On May 12, 1972, Mexican-American labor organizer and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez begins a hunger strike. The strike, which he undertook in opposition to an Arizona law severely restricting farm workers’ ability to organize, lasted 24 days and drew national attention to the …read more
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history… may 12
1588 – King Henry III fled Paris after Henry of Guise triumphantly entered the city.
1780 – Charleston, South Carolina fell to British forces.
1847 – William Clayton invented the odometer.
1870 – Manitoba entered the Confederation as a Canadian province.
1881 – Tunisia, in North Africa became a French protectorate.
1885 – In the Battle of Batoche, French Canadians rebelled against the Canadian government.
1888 – Charles Sherrill of the Yale track team became the first runner to use the crouching start for a fast break in a foot race.
1926 – The airship Norge became the first vessel to fly over the North Pole.
1926 – In Britain, a general strike by trade unions ended. The strike began on May 3, 1926.
1937 – Britain’s King George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
1940 – The Nazi conquest of France began with the German army crossing Muese River.
1942 – The Soviet Army launched its first major offensive of World War II and took Kharkov in the eastern Ukraine from the German army.
1943 – The Axis forces in North Africa surrendered during World War II.
1949 – The Soviet Union announced an end to the Berlin Blockade.
1950 – The American Bowling Congress abolished its white males-only membership restriction after 34 years.
1957 – A.J. Foyt won his first auto racing victory in Kansas City, MO.
1965 – West Germany and Israel exchanged letters establishing diplomatic relations.
1970 – Ernie Banks, of the Chicago Cubs, hit his 500th home run.
1975 – U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez was seized by Cambodian forces in international waters.
1978 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that they would no longer exclusively name hurricanes after women.
1982 – South Africa unveiled a plan that would give voting rights to citizens of Asian and mixed-race descent, but not to blacks.
1984 – South African prisoner Nelson Mandela saw his wife for the first time in 22 years.
1999 – Russian President Boris Yeltsin dismissed Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and named Interior Minister Sergei Stepashin as his successor.
2002 – Former U.S. President Carter arrived in Cuba for a visit with Fidel Castro. It was the first time a U.S. head of state, in or out of office, had gone to the island since Castro’s 1959 revolution.
2003 – In Texas, fifty-nine Democratic lawmakers went into hiding over a dispute with Republican’s over a congressional redistricting plan.
2008 – In the U.S., the price for a one-ounce First-Class stamp increased from 41 to 42 cents.
2015 – It was announced that Verizon would be acquiring AOL.
Source: on-this-day.com
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Logan Act … why it was created
Logan Act
Dr. George Logan of Pennsylvania attempted to normalize relations with France. He entered into negotiations with France, without authorization, in the hopes of resuming normal relations. In 1799, Congress passed legislation outlawing such contacts between foreign governments and private individuals. The law remains in the books to this day.
In early 1807, a British squadron was stationed off the coast of Virginia. They were there primarily to intercept French frigates, which had taken refuge in Annapolis, Maryland. From time to time, the British vessels made use of American port facilities. British sailors were constantly deserting their ships. This became a major irritant to the British. Three deserters were said to have enlisted on the American naval frigate “Chesapeake.” The British protested, and the Secretary of Navy ordered an inquiry. This inquiry confirmed that three deserters from the “Melampus” had indeed enlisted on the “Chesapeake,” but it was determined that the sailors were Americans who had been illegally impressed. This was transmitted to the British, and the matter seemed to be at an end.
Nevertheless, the British commander in charge of the North Atlantic issued an order to search the “Chesapeake” for deserters, if the ship were encountered at sea. The “Chesapeake” was commanded by Captain Charles Gordon, and had Commodore Barron on board. On June 22, the ship departed from Hampton Roads, headed for the Mediterranean Sea. At 3:30 p.m., the British frigate the “Leopard” came down before the wind. The crew hailed the “Chesapeake,” stating that it had dispatches for the Commodore Barron. Barron replied “We will heave to and you can send your boat on board of us.” At 3:45 p.m., the “Leopard’s” Lieutenant Meade arrived with the following note demanding that the British deserters be turned over.
Since the deserters from the Melampus were not on the list submitted, Captain Gordon believed that his assurance would suffice, and sent back a stern reply to the British.
After the British officer had departed, Barron showed the notes to his other officers. While he felt that the matters was closed, he realized that some show of strength was appropriate. Therefore, Barron ordered Gordon to clear the gun deck. Unfortunately, it took 30 minutes to prepare the “Chesapeake” for battle, and the British officer returned to the ship only five minutes later. Barron was hailed. Trying to obtain more time for his crew, Barron replied that he did not understand. The “Leopard” then fired two shots across the “Chesapeake’s” bow, followed by whole broadside at nearly point blank range. The “Leopard then poured two more broadsides into the “Chesapeake,” while it was still unready to respond. Commodore Barron then ordered the flag to be struck. Several British officers then came aboard and seized the three Americans deserters from the Melampus. They also found a true British deserter, named Jenkin Ratford, who was serving under an assumed name. Ratford was later hung.
The attack on the “Chesapeake” stirred America into a war fervor. If anyone but Jefferson had been President, this incident would probably have been enough to begin a war.
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1994 – Nelson Mandela was chosen to be South Africa’s first black president.
What is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? When it started, significance in US
Cincinnati Enquirer
May is AAPI month, also known as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month or Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAPI month is observed to celebrate the roles, achievements and contributions of those of AAPI heritage, history, and culture in the United States.
This month aims to pay tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enhanced America’s history and to recognize the importance of AAPI peoples’ presence in its future success, according to the Asian/Pacific Heritage Month website.
When is AAPI month celebrated?
The observance of AAPI month began in 1979 through Congressional action. It was initially observed for a week in May, until 1992, when it expanded to the entire month.Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
AAPI Month begins May 1 and continues throughout May each year.
Why was May chosen as AAPI month?
May was designated as AAPI Month to honor the first Japanese immigrants to the United States, who arrived on May 7, 1843, per the Asian/Pacific Heritage Month website.
Source: cincinnati.com
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