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Scroll down for events & birthdays that happened on this date and a list of celebrities who died recently.
May 23 On This Date
1997 The Postal Service began selling the BUGS BUNNY stamp. (265 million were sold within weeks, another 100 million were printed)
1996 1st Coke machine repair in space. Endeavour astronauts spent 2 hours fixing a $1.5 million dispenser that was too “fizzy”. (The unit was being used to study the mixing of liquids and gas in space)
1996 JEFF VINIK resigned as manager of Fidelity’s Magellan Fund, and was replaced by Robert Stansky. (Vinik’s annualized return: 17.33%)
1996 SECURITY FIRST INTERNET BANK went public at $20/share, and closed the day at $41. (1st Internet bank in the United States)
1996 FRANK GIFFORD gave a dozen sweatshop workers in New York cash-filled envelopes twords back pay for work on Kathie Lee’s line of clothing. Walmart officials said they would reimburse the Giffords.
1995 The remains of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City were demolished.
1995 LED ZEPPELIN guitarist JIMMY PAGE was arrested after smoking in the lavatory of a flight from San Francisco to Portland, OR.
1991 Baseball’s first black manager Frank Robinson was fired in Baltimore.
1991 TOMMY GREENE (Phillies) no-hit the Montreal Expos 2-0 in Philadelphia.
1985 It was “ARETHA FRANKLIN APPRECIATION DAY” in Michigan.
1950 Film “ANNIE GET YOUR GUN” premiered.
1934 BONNIE & CLYDE were ambushed and gunned down by police in Louisiana. Bonnie recieved 50 wounds, Clyde was hit 27 times.
1922 WALT DISNEY incorporated his first film company Laugh-O-Gram Films.
1903 First transcontinental automobile trip began in San Francisco. Ended in New York on April 1, 1904.
1899 1st auto repair shop opened. (Boston)
Born on This Date May 23
1963 Canadian actor, comedian, writer, producer and filmmaker MIKE MYERS He got hired for Second City the day he graduated from high school. He’s appeared on 120 episodes of “SNL.” He’s known for creating memorable characters like Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, and Shrek.
1954 Marvelous MARVIN HAGLER Pro boxer from 1973-1987. Middleweight champ 1980-1987. He was annoyed that TV announcers would often not refer to him as “Marvelous”, Hagler legally changed his name to “Marvelous Marvin Hagler” in 1982.
1951 Soviet chess grandmaster ANATOLY KARPOV Has won more than 160 tournaments. He was the 12th World Chess Champion from 1975 to 1985.
1946 Australian golfer DAVID GRAHAM Joined the PGA Tour in 1972. Won U.S. OPEN (1981)
1943 Australian tennis player JOHN NEWCOMB He was ranked #1 in the world in both men’s singles and men’s doubles. Newcombe won a combined 26 major titles.
1934 Inventor ROBERT MOOG Invented the Moog synthesizer.
1933 Actress JOAN COLLINS TV: Alexis on “DYNASTY”. Film: “LAND OF THE PHARAOHS” (1955), “TALES FROM THE CRYPT” (1972), “EMPIRE OF THE ANTS” (1977)
1928 Singer ROSEMARY CLOONEY Best-known for “”Come On-a My House”” (1951) and “”Mambo Italiano”” (1954). She is George Clooney’s aunt.
1910 American clarinetist ARTIE SHAW His biggest hits, according to Spotify are “Begin the Beguine,” “Moonglow” and Frenesi.” Artie was also a bandleader, composer, actor and author of both fiction and non-fiction.
1883 Actor DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS Sr. Best-known as the first actor to play Zorro. “The Mark of Zorro” (1920) He was one of the biggest stars of the silent era. “The Three Muskateers” (1921), “The Taming of the Shrew” (1929)
May 24 Historic Events
1995 Oakland A’s reliever DENNIS ECKERSLEY became the 6th player in history to reach 300 career saves. (Athletics 5 Orioles 3)
1995 JOEY BUTTAFUOCO was arrested for soliciting a police undercover officer in Los Angeles.
1995 Hollywood Madam HEIDI FLEISS was sentenced to 3 years in prison for her conviction on pandering charges.
1995 SANTA CLAUS filed for bankruptcy in Des Moines, IA. (Terry Randolph had legally changed his name in 1994)
1995 The bust of former vice president SPIRO AGNEW was unveiled in the US Capitol.
1995 Two White House aides used a presidential helicopter for a 55-mile trip to a golf outing at Holly Hills Country Club. (The $13,000 tab was eventually reimbursed)
1988 CBS wins the U.S. rights to the 1992 Winter Olympics.
1988 A power failure in the 2nd period at Boston Garden interrupted game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals with the Bruins/Oilers score tied at 3-3.
1986 STANLEY CUP: Montreal Canadiens beat Calgary 4-3 in the 5th game. (The Canadiens’ 23rd title is the most in major league team sports. NY Yankees 22 titles)
1981 INDIANAPOLIS 500: MARIO ANDRETTI was declared the winner after Bobby Unser was penalized by race officials near the end of the race. (The decision was reversed 10/8/81, and Unser was declared winner)
1980 STANLEY CUP: NY Islanders won their 1st Stanley Cup with a 5-4 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. (Game 6)
1964 The BEATLES appeared on “THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW” for the 3rd time.
1959 1st house with built-in bomb shelter opened in Pleasant Hills, PA.
