What Happened On
The Lincoln Memorial Dedicated
May 30, 1922
The memorial to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in Washington D.C. is dedicated by Chief Justice and former U.S. President William Howard Taft who was the president of The Lincoln Memorial Commission. Lincoln's only surviving son, 78-year-old Robert Todd Lincoln, was in attendance. The memorial houses the famous seated statue of Lincoln, created by Daniel Chester French, and inscriptions of two of his well-known speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural address.
The memorial is featured on the backs of U.S. 1¢ coins and $5 bills.
Ray Harroun - First Indy 500 Winner and 1911 poster
Ray Harroun - First Indy 500 Winner and 1911 poster
First Running of the Indianapolis 500
May 30, 1911
Ray Harroun wins the first running of the Indianapolis 500 with an average speed of 74.59 mph, finishing in 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 8 seconds. His strategy was to maintain a steady speed of 75 mph, because through testing he found that tires wore out significantly faster at higher speeds. In those days, changing a tire was a time-consuming process. His strategy worked: He only had to change four tires. The second place winner changed 14 tires and finished only 1 minute 43 seconds behind - a time he would have easily made up with less tire changes.
Future President Kills Man in Duel
May 30, 1806
Future U.S. President Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel. The dispute was over a horse race between Jackson and Dickinson's father-in-law Joseph Erwin. Erwin's horse was unable to race and according to the terms of the bet, Erwin was required to pay a forfeiture of $800. There was a disagreement about the payment that escalated into name calling being published in the local papers. Finally, a duel was called to settle the dispute. Jackson, knowing that Dickinson was an expert marksman, chose to stand still allowing Dickinson the first shot hoping that in his haste he would miss. Jackson, standing sideways, was struck in the chest inches from his heart breaking several ribs. As per dueling rules of the day, Dickinson stood still while Jackson took aim and shot him in the chest. Dickinson bled to death and Jackson carried the bullet in his chest for the rest of his life. This was Jackson's third known duel.
Joan of Arc Burned at the Stake
May 30, 1431
Known as "The Maid of Orléans," Joan of Arc led the French armies against the English during the Hundred Years' War.
She was convicted of cross-dressing and condemned by the Church and burned at the stake. Why cross-dressing? For heresy to be a capital crime, it had to be a repeat offense. Her other charges did not qualify. Joan had worn male clothing and armor during her military campaigns. She agreed to the court to wear feminine clothing; however, when returned to prison she was forced to wear men's clothing for protection against rape and because the guards had taken her clothing. Her cross-dressing now being a repeat offense, qualified her for the death penalty. She was canonized in 1920.
First Blind Woman to Climb Mt. McKinley
May 30, 1993
54-year-old American Joni Phelps - blind since age 30 - reaches the summit. She and her two sons completed the climb in 16 days.
Southfork
May 30, 1992
The Ewing family ranch from the TV show Dallas is sold for $2.6 million to Rex Maughan. Maughan is a real-estate investor and founder of Forever Living Products, a multi-level marketing company that sells aloe-vera based cosmetics and other personal products.
First Successful U.S. Soft Landing of a Manmade Object on the Moon
May 30, 1966
Surveyor I is launched. It would land on the Moon June 2. Part of its mission was to study the lunar soil in preparation for the Apollo missions.
The Soviets had landed Luna 9 four months earlier.
Down You Go
May 30, 1951
The television game show Down You Go debuts on DuMont. It was one of only six shows to appear on all four major TV networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, DuMont). It ran until 1956 and was hosted by Dr. Bergen Evans with four celebrity panelists who tried to guess puzzles sent in by viewers. Only one episode is known to exist. Watch it here.
De Palma and his mechanic pushing their car
De Palma and his mechanic pushing their car
Indianapolis 500
May 30, 1912
During the second running of the Indianapolis 500, Ralph De Palma was leading by five miles with four laps to go when he began having engine trouble. He and his riding mechanic got out and pushed their Mercedes the last five-eighths of a mile to the finish line for an 11th place finish. However, they were disqualified as the cars must move under their own power. He had led for 196 laps. He would come back to win the race in 1915.
Hall of Fame for Great Americans
May 30, 1901
Hall of Fame for Great Americans The Hall of Fame for Great Americans is dedicated, at New York University.
Civil War
May 30, 1870
Texas is readmitted to the Union.
Birthdays
Alexey A. Leonov
Alexey A. Leonov
First Human to Walk in Space
Alexey A. Leonov
Born May 30, 1934 d. 2019
Russian cosmonaut. First human to walk in space. In March 1965, he exited the capsule Voskhod 2 for a 12-minute 9-second spacewalk.
Leonov almost didn't make it back into the spacecraft. During his spacewalk, his spacesuit had inflated in the vacuum of space to the point where he could not fit back through the airlock. He had to open a valve to allow some of his suit's pressure to bleed off and was just barely able to get back in.
While on the mission, Leonov drew a small sketch of an orbital sunrise, producing the first ever work of art made in outer space.
