Archives: May 11, 2009
Heritage Pacific Leasing, Fresno, California

John Otto's company Heritage Pacific Leasing, Fresno, California was reportedly sold to a group with the escrow to close in early April. Leasing Note holders have been contacting Leasing News to learn if there is any news why they have not been paid on their notes that they hold on leases serviced by Heritage Pacific Leasing, and who is purchasing the company so they may contact them about this.

One of the investors told Leasing News that investors had approximately $20 million in this lease. They were allegedly made to physicians and others in the medical field, prime credits.

None of the investors Leasing News spoke to had ever seen the lease contract or even the name of the leases they were investing in.

“We provided funds to John Otto in a Loan Agreement and he provided Leases as collateral for our investment with him,“ said one investor who had about a million dollars in leases along with a friend.

“The leases he provided were, supposedly, ones he had purchased from American Express at a discount, but we never saw the leases themselves, just the lease number as listed on our Agreement.  These Leases were again supposedly, seasoned leases with American Express and they sold them to John but they (AMEX) continued to service the leases. Theoretically, Amex received the lease payments and forwarded John his amount, which he then forwarded to us after taking whatever income off the top.  The rates that most of our loans with him were paying was 9% simple interest paid monthly, with a three year balloon.”

"An investor Leasing News spoke with informed him that American Express Business Finance was sold October, 2004 to Key Equipment Finance and 36 month contracts would have expired in 2007. He was under the impression “American Express” was still in the equipment leasing business. He repeated a good friend has made several leasing contract investments with John Otto and all were paid on time until April of this year."

"Leasing News hopes to have an interview with Mr. Otto for the next edition."
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202009/05-11-09.htm#hpl

May 13, 2009

“A man was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a city-owned parking lot in Palm Desert on Monday, “ the Palm Desert police reported “...around 2:15pm.The man was found lying next to a GMC Arcadia SUV…He was pronounced dead at Eisenhower Medical Center.”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202009/05-13-09.htm#sad

Heritage Leasing Articles
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/heritage_leasing.htm

 

((Please Click on Bulletin Board to learn more information))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

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Brokers Say it is "Slow"
The Boon of Financial Technology

by Christopher Menkin, Editor

First, I am a fan on Financial Technology. Leasing News has a weekly column on its benefits and how it works. Also, we include many stories on what is happening in Alternate Finance. On the other side, I am still a big fan of "Hills Street Blues" and Sergeant Phil Esterhaus, who ended his roll call session with police officers, "Hey, let's be careful out there..."  The same applies to Financial Technology and Alternate Finance.

Brokers tell Leasing News that business is slow. Whether this is a bump or a trend is too early to call, although many of the alternate finance companies also report a slowdown in originations; several stocks are down and more are looking at securitization rather than their investment from individuals and financial investment firms.

As the Founder and Chief Editor of deBanked.com, Sean Murray, writes, "While Lending Club weathered the storm relatively well, the resignation of their CEO amid a loan manipulation scandal does not bode well for its immediate future prospects.

"Avant CEO Al Goldstein, whose company’s loan volume among the bunch dropped off the most, told Crain’s Chicago last month, “If we can’t find capital, we’re not going to grow fast. If we can, we will.”

"In a later comment to the WSJ, an Avant spokesperson explained that Q4 loan volumes are typically elevated because of the holidays and Q1’s volume down because many borrowers are receiving their tax refunds." (1)

The US Treasury, led by Jacob Lew, has recommended that eight other regulatory agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, should get together and figure out how they would oversee the relatively new world of online lending.

According to the New York Post, Treasury Secretary Lew recommended "the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should get together and figure out how they would oversee the relatively new world of online lending."

Noted in today's News Briefs, is the full story of what happened at the Lending Club, as well Business Insider reporting commercial bankruptcies were up 32% in March, and of these commercial bankruptcies in April, 680 Chapter 11 filings, up 67% year-over-year.

