What’s Happening:

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Despite rain and immigration fears, southwest Detroit held its 60th annual Cinco de Mayo Parade Sunday, drawing around 8,000 attendees. While cities like Chicago and Philadelphia canceled their events amid immigration crackdowns, Detroit chose to celebrate — honoring Mexican heritage and resilience. Some saw it as defiance, others as tradition. Paradegoers braved the weather to pass the legacy on.

The Tigers crushed the Angels 13-1 Sunday to cap the series and a grueling 23-game stretch with a 15-8 run. Despite double-digit injuries, they lead the AL at 22-13. After a Monday off, they’ll wrap up their road trip with three in Colorado, completing a four-time-zone tour.

Why is it hard to find Real Sugar Coke in the U.S.

Most American Coca-Cola uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) instead of cane sugar because it’s cheaper, sweeter, and has a longer shelf life. This switch happened in 1984, driven by U.S. corn subsidies and sugar import tariffs passed during the Reagan era. HFCS is easier for manufacturers due to factory designs and trade laws, and it saves companies money. Health experts say HFCS is metabolized differently, potentially leading to health issues. Though Coke made with real sugar still exists—like Mexican Coke or special kosher-for-Passover bottles—it’s limited and often pricier. Most countries outside the U.S. still use cane sugar in their sodas.

Today in History:

• 1843 – Hong Kong was proclaimed by Queen Victoria to be a British crown colony.
• 1923 – Firestone Tire and Rubber Company began the first regular production of balloon tires.
• 1958 – The first ever hit compilation album, Johnny Mathis’ “Johnny’s Greatest Hits,” entered the Billboard chart and stayed there for almost 9½ years, a tenure record that remained unbroken until 1982 when it was surpassed by Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon.”
• 1964 – The Searchers made their U.S. debut by appearing on CBS-TV’s “The Ed Sullivan Show,” singing “Needles and Pins”.
• 1965 – Ahmet Ertegun signed 30-year-old Sonny Bono and 18-year-old partner Cher to Atco Records.
• 1967 – Paul McCartney flew to the U.S. to attend girlfriend Jane Asher’s 21st birthday party in Denver. He gave her a large diamond ring which she later lost.
• 1971 – Chicago became the first American rock group to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. They played six sold-out shows and recorded the concerts for the four-record album, “Chicago at Carnegie Hall,” which became their third album to make the Top 5 in the U.S.
• 1974 – The 110-story World Trade Center opened in New York City.
• 1987 – The Fox TV network premiered with an episode of the sitcom “Married With Children” and the first installment of “The Tracey Ullman Show.”
• 2006 – Katie Couric announced that she was leaving NBC-TV’s “Today” show to become the anchor of “The CBS Evening News.”
• 2008 – Apple’s iTunes overtook Walmart to become the largest music retailer in the U.S.

Today’s Birthdays:

• 1914 Tyrone Power, American actor (The Mark of Zorro; Nightmare Alley), born in Cincinnati, Ohio (d. 1958)
• 1926 Ann B Davis, American stage and screen actress (The Bob Cummings Show – “Schultzy”; The Brady Bunch – “Alice”), born in Schenectady, New York (d. 2014)
• 1927 Pat Carroll, American comedienne and Emmy Award-winning actress (The Little Mermaid – “Ursula”; Make Room for Daddy), born in Shreveport, Louisiana (d. 2022)
• 1938 Johnnie Taylor, American R&B and multi-genre singer (“Disco Lady”; “I Believe In You”), born in Crawfordsville, Arkansas (d. 2000)
• Actor Michael Murphy is 87.
• 1942 Tammy Wynette (d.1998)
• Michael Palin is 81.
• John Rhys-Davies is 81.
• Henry Cavill is 41.
• Adele is 36.

Happening today in Metro Detroit:

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at El Club, Detroit – Evening festivities featuring live DJs, cultural performances, and a vibrant community vibe. Free admission until 9 p.m. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinco-de-mayo-celebration-tickets-1350215042539 for more information.

Cinco de Mayo Party at Legends, Detroit – Two-floor celebration with DJ Aaron L and The Ladies of Legends. Free entry for women until 11 p.m. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/may-5th-cinco-de-mayo-tickets-1344648352419 for more information.

Cantina El Dorado’s 4-Day Fiesta, Auburn Hills – Final day of a festive series featuring DJs, giveaways, outdoor patio events, and more. No cover charge. Visit https://www.thepernateam.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-detroit-cinco-de-mayo-2025-parades-parties–authentic-eats for more information.

Alice Cooper appears at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Saturday, May 10. Ticket information at Ticketmaster.

Keener Number Ones on This Date:
(1965) Wooly Bully, Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs
(1966) The More I See You, Chris Montez
(1967) Release Me, Engelbert Humperdinck
(1968) Mrs Robinson, Simon & Garfunkle
(1969) Get Back/Dont Let Me Down, Beatles
(1970) Little Green Bag, George Baker Selection
(1971) Superstar, Murray Head