We take a look at some of the events that occurred on May 5th.

Today In …

1260 - Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, became ruler of the Mongols.

1809 - The first U.S. patent awarded to a woman was given to Mary Kies for inventing a technique that would weave straw with silk and thread.

1891 - The Music Hall which would later be known as Radio City Music Hall was dedicated today.

1961 - Alan Shepard became the first U.S. astronaut to travel into space.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Will Arnett who starred on TV’s “Arrested Development” and in the movie “Blades of Glory” was born in 1970.

Ann B. Davis who is best known as Alice on TV’s “The Brady Bunch” was born in 1926.

Jessica Dubroff one of America’s youngest aviators was born in 1988.

Danielle Fishel who starred as Toganga on TV’s “Boy Meets World” was born in 1981.

Lance Henriksen who starred in “Aliens”, “Pumpkinhead” and TV’s “Millennium” was born in 1940.

Brooke Hogan from TV’s “Hogan Knows Best” was born in 1988.

Karl Marx the philosopher/theorist and author of the “Communist Manifesto” was born in 1818.

Ian McCulloch the singer for Echo & the Bunnymen was born in 1959.

”Blind Willie” McTell the blues musician was born in 1901.

Michael Murphy who appeared in “Batman Returns”, “Magnolia” and “X-Men: The Last Stand” was born in 1938.

Michael Palin a member of the Monty Python’s Flying Circus comedy troupe and who starred in “A Fish Called Wanda” was born in 1943.

Tyrone Power who starred in “The Mark of Zorro” was born in 1914.

John Rhys-Davies who starred in the “Lord of the Rings” films and in “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” was born in 1944.

Tammy Wynette the songstress behind such hits as “Stand by Your Man” and “Divorce” was born in 1942.

Tina Yothers who played Jennifer on TV’s “Family Ties” was born in 1973.

We Said Goodbye To…

Napoleon Bonaparte the former French ruler passed away in 1821 at the age of 51.

Violet Jessup passed away in 1971 at the age of 83. Violet has the distinction of being a stewardess aboard the sister ships R.M.S. Olympic (when it collided with the Hawke), Titanic (on its maiden voyage) and Britannic (when it struck a mine in the Aegean Sea).

Michael Shaara the author of “The Killer Angels” passed away in 1988 at the age of 59. His book would later be the basis of the movie “Gettysburg”.

John Williams who appeared in “Dial M For Murder”, the original “Sabrina” and “To Catch a Thief” passed away in 1983 at the age of 80.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1962 - “Soldier Boy” by The Shirelles
1979 - “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb

TV Moments In…

1997 - After ten years on the FOX Network, the last episode of “Married With Children” aired.

Memorable Sports Moments In…

2002 - The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) changed its moniker to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after losing a lawsuit with the World Wildlife Fund.

Special Observances

Today is Cinco de Mayo!

Famous Marriages

1990 - Paul Hogan married his “Crocodile Dundee” co-star Linda Koslowski.

Don’t forget about the Today In History Newsletter!