Perhaps another indicator is the turnout of more funder representatives than brokers at the last National Equipment Finance Association and National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers (NAELB). Dwight Galloway, CLFP, reporting on the NAELB Conference, wrote "... among the three hundred attendees, brokers seemed outnumbered by funders and service providers, a nagging trend in the industry. As a result, the eight hours allotted for brokers to visit funders in the exhibit hall were bountiful with brokers having a vast array of funders and ample time."
(2)

What he did not explain, but the attendance registration showed, were the large number of Alternate Finance companies exhibiting, looking for third party originations. They are hungry for business.

The group is also afraid of coming regulations as indicated by several federal commissions, state authorities, as well as congressmen, and now US Treasury Secretary Lew.  They have six associations now, more than in leasing, a $7 billion industry, according to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association.

More important than all of this is the available funds as more and more alternate finance companies are turning away from direct investors to syndications, investment firms, and bank fundings.  What bothers the regulators is these loans are being bundled and either sold off or borrowed against, and then the buyers repackage in larger dollars, selling them off, and it happens again, as the rates of the loans allow them to repackage and sell again.

As long as the sales keep coming in like what happened in the mortgage industry, everyone will be making money until the credit cycle changes and all the new credit criteria, or lack thereof, becomes another financial recession, as well as puts many out of business and broke.

Remember that old expression, in talking about the boon of financial technology, "If it's too good to be true, it isn't."

(1) Loan Originations Slow Industrywide
http://debanked.com/2016/05/loan-originations-slow-industrywide/

(2) NAELB Conference by Dwight Galloway, CLFP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2016/05_04.htm

 

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"Creating New Pathways to the Future"
ELFF Releases 2016 Industry Future Council Report

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has released its 2016 Industry Future Council Report, “Creating New Pathways to the Future.”  The annual IFC report offers a look at the influencing forces, variables and market-changing trends that signal the pace and direction of business for the next 10 years, making it an invaluable strategic and tactical tool. The key themes that emerged from the 2016 IFC discussion include:

• the impact of increasing government regulation
• talent recruitment and retention
• a desire for more disruptive innovation|
• potential new types of customer relationships and business models enabled by technology

The IFC brought together leaders from around the industry to explore trends, challenges and opportunities that could impact the equipment leasing and finance industry in the years to come. Insights from this report can be used as a guidebook to be used by industry leaders as they undertake their own strategic planning.

It is available for $95.00 at the Foundation’s online library, and free of charge to donors at certain giving levels at http://www.store.leasefoundation.org/cgi-bin/msascartdll.dll/ProductInfo?productcd=IFC2016

Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
Ascentium Capital/Partners Capital Group/TopMark Funding

Sales Representative San Francisco 2 to 3 Years in Financial Services The keys to success at ATEL include: • Ability to learn quickly and effectively • Money motivated • Competitive, never say die attitude "You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win." - Zig Ziglar For Further Information, click here www.atel.com ATEL Capital Group, headquartered in the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, is one of the largest independent equipment financing companies in the US serving a wide range of industries, focusing on Fortune 1000 companies and other near investment grade credit corporations. Since 1977 ATEL has priced, structured and negotiated in excess of $30 billion of equipment lease financing transactions

 

 

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

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CFPB Issues New Guidelines on Recurring Debits
By Tom McCurnin
Leasing News Legal Editor

To Combat Telemarketer Fraud, CFPB Reminds Banks and Other Covered Entities of Their Duties under the Federal Rules

CFPB Bulletin 2015-0006

The Consumer Federal Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) has come down with new guidelines relative to Reg. E preauthorized electronic debits of accounts. The term “preauthorized electronic debits” generally means the debiting of an account by a preauthorized written, electronic or verbal authorization, usually for the payment of recurring obligations. It is generated by the customer with an agreement with the customer’s bank. This differs from an ACH in that the ACH is initiated by the creditor’s bank. 

The new guidelines were promulgated in response to complaints about telemarketers and payday lenders. For banks, not only do the new CFPB regulations apply to you, but to your customers, if you bank loan servicers or payday lenders. 

