Did You Know:

Memory can start to decline as early as your 30s, but simple, science-backed techniques can help keep your mind sharp. From paying closer attention and saying things out loud to creating associations and challenging your brain daily, there are effective ways to strengthen recall and boost long-term memory. Here are some more helpful tips.

Today in History:

• 1881 – The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton in Washington, D.C., later playing a vital role in disaster relief and wartime aid, including efforts in Detroit.
• 1927 – Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris, completing the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight from New York, a landmark in aviation history.
• 1932 – Amelia Earhart landed in Northern Ireland, becoming the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic, five years after Lindbergh’s feat.
• 1934 – Oskaloosa, Iowa, hosted the first night game in organized baseball under permanent lights, leading to widespread use across leagues, including in Detroit.
• 1956 – The U.S. detonated its first airborne hydrogen bomb over Bikini Atoll, escalating Cold War nuclear tensions.
• 1963 – “Little” Stevie Wonder taped his sophomore album, The Twelve Year Old Genius, live at a Detroit theatre. It would become Motown’s first No. 1 album and it yielded Wonder’s first smash hit, “Fingertips, Pt. 2.”
• 1966 – Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” debuted on the singles chart, where it would become her biggest hit ever, reaching No. 4.
• 1969 – John Lennon’s and Yoko Ono’s infamous 10-day “bed-in” for peace began at a Montreal hotel.
• 1971 – Marvin Gaye’s album What’s Going On was released by the Motown Records subsidiary label Tamla. It was Gaye’s first album to credit him as a producer and to credit Motown’s in-house studio band (the session musicians known as the Funk Brothers) and it is regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. In fact, last year, it was officially ranked No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
• 1971 – Ram, Paul McCartney’s second solo album, was released. Unlike McCartney’s first solo effort, it was not a one-man band affair. Contributing musicians included guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken.
• 1977 – Stevie Wonder started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with his tribute to Duke Ellington, “Sir Duke”, his sixth U.S. No. 1.
• 1977 – Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album took over the No. 1 spot in the U.S. from the Eagles’ Hotel California.
• 1979 – Elton John launched a series of concerts in the Soviet Union. The shows were videotaped for a cable TV special called To Russia With Elton.
• 1992 – MTV aired the first episode of The Real World, which got huge ratings and began a shift in programming away from music videos. It also encouraged other networks to try this “Reality TV” thing.
• 1992 – Bette Midler was Johnny Carson’s last guest on The Tonight Show (his final show, the following night, has no guests). She serenaded him with “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road).”

Today’s Birthdays:

• Fats Waller was born in 1904. (d. 1943) – American jazz pianist, composer, and entertainer, known for his comedic flair and stride piano style.
• Andrei Sakharov was born in 1921. (d. 1989) – Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
• Raymond Burr was born in 1917. (d. 1993) – Canadian-American actor, widely recognized for playing Perry Mason and Robert Ironside on television.
• Harold Robbins was born in 1916. (d. 1997) – Prolific American author known for best-selling novels like The Carpetbaggers.
• Ronald Isley, is 84. (Isley Brothers – “Twist and Shout”; “This Old Heart Of Mine”), born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1941.
• Mr. T is 74 – Born in 1952. American actor and wrestler best known for his role as B.A. Baracus on The A-Team and for his tough-guy persona.
• Judge Reinhold is 69 – Born in 1956. American actor known for roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Beverly Hills Cop.

Happening Today:

Detroit Women’s History Project Community Meeting at WCCCD Frank Hayden Community Room, Detroit, 5:00 PM – https://detroitmi.gov/events/detroits-women-history-project-community-meeting-may-21-2025

Grass Lake Music in the Park & Music Market at Grass Lake Events Park Pavilion, Grass Lake, 4:00 PM – https://jtv.tv/events-of-wednesday-may-21-2025/

Detroit Police Vehicle Auction at DPD Grand River, Detroit, 10:00 AM – https://detroitmi.gov/Calendar-and-Events