Fact 1: The Birthday of Several Famous Personalities
May 14 is a day to celebrate for many reasons, and one of them is the birthday of many famous personalities across various fields. This includes names like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, famed movie director George Lucas, and legendary painter Thomas Gainsborough.
Fact 2: The Founding of Jamestown
On May 14, 1607, Jamestown, Virginia, was officially established. This was the first successfully established English colony in the New World, paving the way for further colonization of the continent.
Fact 3: Lewis and Clark's Expedition
On May 14, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark started their expedition to explore the western portion of the United States. The journey marked a significant milestone in American history, playing a crucial part in the westward expansion of the United States.
Fact 4: Major League Baseball Firsts
Two significant 'firsts' in Major League Baseball happened on May 14. In 1913, Washington Senator's Walter Johnson ended his scoreless streak, having thrown 56 consecutive scoreless innings. Then in 1967, Mickey Mantle hit his 500th career home run.
Fact 5: The Birth of Modern Philanthropy
On May 14, 1914, the Rockefeller Foundation was officially established with a $100 million gift from John D. Rockefeller. This marked the formal beginning of structured, large-scale philanthropy, changing how the wealthy interact with society.
Fact 6: Israel's Establishment
May 14, 1948, holds significant importance in world history as this day marks the establishment of the state of Israel. This followed the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and resulted in widespread celebration among Jewish communities worldwide.
Fact 7: The Day of the Skylab
This date in 1973 was a significant day for NASA since it launched its first space station, Skylab, on May 14. Skylab orbited the Earth over 2,000 times before reentering the Earth's atmosphere and disintegrating in 1979.
Fact 8: International Dylan Thomas Prize
If you are a literature enthusiast, you might be interested to know that the International Dylan Thomas Prize is awarded on May 14 every year. It is a prestigious honor given to the best published literary work in English who is also aged 39 or under.
Fact 9: Oklahoma City's Birthday
May 14, 1889, marks the date when Oklahoma City was formally incorporated, becoming one of the fundamental landmark cities of the United States.
Fact 10: The End of Portuguese Monarchy
The Portuguese monarchy was formally abolished on May 14, 1910. This led to the establishment of the First Portuguese Republic and a key change in the country's government structure.
Fact 11: Celebrating the National Dance Like a Chicken Day
May 14 is not just about serious historical events—it is also the day to celebrate National Dance Like a Chicken Day in the U.S. A testament to the fun and quirky side the date holds.
Fact 12: Oskaloosa's Unique Law
In law history, on May 14, 1888, the city council of Oskaloosa, Kansas, passed an edict requiring all women, regardless of age or marital status, to obtain a permit before purchasing or wearing corsets—making it a unique day for fashion laws.
Fact 13: Birth of the Eurovision Song Contest
The very first Eurovision Song Contest took place on May 14, 1956, marking the birth of one of the world's longest-running television shows and one of the most-watched non-sporting events globally.
Fact 14: British Royal Wedding
On May 14, 1960, Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, married Anthony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey. This was the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television attracting more than 300 million viewers worldwide.
Fact 15: Establishment of McDonald's Corporation
On May 14, 1940, the original McDonald's restaurant was established by Richard and Maurice McDonald, marking a milestone in the history of the fast-food industry.
Fact 16: Birth of the Botswana Flag
The national flag of Botswana was officially adopted on May 14, 1966. The flag, composed of a blue field cut horizontally in the centre by a black stripe with a thin white frame, represents unity and prosperity.
Fact 17: End of Operation Ten-Go
May 14, 1945, marked the end of Operation Ten-Go, the last major Japanese naval operation during World War II.
Fact 18: Advent of the Oldest University in Germany
Heidelberg University, the oldest university in Germany, was officially established on May 14, 1386.
Fact 19: May 14th in Movie Releases
Several popular films have been released on May 14, including Angelina Jolie's "Wanted" in 2008 and "American Pie 2" in 2001, marking important events in entertainment history.
Fact 20: Folding Paper Cranes for Peace
Each year on May 14, people in Japan celebrate "Harmony for Human Rights" by folding paper cranes—a poignant message for peace, symbolising unity and solidarity.