24 fun facts for May, 6

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
May 6 is a day rich in history and celebration, from International No Diet Day to National Nurses Day in the United States. The day has been marked by significant events such as Alan Shepard becoming the first American in space and the official opening of the Channel Tunnel, as well as the start of the Works Progress Administration in 1935.
24 Fun facts
  1. On May 6, 1757, the English poet Christopher Smart was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital for Lunatics in London, where he would write his famous work "Jubilate Agno."
  2. The first edition of Peter Roget's Thesaurus was published on May 6, 1852. It has since become a staple reference book for writers and students.
  3. On May 6, 1861, Arkansas became the ninth state to secede from the Union during the American Civil War, bringing the total number of Confederate states to 11.
  4. The Great St. Petersburg Ice Railway opened on May 6, 1897, in Russia as a popular attraction that included ice sculptures, a cafe, and performances.
  5. May 6, 1935 marked the beginning of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the United States, a New Deal program designed to employ millions of job-seekers during the Great Depression.
  6. On May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg airship burst into flames upon attempting to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 people and ending the era of passenger-carrying airships.
  7. May 6 marks International No Diet Day, an annual celebration to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the dangers of dieting and weight discrimination.
  8. On May 6, 1954, British athlete Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, breaking the previous world record at Iffley Road track in Oxford, England.
  9. Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 6, 1961, when he piloted the Freedom 7 spacecraft during a 15-minute suborbital flight.
  10. In 1966, on May 6, the famous Beatles album "Revolver" was completed with the recording of the final track, "Tomorrow Never Knows."
  11. May 6 is celebrated as National Nurses Day in the United States, honoring the hard work and dedication of nurses and the beginning of National Nurses Week.
  12. On May 6, 1976, the Friuli earthquake struck northeastern Italy, causing widespread damage and killing over 900 people.
  13. The Channel Tunnel, connecting the United Kingdom and France, officially opened on May 6, 1994, becoming the longest undersea portion of any tunnel in the world.
  14. On May 6, 1998, Steve Jobs unveiled the iMac, Apple's iconic all-in-one translucent computer, which would go on to revolutionize the company's product lineup and success.
  15. May 6 is also known as National Beverage Day in the United States, a day to enjoy your favorite non-alcoholic drinks and discover new ones.
  16. On May 6, 2001, Pope John Paul II became the first Pontiff to visit a mosque, specifically the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria.
  17. May 6 is International Astronomy Day, a day to celebrate and promote astronomy as a science and encourage public interest in the stars, planets, and the universe.
  18. On May 6, 2010, the famous "Flash Crash" occurred when the U.S. stock market briefly dropped nearly 1,000 points before recovering, causing a huge loss of wealth in just minutes.
  19. May 6 is the National Day of Prayer in the United States, a day for people of all faiths to come together and pray for the nation.
  20. On May 6, 2013, the world's first plastic gun, produced using 3D printing technology, was successfully tested in Texas, opening a controversial debate about gun control and personal safety.
  21. May 6 is celebrated as the National Day of Sweden, a national holiday that commemorates the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523 and the establishment of the modern Swedish state.
  22. In Japan, May 6 is celebrated as "Children's Day," a national holiday to honor the happiness and well-being of children and express gratitude to their mothers.
  23. On May 6, 2016, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus outbreak a global public health emergency, prompting increased efforts to combat the virus and its effects on unborn children.
  24. May 6 marks the feast day of Saint Dominic Savio, a young Italian saint known for his piety and devotion to the Catholic faith, and the patron saint of choirboys and teenage students.

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