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Updated May 7, 2012, 2:28 pm
On May 8, 1973, militant American Indians who had held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrendered.
On May 8, 1884, Harry S Truman, American 33rd president of the United States, was born. Following his death on Dec. 26, 1972, his obituary appeared in The Times.
Go to obituary » | Other birthdays »
On This Date
By The Associated Press
1541 Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River. 1794 Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry, was executed on the guillotine during France’s Reign of Terror. 1846 The first major battle of the Mexican War was fought at Palo Alto, Texas, resulting in victory for Gen. Zachary Taylor’s forces. 1886 Atlanta pharmacist John Styth Pemberton invented the flavor syrup for Coca-Cola. 1944 The first “eye bank” was established, in New York City. 1945 President Harry S. Truman announced in a radio address that World War II had ended in Europe. 1958 Vice President Richard Nixon was shoved, stoned, booed and spat upon by anti-American protesters in Lima, Peru. 1968 Jim “Catfish” Hunter of the Oakland Athletics pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins in Oakland. 1970 Construction workers broke up an anti-war protest on New York City’s Wall Street. 1970 The album “Let It Be” by the Beatles was released. 1973 Militant American Indians who had held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrendered. 1978 David Berkowitz pleaded guilty in Brooklyn to the “Son of Sam” killings. 1987 Gary Hart, dogged by questions about his personal life, withdrew from the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. 1999 The Citadel, South Carolina’s formerly all-male military school, graduated its first female cadet. Current Birthdays
By The Associated Press
Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith turns 54 years old today.
AP Photo/Nam Y Huh
Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez turns 30 years old today.
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
1926 David Attenborough, Environmentalist, turns 86 1926 Don Rickles, Comedian, turns 86 1937 Dennis DeConcini, Former U.S. senator, D-Ariz., turns 75 1940 Toni Tennille, Singer (The Captain and Tennille), turns 72 1944 Gary Glitter, Rock singer, turns 68 1945 Keith Jarrett, Jazz pianist, turns 67 1951 Philip Bailey, R&B singer (Earth, Wind and Fire), turns 61 1951 Chris Frantz, Rock musician (Talking Heads), turns 61 1953 Alex Van Halen, Rock musician (Van Halen), turns 59 1957 Bill Cowher, Football coach, sportscaster, turns 55 1959 Ronnie Lott, Football Hall of Famer, turns 53 1964 Melissa Gilbert, Actress (“Little House on the Prairie”), turns 48 1975 Enrique Iglesias, Singer, turns 37
Historic Birthdays
Harry Truman 5/8/1884 – 12/26/1972 American 33rd president of the United States.Go to obituary »
56 Edward Gibbon 5/8/1737 – 1/16/1794
English historian; wrote “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”78 Thomas Hancock 5/8/1786 – 3/26/1865
English inventor; helped start the British rubber industry82 Henri Dunant 5/8/1828 – 10/30/1910
Swiss humanitarian and founder the Red Cross; awarded Nobel Prize for Peace (1901)79 James Rowland Angell 5/8/1869 – 3/4/1949
American psychologist and president of Yale University80 Thomas Costain 5/8/1885 – 10/8/1965
Canadian-born American historical novelist25 Joselito 5/8/1895 – 5/16/1920
Spanish bullfighter77 Edmund Wilson 5/8/1895 – 6/12/1972
American essayist and literary critic92 Friedrich von Hayek 5/8/1899 – 3/23/1992
Austrian-born English economist; awarded Nobel Prize in 197467 Fernandel 5/8/1903 – 2/26/1971
French comedian71 Roberto Rossellini 5/8/1906 – 6/3/1977
Italian film director66 Romain Gary 5/8/1914 – 12/2/1980
French novelist, war hero and diplomat38 Sonny Liston 5/8/1932 – 12/30/1970
American world champion boxer from 1961 to 1964
Morning
“Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.”
Ephesians 1:3All the goodness of the past, the present, and the future, Christ bestows upon his people. In the mysterious ages of the past the Lord Jesus was his Father’s first elect, and in his election he gave us an interest, for we were chosen in him from before the foundation of the world. He had from all eternity the prerogatives of Sonship, as his Father’s only-begotten and well-beloved Son, and he has, in the riches of his grace, by adoption and regeneration, elevated us to sonship also, so that to us he has given “power to become the sons of God.” The eternal covenant, based upon suretiship and confirmed by oath, is ours, for our strong consolation and security. In the everlasting settlements of predestinating wisdom and omnipotent decree, the eye of the Lord Jesus was ever fixed on us; and we may rest assured that in the whole roll of destiny there is not a line which militates against the interests of his redeemed. The great betrothal of the Prince of Glory is ours, for it is to us that he is affianced, as the sacred nuptials shall ere long declare to an assembled universe. The marvellous incarnation of the God of heaven, with all the amazing condescension and humiliation which attended it, is ours. The bloody sweat, the scourge, the cross, are ours forever. Whatever blissful consequences flow from perfect obedience, finished atonement, resurrection, ascension, or intercession, all are ours by his own gift. Upon his breastplate he is now bearing our names; and in his authoritative pleadings at the throne he remembers our persons and pleads our cause. His dominion over principalities and powers, and his absolute majesty in heaven, he employs for the benefit of them who trust in him. His high estate is as much at our service as was his condition of abasement. He who gave himself for us in the depths of woe and death, doth not withdraw the grant now that he is enthroned in the highest heavens.
Evening
“Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field … let us see if the vine flourish.”
Song of Solomon 7:11-12The church was about to engage in earnest labour, and desired her Lord’s company in it. She does not say, “I will go,” but “let us go.” It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of God’s people to be trimmers of God’s vines. Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the Lord for usefulness; let us therefore go forth into the field. Observe that the church, when she is in her right mind, in all her many labours desires to enjoy communion with Christ. Some imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively, and yet have fellowship with him: they are mistaken. Doubtless it is very easy to fritter away our inward life in outward exercises, and come to complain with the spouse, “They made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept;” but there is no reason why this should be the case except our own folly and neglect. Certain is it that a professor may do nothing, and yet grow quite as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are most busy. Mary was not praised for sitting still; but for her sitting at Jesus’ feet. Even so, Christians are not to be praised for neglecting duties under the pretence of having secret fellowship with Jesus: it is not sitting, but sitting at Jesus’ feet which is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself an evil: it is a great blessing, and a means of grace to us. Paul called it a grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every form of Christian service may become a personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those who have most fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who have much time to spare, but indefatigable labourers who are toiling for Jesus, and who, in their toil, have him side by side with them, so that they are workers together with God. Let us remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, that we can do it, and should do it in close communion with him.
