May 3
1494. Christopher Columbus sights land that will ultimately be called Jamaica.
1715. Halley's Eclipse. Mostly known for a certain famous comet, Edmund Halley was one of the foremost astronomers of his day, and also provided invaluable support to the world by convincing (and financing the efforts of) some dunce named Isaac Newton to write a book called Principia Mathematica. On this day, however, occurred an total solar eclipse over England and much of Northern Europe. What was notable was that Halley predicted the time of the eclipse to within three minutes, and also the path of the eclipse with a predictive map which ultimately was accurate to within about 15 miles.
1921. West Virginia introduces the first state sales tax.
1951. The United States senate begins hearings regarding the dismissal of General Douglas MacArthur. The hearings are the result of public outcry after MacArthur's dismissal, and led largely by the Republicans in the Senate. Senator Robert Taft, "Mr. Republican" and the son of former President and Chief Justice Taft, excoriates Truman and demands his impeachment!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Senator Robert Taft
President Truman must be impeached and convicted. His hasty and vindictive removal of Gen. MacArthur is the culmination of series of acts which have shown that he is unfit, morally and mentally, for his high office. . . . The American nation has never been in greater danger. It is led by a fool who is surrounded by knaves. . .
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The Senators begin the hearings with MacArthur, who repeatedly suggests that he was not aware of any friction or problems with any of his superiors, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, etc., and then are completely astonished when all of Truman's advisors -- which include American heroes such as former head of the United States Army George Marshall (then Secretary of State) and Omar Bradley (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) uniformly support Truman's decision.
1963. The police in Birmingham, Alabama switch tactics and begin to use force against African-American protestors. The violent suppression is transmitted worldwide, bringing international attention to the civil rights movement.