The regulations still allow oral authorization for a recurring debit but the bank must provide disclosure to the customer, either in paper or electronic forms.  That disclosure must disclose that the debit is recurring. The bank must comply with the E-Sign Act, which insures that the person providing authorization is genuine. 

Concerned about the unauthorized debits by telemarketers, the CFPB released four sample letters which the customer can send to its bank to stop the recurring debit. These can be located at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/you-have-protections-when-it-comes-to-automatic-debit-payments-from-your-account/

And for the readers, the CFPB governs not only banks, but many non-bank covered entities, such as loan servicers or payday loans

The bottom line to this new guideline is that it reinforces a bank’s duty to insure that recurring debits are fully authorized by their customers.

Tom McCurnin is a partner at Barton, Klugman & Oetting
in Los Angeles, California.

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ave.
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Direct Phone: (213) 617-6129
Cell (213) 268-8291
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
Visit our web site at www.bkolaw.com
Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org

Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

 

Microsoft's Free Windows 10 Upgrade Ends July 29
It Will Cost $119 to Get New Version of It
by Eugene Kim, Business Insider

Although Windows 10 adoption hasn't blown people away, it's still shaping up to be one of the most popular products to come out of Microsoft in a long time. It's now installed on 300 million active devices and has seen faster adoption than any of its Windows predecessors.

It remains to be seen if its growth will keep up for the rest of the year. Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade offer ends on July 29, from which it'll cost $119 to get the new version of it.

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##### Press Release ############################

Ascentium Capital Reaches $1 Billion
in Assets and Executes Fifth Securitization

Kingwood, TX– Ascentium Capital, a leading small business lender and equipment finance company, announced the company reached $1 billion in assets under its management. Additionally, the company issued a $237.5 million small ticket equipment securitization of Ascentium Equipment Receivables LLC, Series 2016‐1.

Tom Depping
President, CEO
Ascentium Capital

In less than five years, Ascentium Capital has expanded its national footprint and brand awareness. “Ascentium’s healthy growth to $1 billion dollars in assets is a sign that our range of products allow us to serve a diverse client base which also positively impacts our portfolio stability. This enabled our bond offering to be well received by the market as we executed our fifth securitization,” comments Tom Depping, President and CEO of Ascentium Capital.

Ascentium Capital’s sales and service approach is to create value for their clients.

Richard Baccaro
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Ascentium Capital

“We believe that the demand for our financing is attributed to our seamless finance platform and our tenured finance professionals. Our team members are driven to add convenience and flexibility throughout the finance experience as our customers drive us to be forward thinking,” remarks Richard Baccaro, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Ascentium Capital.

The company continues to expand into new markets, enhancing the finance products and services to meet unique vertical market needs. Ascentium Capital continues to invest in the franchise, healthcare, technology, hospitality, and petroleum industries which will drive future growth.

As a direct lender, Ascentium Capital LLC specializes in providing a broad range of business financing, leasing and working capital loans. The company’s offering benefits equipment manufacturers and distributors as well as direct to businesses nationwide. The company is backed by the strength of leading investment firms Vulcan Capital and LKCM Capital Group, LLC. For more information, please visit www.AscentiumCapital.com

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(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)

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National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers
Hosts Successful 2016 Conference

PHILADELPHIA – The National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, (NAELB), held one of its more successful Annual Conferences to date, announced Conference Chair Timothy Daum of Plan B Capital Group, LLC.

Timothy Daum
Catalyst Finance Partners
Flamborough, Ontario
Canada

 “We welcomed 118 brokers, which exceeded last year’s attendance by 17%” Daum said. “Overall, attendance was up 14% from 2015 and we welcomed more exhibitors, he added.

