AP Today in History
May 31 is the 151th day of the year (152nd on a leap year) on the Gregorian calendar.http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gregorian1.html The Zodiac sign for individuals born on this day is Gemini. http://www.findyourfate.com/astrology/Gemini.htm
1970's
- 1970: A ladslide caused by the Ancash earthquake, buries the town of Yungay, Peru, killing nearly 50,000 people.
- 1971: Memorial Day is celebrated on the last day of May for the first time.
1960's
- 1961: The Republic of South Africa was founded.
1940's
- 1943: The Zoot Suit Riots began.
1930's
1931: A 7.1 magnitude Earthquake destroyed Quetta in Pakistan. The earthquake killed 40,000.
1920's
- 1927: The last Ford Model T was manufactured.
1800's
- 1859: The clock tower housing Big Ben starts keeping time.
- 1889: More than 2,200 people die after a dam breaks and causes a massive flood in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
1700's
1790: The U.S. enacts the Copyright Act of 1790.
Holidays and Observances
- Brunei - Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day
- World No Tobacco Day
- United States - Memorial Day
Famous Birthdays
- 1819 - Walt Whitman, American poet
- 1943 - Joe Namath, Athlete
- 1960 - Chris Elliott, Comedian
- 1965 - Brooke Shields, Actress and supermodel
- 1984 - Nate Robinson, Athlete
Famous Deaths
- 2000 – Tito Puente, American musician
- 2000 – Johnnie Taylor, American singer
Music Chart Toppers
- 2009: Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
- 2008: Lil Wayne featuring Static Major - Lollipop
- 2007: Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder
- 2006: Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone - Ridin'
- 2005: Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
- 2004: Usher - Burn
- 2003: 50 Cent - 21 Questions
- 2002: Ashanti - Foolish
- 2001: Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink - Lady Marmalade
- 2000: Santana featuring The Product G&B - Maria Mariahttp://www.joshhosler.biz/numberOneInHistory/05/0530.htm