seis de mayo

Sure, everyone has heard of Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for May 5th), but I contend that Seis de Mayo is more worthy of celebration. Here are some reasons why:

1. Good day to be born - I was born on May 6, 1983. That's right, I continue my march toward 30 as I turn 28 years old today. I am undeniably in my late 20's. My wife will have a field day with this for sure. I, of course, am not the only person who claims May 6 as a birthday. In fact, I think I fill out the standard "Types of people it's cool to share a birthday with" Checklist pretty well. See for yourself*:

1. Random girl who's not really famous but has played a lead role in a movie and shares the exact same birthday as you...√ (Gabourey Sidibe, 1983 - Precious in "Precious")
2. Future NHL Hall of Fame goaltender with multiple Stanley Cup titles to his name...√ (Martin Brodeur, 1972 - New Jersey Devils)
3. Famous heart-throb TV actor turned famous heart-throb movie star...√ (George Clooney, 1961 - Dr. Doug Ross, "ER"; Danny Ocean, "Ocean's Eleven")
4. Television host of multiple shows who's always creeping on women though not nearly as badly as Pat Sajak...√ (Tom Bergeron, 1955 - America's Funniest Home Videos; Dancing with the Stars)
5. Former world leader...√ (Tony Blair, 1953 - Former Prime Minister of Great Britain)
6. Musician who likes that old time rock & roll and has a #1 album to his credit...√ (Bob Seger, 1945 - "Against the Wind" in 1980)
7. Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player who is mentioned among the greatest players in the history of the game...√ (Willie Mays, 1931 - New York Giants; often referred to as the "Say Hey Kid")
8. Writer, director and actor in a movie consider among the greatest of all-time...√ (Orson Welles, 1915 - "Citizen Kane")
9. Famous British actor...√ (Stewart Granger, 1913 (King Solomon's Mines)
10. Italian actor acclaimed as one of the best during the silent film era...√ (Rudolph Valentino, 1895 - "The Sheik"; known as the "Latin Lover")
11. Author who wrote a well-known novel turned into popular film and stage productions...√ (Gaston Leroux, 1868 - The Phantom of the Opera)
12. Crazy nutcase who is credited as the father of modern Psychology...√ (Sigmund Freud, 1856  - Psychiatrist and founder of psychoanalysis)...hey, can't be proud of them all.
13. American explorer who likely made up a claim about being the first to reach a significant destination...√ (Robert E. Peary, 1856 - Geographic North Pole on April 6, 1909)
14. Leader of a major revolution...√ (Maximilien Robespierre, 1758 - French Revolution and Reign of Terror)

2. Some interesting historical events occurred on May 6th†:

1. 1312: Pope Clement V closes Council of Vienna.
2. 1626: Dutch colonist Paul Minuit buy Manhattan for $24 in trinkets.
3. 1835: The first issue of the New York Herald newspaper is published by James Bennett.
4. 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act - U.S. Congress ceases Chinese immigration.
5. 1898: Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public, coinciding with the Exposition Universelle (commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution).
6. 1915: Babe Ruth hits his first major league homer for the Boston Red Sox baseball team in a game against the NY Yankees.
7. 1935: The New Deal's Works Progress Administration is instituted.
8. 1937: The dirigible Hindenburg explodes while landing in New Jersey after a transatlantic flight, killing 36 people.
9. 1942: In World War II, the Japanese take Corregidor in the Philippines.
10. 1954: Roger Bannister runs the first sub-4 minute mile.
11. 1987: PTL's Jim Bakker and Rick Dortch dismissed from Assemblies of God (significant to me as I am a credential holder within the Assemblies of God).
12. 1994: The Channel Tunnel , linking England and France, is inaugurated.
13. 1997: Michael Jackson and Bee Gees inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

There are other birthdays and events that fall on May 6, but I just thought I'd touch on some of the more interesting ones. When you consider the fact that there are only 366 days of the year on which all of the events in the history of the world could have occurred, it's no doubt that every date will have its share of interesting history. I still think May 6 is pretty cool.

Have you ever checked out significant events and birthdays on your birthday? Do you even care? I'd like to say that I don't, but this blog proves that I do.

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Source Notes:

* Famous Birthdays compiled from famousbirthdays.com and worldalmanac.com

† List of historical events compiled from worldalmanac.com and brainyhistory.com