NAELB’s 2016 Annual Conference was held at the Tropicana, Las Vegas from April 28-30. Among highlights:

• Celebration of NAELB’s 25th Anniversary in 2016 with a special reception focused on recognition of NAELB’s

• Founders/Charter Members and Past Presidents;

• Keynote Speech by Olympic Gold Medal Winner John Naber who recounted Olympic stories of discipline, sacrifice and teamwork to encourage attendees to “follow the Olympian secrets” in their businesses;

• Fifteen education sessions and six networking events;

Theresa Kabot, CLFP, BPB
K2 Funding
Kabot Commercial Leasing LLC

• Presentation of the NAELB President’s Award to Theresa Kabot of Kabot Commercial Leasing; and

Reid Raykovich
Executive Director
Certified Leasing and Finance Foundation

• Recognition of NAELB’s support for the CLFP Foundation by their Executive Director Reid Raykovich, who also recognized  new CLFP Carrie Radloff who holds a Committee leadership role in NAELB.

Carrie Radloff, CLFP
Business Development Manager
American Financial Partners, Inc.
Red Thread Financial Group, LLC

About NAELB

NAELB is the premier organization formed to promote the interests of equipment leasing brokers through education, advocacy, improved communication with funders and programs designed to upgrade the professionalism and profitability of brokers, funders and others engaged in the business of equipment lease financing.  NAELB is an association formed by leasing brokers for leasing brokers. The NAELB is the Broker's Advocate. For more information, visit www.naelb.org

#### Press Release #############################

 

Labrador Retriever Mix
Albany, New York  Adopt-a-Dog

"Hi! I am Bentley and I am a 6 month old lab. I have lots of puppy energy and love to run and play with my foster brothers. I am a big boy so I can keep up with them. I love to go for walks and I am a very submissive fella. I am crate trained but I really prefer to sit with you if I can. I can’t figure out why the cat won’t play with me? I keep asking him to! I am a special fella who needs a special home; see my last family wasn’t told I was deaf when they brought me home as a baby. I love people, dogs, cats and children but will probably do better with older children since I have so much energy and can’t hear. I’d really like a fenced in yard too. My first family tried really hard and taught me sign language and I can sit, stay, lie down and give you my paw. They didn’t want to see me go but they know I need a home with people who can spend a lot of time with me and they want the best for me. Can you give me that time? I’ll give you lots of kisses!"

Our adoption clinics are at our new facility in Schenectady on John Street, directly behind Boulevard Bowl (Erie Boulevard) every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm (directions are on our website). We require an approved application before we consider anyone for an adoption - so filling out the application is your first step. We do NOT accept applications at our clinics, they MUST be filled out online before coming to our adoption events. Different dogs and puppies go up for adoption EVERY WEEK so please feel free to visit the site and click on the Petfinder link for updates. Puppies and dogs up to 2 years old are $295. Dogs over 2 years old are $195. 100% of the adoption fees go to help us save more dogs.

For adoption information go to: www.homewardbounddogrescue.com. You must fill out an application online as we do NOT accept applications at our clinics.
Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of NY
PO Box 5782
Albany, NY 12205
518.424.1738
Contact Form:
https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/34921948#

Adopt a Pet
http://www.adoptapet.com/

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IRS Verification

IRS Retrieve/verify a corporation and personal tax information (1040, 1120, 1065) electronically directly from the source. Results delivered in 24-48 hours. 678-393-1988 Scott orsscher@recruitscreen.com

 

News Briefs---

Lending Club CEO Forced to Resign – Stocks Decline
   Full Story on What Happened and Why He Resigned
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-09/mack-invested-with-former-lendingclub-ceo-in-loan-buying-venture

Treasury Calls for Reining in Online Lenders To Include Eight Other Regulatory Agencies
http://nypost.com/2016/05/10/treasury-calls-for-reining-in-online-lenders/

US Commercial Bankruptcies Are Skyrocketing
 End of the "Credit Cycle?"
http://www.businessinsider.com/us-commercial-bankruptcies-skyrocketing-2016-5

GE to cut up to 100 jobs in Connecticut
http://www.boston.com/news/business/2016/05/09/ge-to-cut-up-to-100-jobs-in-connecticut

Federal judge blocks Staples’ $6.3 billion acquisition of Office Depot
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/05/10/federal-judge-blocks-staples-merger-with-office-depot/

U.S. companies are saving $100 billion a year by shifting profits overseas, report says
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/05/10/u-s-companies-are-saving-100-billion-a-year-by-shifting-profits-overseas-report-says/

