A Brief History On May 18, 1896, the Supreme Court of the US ruled that “separate but equal” was a legal doctrine for segregating Caucasian Americans from Americans of sub-Saharan African descent, especially regarding school children. The case known as Plessy v. Ferguson is frequently referred to as the most egregious error in judgement ever made by the Supreme Court. Oddly enough, the case has never been overturned, except regarding the classroom. Digging Deeper Some other cases that have attracted the ire of Supreme Court critics include Dred Scott v. Sandford of 1857 claiming that American citizenship did not extend…
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A Brief History This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on May 17th. For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On May 17, 1536, King Henry VIII of England had his marriage to Anne Boleyn annulled, although she had borne him the future Queen Elizabeth I. On May 17, 1875, in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people, a field of 15 three-year-old horses contested the first Kentucky Derby. On May 17, 1943, the famous 617 Squadron of the RAF conducted…
A Brief History On May 17, 1995, San Diego, California was the scene of one of the oddest and perhaps the scariest police chase of a stolen vehicle in the annals of motor vehicle theft. Shawn Timothy Nelson, a 35 year old US Army veteran stole a National Guard M-60A3 tank, a 63 ton metal monster boasting a 105mm main gun, two machine guns, a 750 horsepower engine, and as much as 10 inch thick armor. Digging Deeper Nelson’s time in the Army was marred by his “‘multifaceted’ disciplinary problems” which resulted in his discharge. He became a plumber but…
A Brief History This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on May 16th. For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On May 16, 218, Elagabalus was proclaimed the true emperor of Rome by his mother and grandmother. On May 16, 1770, the 14 year old Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna of the House Habsburg-Lorraine married Louis-Auguste, Dauphin (heir to the throne) of France, House of Bourbon. On May 16, 1770, the 14 year old Marie Antoinette, future Queen of France, married 15 year…
A Brief History On May 16, 2023, Americans celebrate National Barbecue Day, something that means different things in different parts of the country. Digging Deeper In Kansas City, barbecue is beef or pork, or even chicken, that is slow roasted with a sauce of tomato and molasses base. Memphis barbecue is normally a dry rub that is cooked long and low, with a smoky finish. Texas barbecue is usually beef slow cooked in a smoker, with a dry rub for seasoning leaving a smoky taste. Carolina barbecue uses pork basted with a vinegar and ketchup type sauce, and slow cooked…