On May 20, 1873, San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and
Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis (above) were given a patent to
create work pants reinforced with metal rivets, marking the birth
of one of the world’s most famous garments: blue jeans.
Kenneth Charles Osmond (June 7, 1943 – May 18, 2020)
Actor and police officer, best known for his iconic role as Eddie
Haskell on the late 1950s to early 1960s television situation
comedy Leave It to Beaver.
Osmond died at his home in Los Angeles on May 18, 2020, at
age 76, from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease and peripheral artery disease. News of his death was
first announced by his son, Eric, in a statement through
Osmond’s representative.
Ken Osmond joined the LAPD and worked
in Vice and as a motor cop. In September
1980, he was shot three times in a foot
chase after a car thief. Two of the bullets
struck his bulletproof vest and the third
ricocheted off his belt buckle.
He eventually retired from the force in
1988 after 18 years.
On Sunday, at 8:32 a.m. PDT, Mount St. Helens, a volcanic peak in southwestern Washington, suffered a massive eruption, killing 57
people and devastating some 210 square miles of wilderness.
USGS geologist Don Swanson (in red) and his colleague, Jim Moore, view a car filled with ash deposits from the May 18, 1980, eruption
of Mount St. Helens. (USGS photo)
Harold R. "Harry" Truman (October 30, 1896 – May 18, 1980)
Truman was the owner and caretaker of Mount St. Helens
Lodge at Spirit Lake.
The mountain as it looks today.
The Kingsmen, from left, Don Gallucci, Jack Ely, Lynn Easton, Mike Mitchell and Bob Nordby. (Gino Rossi photo)
Based on outcry from parents who bought into what may have started as an
idle rumor, the FBI launched a formal investigation in 1964 into the so-called
pornographic lyrics of the song “Louie, Louie.” The investigation finally
neared its conclusion on this day in 1965, when the FBI Laboratory declared
the lyrics of “Louie, Louie” to officially unintelligible. The tune would go
on to become one of the most –covered songs in rock-and-roll history.
Jack Ely, the guitar player and lead singer for the Kingsmen, sang
the classic rock and roll song “Louie, Louie, ” died April 27, 2015
at age 71.
Frederick Charles Willard (September 18, 1933 – May 15, 2020)
Frank Willard,The beloved star with several acting credits — including
"Best in Show," "This is Spinal Tap" and "Everybody Loves Raymond"
— died of natural causes. He was 86.
Fred Willard (left) with Jim Piddock in “Best in Show”, 2000.