Singapore lessor BOC Aviation to launch IPO
http://atwonline.com/leasing/singapore-lessor-boc-aviation-launch-ipo

Eating Smart Just Getting Smarter with Smartplate
http://www.siliconvalleyglobe.com/eating-smart-just-getting-smarter-with-smartplate-the-intelligent-plate/

 

 

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--You May Have Missed It

New vs. Used: The Difference in Auto Lease Payments
  Applies to Consumers as Well as Business
http://www.autoremarketing.com/financial-services/new-vs-used-difference-lease-payments

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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

The Truth about Carbohydrates
  Not All Carbs are Created Equal
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=590

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Baseball Poem

Written by Don Angel © in 08-1997

The sun is shining bright
No clouds are in sight
Pitching would be the key
Innings one, two and three
Inning four
Visitors strike a 1-0 score
Inning five
Bats come alive
Eight batters would come to the plate
Three runs being the fate
Being down by four
The home team needs to score
A single to left
Eyeing a base running threat
The pitcher's attention is slow
So off to second the runner goes
On the catcher's attempted throw
Sailing into the shortstop to low
Line drive up the middle
Another run is whittled
As a result of a homerun
Now entering the sixth, down one
Visitors still winning
Sixth, seventh and eighth inning
At the start of inning nine
It is up to the relief to shine
A strikeout of the side
Brings the bottom of the ninth in stride
As the closer comes into put out the fire
Team members are asked to show their desire
The batter takes his stance
Giving the third base coach a glance
Three balls, two strikes
Hoping for one he likes
An umpire's call
"A ball"
First base on a walk
Second base on a balk
With runner intact, the crowd reacts
When a feared slugger comes to bat
Wishing for a seventh game remembrance
Broadcasters giving those not in attendance
"It's a long fly,
and Aloha, means good-bye"!

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Sports Briefs----

Warriors' Stephen Curry feted in Oakland as first unanimous NBA MVP
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29872863/stephen-curry-expected-win-nba-mvp-award

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman Comments on Raiders' Potential Relocation
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2639319-las-vegas-mayor-carolyn-goodman-comments-on-raiders-potential-relocation

Peyton Manning turns up in Miami to help Ryan Tannehill
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/05/09/peyton-manning-turns-up-in-miami-to-help-ryan-tannehill/

Adrian Peterson: Vikings have 'good chance' to 'win everything' in 2016
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15493298/adrian-peterson-minnesota-vikings-good-chance-win-title

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California Nuts Briefs---

Gov. Brown issues order making some conservation mandates permanent
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article76553182.html 

Tech boom spurs San Jose housing, office, retail towers
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29870047/tech-boom-spurs-san-jose-housing-office-retail

Bride’s uncle arrested on grand theft charges for allegedly stealing rose park trellis
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article76753322.html

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“Gimme that Wine”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

Yao Ming opens St. Helena wine tasting room
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/northbay/napacounty/5580754-181/yao-ming-napa-valley-wine-tasting

Rhone Rangers Announce San Francisco & Los Angeles Events
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=168529

Yountville hotels, V Marketplace sell for record $148 million
http://napavalleyregister.com/business/yountville-hotels-v-marketplace-sell-for-record-million/article_d75c669e-c26d-5119-ba80-18f090c193c1.html

Buy It Now: EBay Decides It's Time to Sell Wine
http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/53123

