We take a look at some of the events that occurred on May 18th.

Today In …

1804 - France’s Senate proclaimed Napoleon Bonaparte Emperor.

1863 - The Siege of Vicksburg began as part of the Civil War.

1896 - The U.S. Supreme court ruled in the case of Plessy Vs. Ferguson.

1927 - Grauman’s Chinese Theater opened. This is the infamous site of a number of hand/foot prints of some of the era’s top celebrities.

1980 Mount St. Helens erupted. 57 people were killed in the blast.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Frank Bellamy the author of the “Pledge of Allegiance” was born in 1855.

Joe Bonsall of country music’s Oak Ridge Boys was born in 1948.

Frank Capra the man behind the camera of such films as “It Happened One Night”, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Arsenic and Old Lace” was born in 1897.

Perry Como the singer/entertainer known for the hit songs “Magic Moments” and “Catch a Falling Star” was born in 1912.

Tina Fey the comedian/actress/writer of TV’s “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” was well as the movie “Mean Girls” was born in 1970.

Dame Margot Fonteyn the popular ballerina was born in 1919.

Dwayne Hickman who starred on TV’s “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” was born in 1934.

Reggie Jackson the legendary baseball player was born in 1946.

Jeanie MacPherson the renowned actress and screenwriter was born in 1887.

Bill Macy who starred on TV’s “Maude” and in the movie “Oh! Calcutta!” was born in 1922.

Martika the actress/singer who had a hit song with “Toy Soldiers” was born in 1969.

Robert Morse who starred on TV’s “City of Angels” and “All My Children” was born in 1931.

Mark Mothersbaugh of the musical group Devo was born in 1950.

Pope John Paul II the 264th Roman Catholic Pope was born in 1920.

Pernell Roberts who starred on TV’s “Bonanza” and later on “Trapper John M.D.” was born in 1928.

George Strait the country singer with a number of hits including “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property” was born in 1952.

Meredith Willson the composer of such notable tunes as “The Music Man” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” was born in 1902.

Vince Young the NFL Quarterback was born in 1983.

Chow Yun-Fat the star of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” was born in 1955.

We Said Goodbye To…

Daws Butler who is best remembered as the voices of such animated favorites as Captain Crunch, Huckleberry Hound, Elroy Jetson, Snagglepuss and Yogi Bear, passed away in 1988 at the age of 71.

Elizabeth Montgomery the star of TV’s “Bewitched” passed away in 1995 at the age of 62.

Davey Smith best known to wrestling fans as The British Bulldog passed away in 2002 at the age of 39.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1959 - “Kansas City” by Wilbert Harrison
1959 - On The Country Charts – “The Battle Of New Orleans” by Johnny Horton
1963 - “If You Wanna Be Happy” by Jimmy Soul
1968 - “Lighten Up” by Archie Bell & The Drells
1974 - “The Streak” by Ray Stevens
1974 - On The Country Charts – “Country Bumpkin” by Cal Smith
1985 - “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds
1985 - On The Country Charts – “Step That Step” by Sawyer Brown
1991 - “I Like The Way (Kissing Game” by Hi-Five
1996 - “The Crossroads” by Bone Thugs N Harmony
1996 - On The Country Charts – “My Maria” by Brooks & Dunn

In Print In…

1897 - Bram Stocker’s “Dracula” was first published.

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