On this day

5 May in history.

5 moments from 1809 to 1973: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Business suit portrait of Al Shepard

1961

The first American in space. Alan Shepard flew Freedom 7 on a 15-minute trip into space and back, the first American to make the journey.

Wikipedia: Alan Shepard

Photo: NASA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 5 May

  1. Silent film comic Charley Chase. Subjects (LCTGM): actors

    1809

    A first patent for a woman

    Mary Kies became the first woman to receive a US patent in her own name, for a way of weaving straw with silk.

    Wikipedia: Mary Dixon Kies

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Midtown Manhattan, NYC

    1891

    Carnegie Hall opens

    New York's great concert hall, paid for by Andrew Carnegie, opened with Tchaikovsky as a guest conductor.

    Wikipedia: Carnegie HallWikipedia: Andrew Carnegie

    Photo: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

  3. Cy Young with the Cleveland Naps during the final season of his Hall of Fame career

    1904

    Cy Young's perfect game

    Pitcher Cy Young let no batter reach base for a whole game, the first perfect game of baseball's modern era.

    Wikipedia: Cy YoungWikipedia: Perfect game

    Photo: Charles M. Conlon / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Ron Turcotte and Secretariat after winning the 1973 Preakness Stakes

    1973

    Secretariat's record run

    The racehorse Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby in a record time that still stands, on his way to the Triple Crown.

    Wikipedia: Secretariat (horse)

    Photo: Carl D. Harris / 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.