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

      1502 - Columbus embarked on his 4th voyage with 150 men in 4 caravels. He reached the coast of Honduras after 8 months and passed south to Panama (1503). He returned to Spain Nov 7, 1504, after suffering a shipwreck at Jamaica.
    1647 - Peter Stuyvesant arrived in New Amsterdam to become governor.
    1690 - In the first major engagement of King William's War, British troops from Massachusetts seize Port Royal in Acadia (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) from the French.
    1792 - The Columbia River, Oregon, is discovered by Captain Robert Gray.  He nor the people in its time of discovery knew its value. Gray was a fur trader, and actually poor at it, as he died a pauper.  He had discovered and named much geography along the Pacific Northwest. http://www.oregonpioneers.com/gray.htm
        1846 - Congress declares war against Mexico at request of the President James Polk. At the time, the entire United States Army numbers only about 6,000 officers and men, eventually expanded to nearly 10,000 by war’s end. The bulk of the force needed to prosecute the war will come from the uniformed volunteer militia (forerunners of today’s National Guard) of the various states.
    1855 - The oldest gambling house in San Francisco, the El Dorado closed forever because of a new state anti-gambling law.
    1858 - Minnesota entered the Union as the thirty-second state. Known as the "Land of Ten Thousand Lakes," Minnesota is the northern terminus of the Mississippi River's traffic and the westernmost point of an inland waterway that extends through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Atlantic Ocean. The Ojibwe and the Dakota were among the Native peoples who first made this land their home.  White settlement of the area began in 1820 with the establishment of Fort Snelling. In 1849, Minnesota became a US territory. The building of railroads and canals brought a land boom during the 1850s, and Minnesota’s population swelled from only 6000 in 1850 to more than 150,000 by 1857. Chiefly a land of small farmers, Minnesota supported the Union in the Civil War and supplied large quantities of wheat to the Northern armies. Originally settled by migrants of British, German, and Irish extraction, Minnesota saw a major influx of Scandinavian immigrants during the nineteenth century. Minnesota’s "Twin Cities" — Minneapolis and St. Paul — grew out of Fort Snelling, the center of early US settlement.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may11.html
    1862 - The Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia was destroyed by Confederate forces to prevent its capture by Union troops. The Virginia was built from the salvaged hull of the USS Merrimack. Two months prior to its destruction, the Virginia fought several Union ships in what became known as "The Battle of Hampton Roads."
    1864 - Attempting to head off Union General Phil Sheridan's cavalry advance on Richmond, one of the South's greatest military strategists, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry encountered the Federals at Yellow Tavern, Virginia. It was a surprise encounter, not only changing the direction of the war, but Stuart was mortally wounded in the battle and died the following day. The loss of one of its most colorful and effective cavalry leaders was a great loss to the South. It also marked the first time that Sheridan, with Gen. Grant’s approval, was making his first independent cavalry action, surprising Stuart considerably. The battle did accomplish the delay of the Federal advance, delaying it long enough for the Confederates to strengthen the defense at Richmond, and Sheridan was forced to change his plans. In the wake of advancing Union troops in the Peninsular Campaign.  The South was forced to destroy the valuable vessel and its manufacturing facility to prevent its capture by Union forces. The “History Channel” has an excellent series about these two warships.
    1867 - Jefferson Davis is released on bail from prison where, since being captured on 10 May 1865, he was awaiting a treason trial that never would take place for having been President of the Confederacy during the US Civil War: the charges would be dropped on 25 December 1868.    
    1885 - Jazz musician Joseph Nathan "King" Oliver (d. 1938) born Aben, Louisiana. 
http://www.redhotjazz.com/kingo.html
http://www.michaelminn.net/armstrong/sessions1/s231005.html
http://www.amazon.com/King-Olivers-Creole-Jazz-Band/dp/B000005R5L
#moreAboutThisProduct
    1888 - American songwriter Irving Berlin (d. 1898) was born in Russia. He wrote nearly 1,000 songs, and had his first hit in 1911 with "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Many of his best songs came from such Broadway musicals as "Call Me Madam" and "Annie Get Your Gun." Berlin also composed film scores, and many of his stage musicals were adapted for the screen. Among the best known of his songs are "White Christmas," "God Bless America" and "There's No Business like Show Business."