1935 1st major league night game: Reds 2 Phillies 1 before 20,422 fans. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt switched on the lights. (Crosley Field in Cincinnati)
1931 1st air-conditioned train went into service. (on the B&O railroad)
1886 The HAYMARKET bombing and riots in Chicago leave 11 dead and dozens injured.
1883 The Brooklyn Bridge opened.
1844 The first intercity telegraph message was sent from Washington to Baltimore: “What hath God wrought.”
Celebrity Birthdays May 24
1963 NBA guard & executive JOE DUMARS Played his entire 14-year career with the Detroit Pistons. Now an executive with the New Orleans Pelicans. Hall of Fame (2006)
1962 Puerto Rican pro boxer HECTOR “MACHO” CAMACHO Competed professionally 1980 to 2010. Record 79 wins and 6 losses. World champion in three different weight classes. Died of a gunshot wound.
1955 Singer/songwriter ROSANNE CASH “Tennessee Flat Top Box” (1987), “Seven Year Ache” (1981) She had 11 #1 country hits. Eldest daughter of Johnny Cash.
1945 Actress and businesswoman PRISCILLA PRESLEY Married to Elvis Presley (1967-1973) Appeared in “Dallas” and the “Naked Gun” films.
1944 Actress and singer PATTI LABELLE Sometimes called the “Godmother of Soul,” Patti has sold more than 50 million records around the world. “NEW ATTITUDE” (1984)
1943 Actor GARY BURGHOFF Col. Walter ‘Radar” O’Reilly on MAS*H( (1972-1979, 180 episodes) Trivia: Holds several patents on fishing lures.
1941 Singer/songwriter BOB DYLAN “BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND”. Renamed himself after poet Dylan Thomas.
1938 Comedian TOMMY CHONG Half of the CHEECH & CHONG comedy team.
1933 Former Chicago mayor JANE BYRNE 50th Mayor of Chicago (1979-1983)
1819 Her Royal Highness QUEEN VICTORIA Longest reigning monarch, ascending to the throne at age 18. Known for prudishness despite having 9 children.
Celebrity Deaths This Month
Recent Celebrity Obituaries
5/20/2025 Actor George Wendt died at his home Played Norm Peterson on the sitcom “Cheers.” (11 seasons from 1982 to 1993.) Wendt is also the uncle to “SNL” and “Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis.
5/19/2025 “90 Day Fiancé” star Ben Rathbun died of stomach cancer at just 55. He appeared on Season 5 of the show. The former pastor married Mahogany Roca and they moved to Peru. He apparently had some recent legal problems related to child support and embezzlement from a non-profit.
5/17/2025 “My 600-lb Life” star Latonya Pottain died in Louisiana at age 40. The cause of death was listed as chronic congestive heart failure. Latonya sppeared on Season 11 of the reality series and weighed 531 pounds. She had recently got her weight down from 740 to 705 pounds. She was bedridden since June of 2024.
5/16/2025 Singer-songwriter Tony Haselden died, age 79. The lead guitarist and vocalist for LeRoux, who had several hits, including “Nobody Said It Was Easy (Lookin’ for the Lights). LeRoux was the opening act for some big acts: The Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels, The Doobie Brothers, Heart, Kansas and ZZ Top, among others.
5/7/2025 Character actor Joe Don Baker died at 89. His first movie, Junior Bonner,” but he quickly gained his tough guy noteriety as Sheriff Buford Pusser in “Walking Tall” (1973). His villain Brad Whitaker in “The Living Daylights” (1987) could arguably said to be James Bond’s first Bond villain. He played two good ol’ boy roles in Bond films, “GoldenEye” and “Tomorrow Never Dies” both starring Pierce Brosnan as Bond.
5/11/2025 Writer & director Robert Benton died at 92. Directed “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) Co-creator of “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967) and “Places in the Heart.” (1984) Won two Academy Awards for writing and directing “Kramer vs. Kramer.” (Born 9/29/1932 in Waxahachie, TX)
5/9/2025 Chart-topping country singer Johnny Rodriguez died at 73. The first major Mexican-American country star was known for “I Just Can’t Get Her Out of My Mind,” “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.” He won the most-promising male vocalist award at the Academy of Country Music Awards. (1972) Inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame (2007) (Born Juan Raoul Davis “Johnny” Rodriguez 12/10/1951 in Sabinal, TX)
5/6/2025 Dancer and Hollywood Labor Advocate Lainie Miller died at her home in Toluca Lake, CA at age 84. She portrayed the burlesque dancer in “The Graduate.” She was also a script supervisor and producer. (Born 3/7/1941)
5/3/2025 Steve Pepoon, an Emmy Award winning writer for “The Simpsons” died.at 68. He had been getting treatment for a heart condition. Other credits include “ALF” “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” “Get A Life” “Ferris Bueller” (3 episodes 1990) and “Roseanne.” (1994) (Born 5/19/1956 in Kansas City, MO)
5/11/2025 Pro wrestler Sabu died 4 weeks after his retirement match April 18 at age 60. The former ECW World Heavyweight Champion was known for his style of ‘hardcore’ wrestling starred in the 1990s and early 2000s. (Born Terry Michael Brunk 12/12/1964)
5/11/2025 John Edwards, lead singer of the Spinners, died at age 80. Lead singer on “Working My Way Back to You” and “Cupid.”
3/5/2025 (Reported 5/10) Actress Denise Alexander died at 85. Best-known for her role as Lesley Webber on “GENERAL HOSPITAL.”
5/2/2025 Legendary animator Jim Smith died from a heart attack at age 70. The storyboard and layout artist might be best-known for creating “The Ren & Stimpy Show” in 1991. Other credits include “Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures” and “”Batman: The Animated Series” (1982) and “The Looney Tunes Show.” As a musician, he played guitar on the Ren & Stimpy intro.
5/2/2025 Former Illinois governor George Ryan died in hospice at age 91. The Republican was the 39th governor of the state and served 5+ years in prison for corruption. 4 out of the last 10 governors of the state have gone to prison. His most high-profile act as governor was to place a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois.
Come back daily to find out what happened on this date in history, including which celebrities were born on this date and who recently died! #BOTD
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