President Trump (above) said he is directing the Bureau of
Prisons, Department of Justice, the FBI and Department
of Homeland Security to reopen a "substantially enlarged
and rebuilt" Alcatraz, "to house America’s most ruthless
and violent offenders."

The island was developed in the mid-19th century with
facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a
military prison. In 1934, the island was converted into
a federal prison, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.

Alcatraz ultimately closed in 1963 after its island operations
proved far more costly than mainland-based prisons.

On May 4, 1956, rockabilly legend Gene Vincent recorded
the smoldering early-rock classic “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” in
Nashville, Tennessee.

“Be-Bop-A-Lula” became a smash, rising to #7 on the
pop charts and selling more than 2 million copies in
its first year of release.

Vincent Eugene Craddock (Gene Vincent) (1935 – 1971)

On May 4, 1970, in Kent, Ohio, 28 National Guardsmen fire their
weapons at a group of anti-war demonstrators on the Kent State University campus, killing four students and wounding nine.

The tragedy was a watershed moment for a nation divided by the
conflict in Vietnam, and further galvanized the anti-war movement.

Two days earlier, on May 2, National Guard troops were called to
Kent to suppress students rioting in protest of the Vietnam War
and the U.S. invasion of Cambodia.

Some of the protesters, refusing to yield, responded by throwing
rocks and verbally taunting the troops (below).

"May the 4th" is a day for all lovers of Jedi, the Resistance,
the Skywalkers, the Hutts, Boba Fett, Baby Yoda, Gamorrean
guards, Maz Kanata, General Grievous, Rancor Keeper and
Jek Porkins (RIP) to unite and celebrate all there is in the
galaxy far, far away. (Why May 4, you ask? Why, it’s right
there in the date, a play on "May the Force be with you.")
(USA TODAY)

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996)

"First Lady of Song" Ella Fitzgerald becomes the first Black
woman to win a Grammy at the Recording Academy’s inaugural
awards show on May 4, 1959.

During the event at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Fitzgerald
took home two of 28 awards for best jazz and female vocal
performances. “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song
Book” bested performances by Doris Day, Eydie Gorme, Peggy
Lee and Keely Smith for best female vocal performance.

In contrast “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book”
won for jazz performance.

That year, Count Basie became the first Black man to win a
Grammy, also taking home two awards, for best jazz group
performance and best performance by a dance band.