were among the winners at the UK's Ivor Novello Awards, while Peter Gabriel, Yusuf Islam, and Quincy Jones received honorary awards at the event.

In 1830, the first passenger railroad service in the United States began between Baltimore and Elliott's Mills, Maryland.

In 1844, Samuel Morse demonstrated the telegraph with what is now known as Morse Code. The message "What hath God wrought" was sent from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1883, New York City's Brooklyn Bridge opened, linking Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In 1913, the United States Department of Labor entered into its first strike mediation.

In 1935, the Cincinnati Reds beat Philadelphia in the first baseball game to be played under the lights.

In 1941, the German battleship "Bismarck" sank the British battleship "Hood" in the North Atlantic.

In 1969, the Beatles topped the charts with "Get Back."

In 1974, legendary bandleader Duke Ellington died at the age of 75.

In 1974, the final "Dean Martin Show" was seen on NBC.

In 1986, country music superstar Garth Brooks married Sandy Mahl.

In 1986, Whitney Houston topped the pop music charts with "The Greatest Love of All."

In 1988, John Moschitta set the "Guinness World Record" for fast talking by spitting out 586 words per minute. He transformed his skill into a business, doing commercials for several companies including Federal Express.

In 1992, Al Unser, Jr., won the closest Indianapolis 500 in history. He crossed the finish line 43-hundredths of a second ahead of Scott Goodyear.

In 1995, Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss was sentenced to three years in prison for running a call girl operation which catered to the rich and famous.

In 1997, actor, comedian Tim Allen was arrested for drunk driving in Michigan.

In 1999, the Fox network's scandal-filled primetime series "Melrose Place" ended its run after seven seasons.

In 2003, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Judith Nathan. The ceremony was presided over by Giuliani's mayoral successor Michael Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion.

In 2005, "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno and comedian Chris Tucker testified at pop star Michael Jackson's child molestation trial in Santa Maria, California. Leno told jurors that he had received a call from Jackson's accuser five years earlier, calling it suspicious. He said he called police after he feared a shakedown by the accuser's family. Tucker told the court that he had warned Michael Jackson earlier to be wary of motives of the accuser's family.

In 2006, 29-year-old Taylor Hicks was named "American Idol" on the fifth season finale of the hit Fox reality singing competition. Hicks' closest competitor was 22-year-old Katharine McPhee who competed with Hicks in the final two.

In 2008, comedian Dick Martin, best known as the co-host of "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" died on this date at the age of 86. Martin co-hosted the NBC variety show with Dan Rowan from 1952 to 1973.

In 2008, daredevil Robbie Knievel successfully jumped 24 semi-trucks with his motorcycle at King's Island in Ohio. Thousands of people were on hand to watch as Knievel sped 95-miles-an-hour off the launch ramp. Knievel soared 200 feet before reaching his landing ramp. Robbie became the second Knievel to make a successful jump at Kings Island. His father, Evel, jumped 14 Greyhound buses there in 1975.