Clint Walker (Norman Eugene Walker)
Born May 30, 1927 d. 2018
American actor. TV: Cheyenne (1955-63, Cheyenne Bodie). He stood 6 feet, 6 inches (1.98 meters) tall with a 48-inch (122 cm) chest and a 32-inch (81 cm) waist. In 1971 he fell from a ski lift and was pierced through the heart with a ski pole. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, but a doctor detected faint signs of life and rushed him into surgery to repair his heart. He was working again two months later.
Christine Jorgensen (George William Jorgensen Jr.)
Born May 30, 1926 d. 1989
American sex change recipient (c1952). She had the surgery in Denmark and was the first widely-known sex change recipient in the United States. On her return to the U.S., the New York Daily News ran a front page story with the headline "Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Bombshell" making her an instant celebrity. Writings: Christine Jorgensen: A Personal Autobiography.
Mel Blanc (Melvin Jerome Blank)
Born May 30, 1908 d. 1989
American cartoon voice. Man of a thousand voices: Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and Barney Rubble to name just a few.
American Caned for Vandalism in Singapore
Michael Peter Fay
Born May 30, 1975
American teenager, vandal. In 1994, he received four lashes with a rattan rod from Singapore authorities for spray painting cars and other vandalism.
The 20th Hijacker
Zacarias Moussaoui
Born May 30, 1968
French Al Qaeda member, "The 20th Hijacker." He was taken into custody by the FBI, several weeks before the 9/11 Attacks in 2001 after his flight school instructor expressed concerns about his motivation for taking lessons. In 2006, he was sentenced to life in prison.
Photo Credit: Michael Dyer
Photo Credit: Michael Dyer
Wynonna Judd (Christina Claire Ciminella)
Born May 30, 1964
American Grammy-winning country singer. She and her mother Naomi Judd formed the duo The Judds. Music: Mama He's Crazy (1984, #1) and Why Not Me (1984, #1).
Ralph Carter
Born May 30, 1961
American actor. TV: Good Times (Michael).
Ted McGinley
Born May 30, 1958
American actor. TV: The Love Boat (Ace the photographer), Married… With Children (Jefferson D'Arcy), and Hope & Faith (Charley Shanowski). Film: Revenge of the Nerds (1984, Stan Gable, Alpha Beta/President of Greek Council).
First Female Jockey and the First Woman to Play Professional Basketball
Penny Ann Early
Born May 30, 1943 d. 2023
American athlete. She was the first female jockey licensed to ride parimutuel horse races (1968) and the first woman to play in a professional basketball league (1968, ABA). After earning her jockey's license male jockeys refused to race with her in an attempt to block her from competing. In response, the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association signed her to their team. She played briefly for one play. At 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) and 112 pounds (50.8 kg), she was also the smallest player in a male dominated professional basketball league.
Note: She is the smallest, but tied for the shortest with Muggsy Bogues of the NBA who was also 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m), but weighed 135 lb (61 kg) making him bigger.
David Ackroyd
Born May 30, 1940
American actor. TV: Another World (1974-77, Dr. Dave Gilchrist) and Dallas (1978, Gary Ewing).
Michael J. Pollard (Michael John Pollack, Jr.)
Born May 30, 1939 d. 2019
American actor. Film: Bonnie and Clyde (1967, C.W. Moss - the duo's dimwitted partner) and Tango & Cash (1989, Owen). Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie (1960, Hugo Peabody).
Keir Dullea
Born May 30, 1936
American actor. Film: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).
Benny Goodman (Benjamin David Goodman)
Born May 30, 1909 d. 1986
American band leader, called "The King of Swing."
Peter Carl Faberge
Born May 30, 1846 d. 1920
Russian goldsmith, jeweler. Creator of the Faberge eggs.
Deaths
Orville piloting, Wilbur on ground.
Orville piloting, Wilbur on ground.
Wilbur Wright
Died May 30, 1912 b. 1867
American aviator. He and his brother Orville Wright are credited with building and flying the first manned heavier-than-air flying machine (1903). However, there is evidence that Gustave Whitehead made a powered, heavier-than-air-flight two years earlier.
François-Marie Voltaire
Died May 30, 1778 b. 1694
French author, philosopher. Quote: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" is attributed to Voltaire.
Quote: "Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities."
Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'Arc)
Died May 30, 1431 b. 1412
French patriot. Known as "The Maid of Orléans," she led the French armies against the English during the Hundred Years' War.
She was convicted of cross-dressing and condemned by the Church and burned at the stake. Why cross-dressing? For heresy to be a capital crime, it had to be a repeat offense. Her other charges did not qualify. Joan had worn male clothing and armor during her military campaigns. She agreed to the court to wear feminine clothing; however, when returned to prison she was forced to wear men's clothing for protection against rape and because the guards had taken her clothing. Her cross-dressing now being a repeat offense, qualified her for the death penalty. She was canonized in 1920.
Claude Rains
Died May 30, 1967 b. 1889
English actor. Film: The Invisible Man (1933, title role) and Casablanca (1942, the police chief).
Boris Leonidovich Pasternak
Died May 30, 1960 b. 1890
Russian author. Writings: Dr. Zhivago (1955). He rejected the 1958 Nobel Prize for literature after his nomination caused criticism from the Communist Party and his expulsion from the Soviet Writers union.
Charles IX
Died May 30, 1574 b. 1550
King of France (1560-74). Responsible for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572) in which thousands of Huguenots were killed.