This Day in History
May 21, 1881 — American Red Cross Founded by Clara Barton
On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, bringing organized humanitarian relief to the United States. Inspired by her Civil War service and the international Red Cross movement, Barton created an organization dedicated to disaster response, medical aid, and compassionate service that continues helping millions around the world today.
May 20, 1609 — Shakespeare’s Sonnets First Published in London
First published in London on May 20, 1609, William Shakespeare’s Sonnets became one of the most influential poetry collections in literary history. Published by Thomas Thorpe, possibly without Shakespeare’s approval, the 154 sonnets explored love, beauty, mortality, and time, showcasing the emotional depth and poetic brilliance that continue to captivate readers worldwide.
May 19, 1828 — Tariff of Abominations Signed Into Law - John Quincy Adams
American History Civil War Political Leaders USA President
Signed by President John Quincy Adams on May 19, 1828, the Tariff of Abominations imposed high import duties to protect Northern industries. While supporters praised its economic benefits, Southern states fiercely opposed the law, arguing it favored the North and harmed agriculture, deepening sectional tensions that foreshadowed the Civil War.
May 18, 1917 — American Expeditionary Force Ordered to France - John Pershing
On May 18, 1917, General John J. Pershing and the first units of the American Expeditionary Force were ordered to France, marking America’s direct entry into World War I. The deployment strengthened Allied morale, expanded U.S. influence abroad, and helped shape the outcome of the war and America’s future global role.
May 15, 1618 — Kepler Discovers the Harmonic Law
Astronomy Enlightenment Mathematics Medieval Thinkers Science Scientific Discovery
On May 15, 1618, Johannes Kepler discovered his third planetary law, the harmonic law, revealing a precise mathematical relationship between planets and their distance from the Sun. This breakthrough transformed astronomy, strengthened the heliocentric model, and laid the foundation for Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity and modern space science.