On May 25, 1977, Memorial Day weekend opens with an
intergalactic bang as the first of George Lucas’ blockbuster
Star Wars movies hit  American theaters.

The incredible success of Star Wars–it received seven Oscars,
and earned $461 million in U.S. ticket sales and a gross of
close to $800 million worldwide–began with an extensive,
coordinated marketing push by Lucas and his studio, 20th
Century Fox, months before the movie’s release date. “It
wasn’t like a movie opening,” actress Carrie Fisher, who
played rebel leader Princess Leia, later told Time magazine.
“It was like an earthquake.” Beginning with–in Fisher’s words–
“a new order of geeks, enthusiastic young people with sleeping
bags,” the anticipation of a revolutionary movie-watching
experience spread like wildfire, causing long lines in front of
movie theaters across the country and around the world.

Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock)
(November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023)

Tina Turner, known as the Queen of Rock n’ Roll, has died
after a long illness.

The singer, who achieved global fame with a string of soulful
hits including River Deep – Mountain High, The Best and What’s
Love Got To Do With It, triumphed over early adversity and also overcame domestic abuse, to become one of the world’s most
loved singers.

She died at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.

Ike and Tina Turner

1967: Turner was the first black artist and first female on the
cover of Rolling Stone magazine (Issue No. 2).

With flags flying above him, President Arthur leads the
first walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

After 14 years, the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River opened
in 1883, connecting the great cities of New York and Brooklyn
for the first time in history.  

Thousands of residents of Brooklyn and Manhattan Island turned
out to witness the dedication ceremony, which was presided
over by President Chester A. Arthur and New York Governor
Grover Cleveland.

Designed by the late John A. Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge
was the largest suspension bridge ever built to that date.

Chester Alan Arthur (1829 – 1886)

Fireworks and flags marked the opening of the Brooklyn
Bridge.

Sgt. William H. Carney was the first African American to be
awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military
decoration, on this day in history, May 23, 1900, for his
efforts at protecting the American flag during the Civil War. 
History.com.

Born as a slave in February of 1840, William Carney’s father
managed to escape and make his way north via the
Underground Railroad, ultimately earning the funds to
purchase his wife and son’s freedom.

MIKE GRACIA