    1889 - Major Joseph Wham and group of soldiers, carrying a military payroll of $29,000, were attacked by a dozen outlaws near Fort Thomas, Arizona Territory. After wounding more than half the soldiers and driving off the rest, the outlaws simply walked away with the entire payroll. A posse of lawmen rounded up various suspects who were later charged with the sensational robbery. Most of these suspects were Mormons with political connections and the accused men were defended by the famed lawyer Marcus Aurelius Smith. Major Wham and his men were unable to identify any of the dozen defendants in court and they were all acquitted. It was widely claimed that political pressure from the acting governor allowed the thieves to go free.
    1894 - During the Depression of 1893, the Pullman Company handed out a hefty round of wage cuts.  Though the cuts ate up 25 percent to 40 percent of workers' take-home pay, the company refused to lower its rents. In May of 1894, a group of workers implored company chief George Pullman to redress the situation. Pullman promptly fired three of the workers. The rail managers won the support of Federal and state troops, which led to a long and violent skirmish in early July.  Pullman and the rail managers soon prevailed over the strikers, many of whom were subsequently barred from working in the rail industry.
    1894 - Birthday of Martha Graham (d. 1991), Alleghany, PA.  She is generally recognized as the woman who most embodied the movements of modern dance; who influenced American modern dance as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Her career spanned more than 60 years during which she created almost 200 works from solos to feature presentations.
http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/graham.html
http://marthagraham.org/center/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/graham_m.html
    1895 - Birthday of American composer William Grant Still (d. 1978) in Woodville, MS.  Perhaps the best-known African-American classical composer of the 20th century still wrote 8 symphonies, 7 operas and more than 100 other works, included such important works as “Levee Land” and “Sahdji”. As the ClassicalMusicDetroit.com site notes, he was a pioneer in many ways: as the first Black person to conduct a major American symphony (the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in 1936), to have an opera (“Troubled Island” in 1949) produced by a major company, and to have an opera performed on television (“Bayou Legend,” posthumously, in 1981). 
http://www.williamgrantstill.com/wgsbiography/
http://www.shs.starkville.k12.ms.us/mswm/MSWritersAndMusicians/
musicians/WGStill.html
http://odyssey.lib.duke.edu/sgo/findaid/stillbio.html
    1898 - Sailors and Marines from USS Marblehead and USS Nashville cut trans-oceanic cable near Cienfuegos, Cuba, isolating Cuba from Spain. The operation was performed close to shore, directly under the guns of the enemy soldiers garrisoned at Cienfuegos. For more than an hour the small boats with their crews of brave young sailors and Marines endured the dangerous waters, the ever present mines, the crash of large rounds, and small arms fire, to continue their task. On the U.S.S. Nashville, sailors who had not been selected for the mission continued to man the ship's big guns to cover their comrades. Finally, one of the cables was cut through. The shore end was dropped in place and one of the boats from the Marblehead towed the other end out to sea where it was dropped after another large section of cable was removed to make it harder to repair. Finally, the second cable was cut. A remaining smaller cable on the shore would have to be ignored. The badly battered sailors and Marines, in small boats barely able to remain afloat, turned to return to their warships. As they fought the seas, the enemy began finding their range. Large shells dropped closer and closer to the small sailing ships. For a few minutes, it looked as if all of the volunteers would be lost. In the distance, Lieutenant Dillingham turned the Nashville towards the shore, steaming ahead and then turning again to place his warship between the enemy on the shore and the retreating smaller boats of the cable cutting crews and their Marine guards. It was a bold act, exposing his ship to intense enemy fire, but for the badly battered volunteers, it meant the difference between life and death. The wounded were quickly taken aboard the warships for medical care. Many of the men had suffered wounds, several of them repeated wounds, and at least three were critical or fatal. All 52 men, 26 from each of the Marblehead and the Nashville, were subsequently awarded Medals of Honor.
    1901 - Birthday of Gladys Rockmore Davis (d. 1967), NYC.  U.S. artist who has works hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
