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The Japanese Era Reiwa begins

After 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne, Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated in 2019, being the first Japanese emperor to do so since 1817. This marked the end of the Heisei era and the inception of the Reiwa era, and will precipitate numerous festivities leading up to the accession of his son and successor, Emperor Naruhito.

Apple reports quarterly earnings

Apple shared its earnings results for the 2nd fiscal quarter – first calendar quarter – of the year. The release provided a look at sales of their new phones, most notably iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. The guidance for the 2nd fiscal quarter includes expected revenue of $60 to $62 billion and gross margin between 38 and 38.5%.

Muthar Kent steps down after nine years as Coca Cola boss

Muthar Kent is the former CEO of The Coca-Cola Company of the Turkish origin. He got to the position of chief executive officer of the company in 2008 and joined the board as a chairman next year. After leading the company for several years, he stepped down and was replaces by President and COO James Quincey.

President Barack Obama announces that Osama Bin Laden was killed

Obama reported that the leader of the terrorist network had been killed by U.S. forces during a raid on his compound hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Due to the time difference between the US and Pakistan, bin Laden was actually killed on May 2.

Pope John Paul II is beatified

Roughly 6 years after his death, Pope John Paul II had been beatified and canonized as a saint. The ceremony was presided over by Pope Benedict XVI. A total of 87 international delegations, including 22 world leaders attended the ceremony. Around a million of Catholics were present at the Saint Peter's Square during the mass.

Chrysler Files to Seek Bankruptcy Protection

Chrysler LLC filed a consolidated petition for chapter 11 bankruptcy alongside its 24 affiliated subsidiaries. They announced an alliance with Fiat, after the failure of the company to agree on a restructuring plan with its creditors. The plan was to reduce the liabilities of the company and emerge in stronger financial shape.

Same-sex marriage is legalized in Sweden

Same-sex marriage in Sweden has been legal since 2009, making Sweden the seventh country in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples nationwide. Existing registered partnerships remain in force and can be converted to a marriage if the parties so desire, either through a written application or through a formal ceremony.

The Mission Accomplished speech

The Mission Accomplished speech was a televised address by United States President George W. Bush on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln The name became central in the controversy that followed. The vast majority of casualties, both military and civilian, occurred after the speech.

Theme park Disney's Hollywood Studios opened in Florida

Formerly going under the name Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, the Hollywood Studios was opened at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake near Orlando, Florida. It was the 3rd of 4 parks at Disney World. The park spanned over 135 acres and is full of attractions that draw inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

RAF attacks the Argentine Air Force during Falklands War

During the 1982 Falklands War, Operations Black Buck 1 to Black Buck 7 were a series of seven extremely long-range ground attack missions by Royal Air Force Vulcan bombers against Argentine positions in the Falkland Islands. The raids were the longest-ranged bombing raids in history at that time.

Amtrak goes into service

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, going under name Amtrak started operating in the US. They provided medium and long distance intercity service. It opened as a quasi-public corporation but they aim to earn profit through their operations. Their headquarters is located in Union Station in Washington DC.

Britain's betting shops are opened for business

A betting shop is a shop away from a racecourse where one can legally place bets in person with a licensed bookmaker such as William Hill, Ladbrokes, or Coral. Off-course betting was illegal until the Betting and Gaming Act was introduced, although bets could be placed at a racecourse in any event, not just the races being held at that course.

U-2 spy pilot Francis Powers is shot down and captured in USSR

During the Cold War, CIA decided to send a spy Gary Powers on a mission to Soviet Union airspace. He was performing a photographic reconnaissance with U-2 spy plane. The aircraft was hit by S-75 Dvina surface-to-air missile and crashed near Yekaterinburg. He was subsequently captured by Soviets after parachuting.

The word LEGO is officially registered in Denmark

Lego is known as a line of plastic construction toys, manufactured by Denmark company, The Lego Group. Lego was invented by Ole Kirk Christiansen. Since he was a carpenter, the original toys were made of wood. The company later started creating plastic ones and soon after, the word LEGO was officially registered in Denmark.

