It's fun to dig up facts from history and you might find some of these little tidbits interesting as we look back on the calendar for May 27.

In 1896, 255 people were killed when a tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois.

In 1933, the Chicago World's Fair, celebrating ``A Century of Progress,'' officially opened. Walt Disney's Academy Award-winning animated short ``The Three Little Pigs'' was first released.

In 1936, the Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary left England on its maiden voyage to New York.

In 1937, the newly completed Golden Gate Bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County, California, was opened to pedestrian traffic (vehicles began crossing the next day).

In 1941, the British Royal Navy sank the German battleship Bismarck off France, with a loss of some 2,000 lives, three days after the Bismarck sank the HMS Hood.

In 1942, Navy Cook 3rd Class Doris ``Dorie'' Miller became the first African-American to receive the Navy Cross for his ``extraordinary courage and disregard for his own personal safety'' during Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Some entertainment landmarks on this day:

On May 27th, 1950, Frank Sinatra made his TV debut with Bob Hope on NBC.

In 1980, David Lee Roth fractured his nose and suffered a concussion when he leaped off Alex Van Halen's drum riser and hit the stage lights. They were recording an Italian TV special in Rome at the time.

In 1992, Cher was forced to postpone her live performance debut in New York City after she came down with bronchitis.

In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was left paralyzed when he was thrown from his horse during a jumping event in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In 2003, Angelina Jolie's and Billy Bob Thornton's divorce was finalized.

In 2010, Simon Cowell appeared on his last episode of ``American Idol.'' He left to start the show ``X Factor.'' Lee Dewyze won ``Idol'' that night, beating out Crystal Bowersox.

 

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