Calendar of Ideas

Photo by Daniel Nicoletta
Harvey Milk as Mayor for a Day
March 7, 1978
When Harvey was acting mayor for one of the days that Mayor George Moscone had to be out of town, it was like the marx brothers in the mayors office.. when I can in to photograph harvey that day i was greeted by harvey with an option of recieving any commission my heart desired, and in the background Jim Rivaldo some other friends Harvey’s were having fun playing with the mayors paper shredding machine which was built into his huge wooden desk.

Day celebrating the life story, message and legacy of civil rights leader Harvey Milk (1930 78). Annually, May 22.

Image by Daniel Nicoletta, CC 3.0

On 22 May 1967, Presbyterian minister Fred Rogers began hosting this long-running PBS children’s program. Puppets and human characters interacted in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Rogers voiced many of the puppets and educated young viewers on a variety of important subjects. The last episodes of the program were made in 2001. Almost 1,000 episodes were produced over the shows history. Rogers died in 2003.

Image: Fair Use, Wikimedia Commons

May 22 28. History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes and rip currents. The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely watches and warnings, but it is essential that everyone be ready before a storm approaches. Furthermore, mariners should be aware of special safety precautions when confronted with a hurricane. Preparedness guide available at the website.

Image courtesy of PIxabay.com

National Maritime Day celebrates all things nautical. The anniversary of the first transatlantic steamship crossing with departure on May 22, 1819 from Savannah, Georgia to Liverpool, England.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, NARA Commons License

May 22. African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation and Museum, Washington, DC. On May 22, 1863, Congress established the Bureau of United States Colored Troops with the express purpose of providing uniforms and training to and deploying soldiers of African descent. By the end of the Civil War the United States Colored Troops (USCT) had more than200,000 soldiers of African descent, but also employed Native Americans, Hawaiians, Latinos and Anglos. While most of the USCT officers were white, there were more than 120 African-American officers and some of Latino descent. Each year the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation and Museum commemorates the founding of the Bureau of United States Colored Troops with public and educational programming.

Image: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

On 23 May 1934, the two-year crime spree of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, bank robbers accused of at least 12 murders, came to an end when a law enforcement posse led by Frank Hamer opened fire on the couple in an ambush at Gibsland, Louisiana. The couple had operated in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana and other states, and had sent ballads to local newspapers chronicling their exploits, making them two of the most notorious and romanticized of many Depression-era gangsters. Some 20,000 people lined up to see the body of Clyde Barrow put on display in a mortuary in downtown Dallas, Texas.

Image: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

May 24, 1883. Nearly 14 years in construction, the $16 million Brooklyn Bridge over the East River opened. Designed by John A. Roebling, the steel suspension bridge has a span of 1,595 feet.

Image: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Celebration of brotherhood for biological brothers, fraternity brothers and brothers bonded by union affiliation or lifetime experiences.

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

The first game under lights” was played in Cincinnati

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

May 24, 1844. The first US telegraph line was formally opened between Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, DC. Samuel F.B. Morse sent the first officially telegraphed words What hath God wrought? from the Capitol building to Baltimore. Earlier messages had been sent along the historic line during testing, and one, sent May 1 from a meeting in Baltimore, contained the news that Henry Clay had been nominated as president by the Whig Party. This message reached Washington one hour prior to a train carrying the same news.

Image: Public domain, wikimedia commons

International Tiara Day is a day for all women to embrace and celebrate their powers of leadership.

25 May 1787. At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delegates from seven states, forming a quorum, opened the Constitutional Convention, which had been proposed by the Annapolis Convention Sept 11 14, 1786. Among those who were in attendance: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Elbridge Gerry.

Image: Public domain

National Missing Children’s Day was created to promote awareness of the problem of missing children, to offer a forum for change and to offer safety information for children in school and the community. Annually, May 25.

To celebrate this unique American art form that represents a fusion of African and European cultures and to transmit tap to succeeding generations through documentation and archival and performance support. Held on the anniversary of the birth of Bill Bojangles Robinson to honor his outstanding contribution to the art of tap dancing on stage and in films through the unification of diverse stylistic and racial elements.

Image: Public domain, wikimedia commons

In honor of Douglas Adams, the author of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, carry a towel on this day and make sure that it is conspicuous. Wrap it around your head, use it as a weapon or sleep on it beneath the stars.

May 10 – Ascension Day is observed by Christians throughout the world celebrating Jesus’s ascent into heaven after his death on the cross. In some countries it is a public holiday, normally celebrated on the fortieth day of Easter.

Image: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

May 26, 1940. The British Expeditionary Force had become trapped by advancing German armies near this port on the northern coast of France. On this date the evacuation of 200,000 British and 140,000 French and Belgian soldiers began. Sailing on every kind of transport available, including fishing boats and recreational craft, these men were safely brought across the English Channel by June 2.

Image: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

World Lindy Hop Day welcomes people from all walks of life, of all ages and from around the world to experience this exuberant African-American social dance. Originating at the Savoy Ballroom at Harlem, New York City, in the 1920s and 1930s, the Lindy hop (aka swing dancing or jitterbug) is usually danced to the big band jazz of the era. Lindy hop features creative and exhilarating movements that allow partners to connect in a way that uplifts the spirit, promotes human connection and develops generosity. It allows dancers to meet in a positive environment that supports the building of bridges on personal, community and global levels. Annually, May26 the birth anniversary of Frankie Manning (1914 2009), one of the most important ambassadors and innovators of the Lindy hop.

Image: Elvert Barnes, CC 2.0 via Flickr

American social reformer and women’s rights advocate, born 27 May 1818 at Homer, NY. Her name is remembered especially because of her work for more sensible dress for women and her recommendation of a costume that had been introduced about 1849 by Elizabeth Smith Miller, but came to be known as the Bloomer Costume or bloomers. Amelia Bloomer died at Council Bluffs, IA, 30 December 1894.

May 27, 1930. Richard Gurley Drew received a patent for his adhesive tape, later manufactured by 3M as Scotch tape.