James Douglas Morrison(December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971) and The Doors.
The song "Light My Fire" by the Doors was recorded in August 1966 and released in January 1967 on their self-titled debut album. It was released as an edited single on April 24, 1967, it spent three weeks at at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in late July, and one week on the Cash Box Top 100, nearly a year after its recording.
In Britain on this day in 1967, "Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" was released by the Beatles. It was released June 2 in the U.S.
Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson) (June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962)
Iconic sex symbol Marilyn Monroe starred in the classic comedy Some Like It Hot (1959) and became the most famous woman in the world during the 1950s. Her other memorable films include 1955’s The Seven Year Itch and 1953’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Personal struggles took hold of her late in hercareer and she died of an overdose of barbiturates at the young age of 36. The above photo is from Marilyn Monroe’s final photoshoot, just three weeks before her death.
Cable News Network (CNN) made its debut as the first all-news station on this day in 1980. Ted Turner (above) launched the network.
A statue of Brigham Young at the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Helen Adams Keller (Born June 27, 1880, Tuscumbia, Alabama, died June 1, 1968, Westport, Connecticut), She was a author andeducator who was blind and deaf. Her education and training represent an extraordinary accomplishment in the education of persons with these disabilities.
In Blacksburg, VA, on this day in 2007, a student killed 33 people at Virginia Tech before killing himself.
The 23-year-old student gunman Seung-Hui Cho.
In Texas City, TX. on this day in 1947, the French ship Grandcamp, carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer, caught fire and blew up, leaving 576 people dead.
On this day in 1917, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin returned to Russia to start Bolshevik Revolution after years of exile.
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (April 16, 1889 – December 25, 1977)
Comedic silent film icon Charlie Chaplin gained world fame for portraying his character, The Tramp (1915) and starred in The Great Dictator (1940) and Modern Times. He had acareer that lasted over 75 years, and became one of the most important people in film history.
On this day in 1996, Britain’s Prince Andrew and his wife, Sarah, the Duchess of York, announced that they were in the process of getting a divorce.
The Rolling Stones released their debut album on this day in 1964.
Michael Jordan played his last NBA game on this day in 2003.
Michael Jordan, who was on the bench and unlikely to enter the game, was re-inserted into the line-up by Washington Wizards coach Doug Collins with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter after the crowd of 20,000+ chanted Michael’s name.
The Stamp Act was passed on this day in 1765. It was the first direct British tax on the American colonists. It was repealed on March 17, 1766.
On this day in 1987, a barge loaded with 32,000 tons of refuse left Islip, NY, to find a place to unload. After being refused by several states and three countries space was found back in Islip.
On NBC-TV, Tom Brokaw (above) called the barge the“homeless garbage barge” from Islip, N.Y. On CBS-TV, Dan Rather called the Mobro barge “the most-watched load of garbage in the memory of man."
Tara Lipinski, at 14 years and 10 months, became the youngest women’s world figure skating champion on this day in 1997.
Andrew Lloyd Webber (Baron Lloyd-Webber) is 70 today.
Legendary showman and musical theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber is known for "Cats," "The Phantom of the Opera," and "Jesus Christ Superstar." He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was also inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
President George W. Bush announced that U.S. forces had launched a strike against "targets of military opportunity" in Iraq. The attack, using cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs, were aimed at Iraqi leaders thought to be near Baghdad.
On this day in 1987, Televangelist Jim Bakker, shown with wife Tammy Faye, resigned from the PTL due to a scandal involving model Jessica Hahn (below).
Jim Bakker turned 78 January 2.
Jessica Hahn will be 59 July 7.
The state of Nevada legalized gambling on this day in 1931.
Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut studio album on this day in 1962. It was produced by Columbia’s legendary talent scout John H. Hammond, who signed Dylan to the label, the album features folk standards, plus two original compositions, "Talkin’ New York" and "Song to Woody".
Bob Dylan(Robert Allen Zimmerman) will be 77 on May 24.