Mr. Potato Head is introduced

Mr. Potato Head is an American toy consisting of a plastic model of a potato which can be decorated with a variety of plastic parts that can attach to the main body. These parts usually include ears, eyes, shoes, a hat, a nose, and a mouth. The toy was invented and developed by George Lerner and first manufactured and distributed by Hasbro.

German Nazi politician Joseph Goebbels commits suicide

Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German Nazi politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda of Nazi Germany. He was one of Adolf Hitler's close associates and most devoted followers and was known for his skills in public speaking and his deep, virulent antisemitism, which was evident in his publicly voiced views.

Germany announces Hitler is dead

With Berlin surrounded and most of his military forces depleted, Hitler had nowhere to run. Refusing to be captured after he was informed of the execution of Mussolini, he committed suicide. German media and newsreaders announced that he had been killed in the Reich Chancery, fighting to the last breath against the enemy.

US President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Neutrality Act

The Neutrality Acts were passed by the United States Congress in the 1930s, in response to the growing turmoil in Europe and Asia that eventually led to World War II. The Neutrality Act of 1937 was passed in May and included the provisions of the earlier acts, this time without an expiration date, and extended them to cover civil wars as well.

FBI's J. Edgar Hoover arrests gangster Alvin 'Creepy' Karpis

Alvin Francis Karpis was a Canadian-born criminal of Lithuanian descent known for being a leader of the Barker–Karpis gang in the 1930s. Karpis led the gang along with Fred Barker and Arthur "Doc" Barker. There were only four "public enemies" ever given the title of "Public Enemy #1" by the FBI and he was the only one to be taken alive.

Canada's first silver dollar is circulated

The Royal Canadian Mint issued the Canadian silver dollar as a way to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George, the 5th. It was designed by Emanuel Hahn and composed of 80% silver. The coin showed the King on the front and a canoe with voyageur on the reverse. This led to it being called Voyageur dollar.

Ford factory workers get five-day, 40-hour week

Henry Ford founded the automobile company with the headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. He introduced a number of methods for large-scale manufacturing of cars, but besides that, he also adopted a 5-day, 40-hour a week policy for his workers. The cut from 6 to 5 days was soon followed by other manufacturers in the country.

Frontierswoman Calamity Jane is born

Calamity Jane was an American frontierswoman and professional scout known for being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok and fighting against Indians. Late in her life, she appeared in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and at the Pan-American Exposition. She is said to have exhibited compassion to others, especially to the sick and needy.

The Philippine peso is introduced into circulation

The Philippine peso derived from the Spanish silver coin, or „Spanish dollar“. It was established when Bank of Philippine Islands introduced notes denominated in „pesos fuertes“. Since then, it had been the official currency of the Philippines. It is usually denoted by the symbol „₱“ or signs PHP, PhP, Php, P$ or just P.

Great Exhibition opens in the Crystal Palace, London

The Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations took place at the Crystal Palace, in London's Hyde Park. It was a temporary structure made of cast-iron and plate-glass. 25 countries participated in the event and it was attended by many famous people of the time. It was organized by Henry Cole and Prince Albert.

The Battle of Crooked Billet

The Battle of Crooked Billet was a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War. In the skirmish action, British forces under the command of Major John Graves Simcoe launched a surprise attack against Brigadier General John Lacey and three regiments of Pennsylvania militia, who were literally caught sleeping.

Adam Weishaupt founds secret society of Illuminati

The Illuminati is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name usually refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded by Adam Weishaupt in 1776. The society's goals were to oppose superstition, obscurantism, religious influence over public life, and abuses of state power.

Acts of Union comes into force

The Acts of Union were two Acts of Parliament: the Union with Scotland Act passed by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed by the Parliament of Scotland. They put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union, following negotiation between commissioners representing the parliaments of the two countries.

The First War of Scottish Independence end

The First War of Scottish Independence was the initial chapter of engagements in a series of warring periods between English and Scottish forces lasting from the invasion by England until the restoration of Scottish independence with the Treaty of Edinburgh.

Anniversaries of the (in)famous