1595 Nomenclator of Leiden University Library appears, the first printed catalog of an institutional library
1738 John Wesley is converted, launching the Methodist movement; celebrated annually by Methodists as Aldersgate Day
1844 Samuel Morse taps out “What hath God wrought” in the world’s first telegraph message
1883 Brooklyn Bridge opened by President Chester A. Arthur and NY Governor Grover Cleveland
1941 German battleship Bismarck sinks the British battle cruiser HMS Hood; 1,416 die, 3 survive
Historical Events Today Events in 2023
Today in Film & TV
1895 Henry Irving becomes the first actor to receive a knighthood
Today in Music
1956 1st Eurovision Song Contest: Lys Assia for Switzerland wins singing “Refrain” in Lugano
Today in Sport
1935 1st major league night baseball game, in Cincinnati (Reds 2, Philadelphia 1)
1978 American management consultant Marilyn Loden first coins the term “glass ceiling” to describe invisible career barriers for women
1976 In the Judgment of Paris, wine testers rate wines from California higher than their French counterparts, challenging the notion of France being the foremost producer of the world’s best wines
Famous Weddings
1917 Writer Walter Lippmann (27) weds Faye Albertson
1935 Swedish princess Ingrid marries Danish crown prince Frederik (IX)
1986 American country singer Garth Brooks (24) weds songwriter Sandy Mahl; divorce in 2001
London’s present Westminster Bridge was opened on this day, bringing to an end years of conflict which even involved the payment of a big bribe to the King – May 24, 1862