On this day

1 May in history.

5 moments from 1786 to 1950: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

1931

The Empire State Building opens. New York's Empire State Building opened after just over a year of building. For nearly 40 years it was the tallest building in the world.

Photo: Sam Valadi / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

1786
The Marriage of Figaro
Mozart's comic opera about clever servants outwitting their master opened in Vienna. It remains one of the most performed operas.
Wikipedia: The Marriage of Figaro Wikipedia: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Photo: Johann Nepomuk della Croce / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1851
The Great Exhibition opens
Queen Victoria opened a huge show of inventions from around the world, inside the Crystal Palace, a giant building of glass and iron in London.
Wikipedia: Great Exhibition Wikipedia: The Crystal Palace
Photo: Philip Henry Delamotte (1821–1889) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1941
Citizen Kane premieres
Orson Welles, just 25, released his first feature film. Its bold camera work makes it one of the most admired films ever made.
Wikipedia: Citizen Kane Wikipedia: Orson Welles
Photo: Carl Van Vechten / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1950
Gwendolyn Brooks wins the Pulitzer
Poet Gwendolyn Brooks won a Pulitzer Prize for her book Annie Allen. No African American writer had received one before.
Wikipedia: Gwendolyn Brooks Wikipedia: Annie Allen
Photo: ACME Newspictures / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.