http://www.rogallery.com/davis_gladys_rockmore/davisgr-biography.htm
http://www.artnet.com/artist/652212/gladys-rockmore-davis.html
    1904 – Cy Young’s 23-inning no-hit string ended. The streak included two innings on April 25, six on April 30, a perfect game on May 5 and six innings today.
    1910 - Glacier National Park in Montana was created by an act of Congress. With over one million acres, the park is home to many animals, including wolves, grizzly bears, and mountain lions, and over 1400 plant species.
    1912 - Birthday of Phil Silvers (d. 1985), Brooklyn.  Comedian and actor, who had one of the most popular 1950's TV show where he starred as Sgt. Bilko in “You’ll Never Get Rich.” He was on Broadway before and after, and had a second TV show.  He was also sought as a guest on many early 1960 TV shows for his humor. As a "Did you Know?” Silvers wrote the lyrics for Frank Sinatra's "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)."
    1916 - Einstein's Theory of General Relativity was presented.
    1927 - Birthday of Mort Sahl in Montreal, Quebec,  Comedian, political satirist, beatnik, Sahl was one of a kind -- a razor-sharp trailblazer of biting, tremendous popular satirical comedy in the 1950s and 1960s.
http://www.mortsahl.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0756340/
    1927 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded by Louis B. Mayer. The first Oscars were for films produced in the first year of the Academy: 1927-28. (For the first 6 years, the awards were for films produced during the fiscal year, not the calendar year.) Among the first winners were Emil Jannings and Janet Gaynor for acting, and “Wings” for Best Picture. 
    1928 - WGY-TV in Schenectady, New York began the first schedule of regular TV programs. WGY offered programming to the upstate New York audience three times a week using the electronic scanning method. 
    1937 - Battle of the Bands between Benny Goodman and Chick Webb, Savoy, NY. 
    1938 - Birthday of American composer Harvey Sollberger, Cedar Rapids, IA.
http://music.ucsd.edu/public/fm_music_directory.php?
cmd=fm_music_directory_detail
& query_Full_Name=+Harvey+Sollberger&query_Active_Status=Faculty
http://grace.evergreen.edu/~arunc/texts/music/wolpe/wolpe/Harvey_
Sollberger.html
http://www.newworldrecords.org/album.cgi?rm=view&album_id=17524
    1941 - Rock singer Eric Burdon, who first came to fame with the Animals during the 1960's British invasion, was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. The Animals hit the top of the charts in both Britain and North America in the summer of 1964 with "House of the Rising Sun." When the original group broke up in 1966, Burdon began billing the band as Eric Burdon and the Animals. They began playing psychedelic songs, such as "San Franciscan Nights" and "Sky Pilot." In 1970, Eric Burdon fronted the funk band War for their number-one hit "Spill the Wine," but by the following year Burdon and War had parted company.
    1942 – “Go Down, Moses” by William Faulkner is published.
http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~egjbp/faulkner/faulkner.html
    1944 - *WAUGH, ROBERT T., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 339th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Tremensucli, Italy, 11-14 May 1944. Entered service at: Augusta, Maine. Birth: Ashton, R.I. G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. In the course of an attack upon an enemy-held hill on 11 May, 1st Lt. Waugh personally reconnoitered a heavily mined area before entering it with his platoon. Directing his men to deliver fire on 6 bunkers guarding this hill, 1st Lt. Waugh advanced alone against them, reached the first bunker, threw phosphorus grenades into it and as the defenders emerged, killed them with a burst from his Tommy gun. He repeated this process on the 5 remaining bunkers, killing or capturing the occupants. On the morning of 14 May, 1st Lt. Waugh ordered his platoon to lay a base of fire on 2 enemy pillboxes located on a knoll which commanded the only trail up the hill. He then ran to the first pillbox, threw several grenades into it, drove the defenders into the open, and killed them. The second pillbox was next taken by this intrepid officer by similar methods. The fearless actions of 1st Lt. Waugh broke the Gustav Line at that point, neutralizing 6 bunkers and 2 pillboxes and he was personally responsible for the death of 30 of the enemy and the capture of 25 others. He was later killed in action in Itri, Italy, while leading his platoon in an attack.
    1945 - McKlNNEY, JOHN R., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, Company A, 123d Infantry, 33d Infantry Division. Place and date: Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 11 May 1945. Entered service at: Woodcliff, Ga. Birth: Woodcliff, Ga. G.O. No.: 14, 4 February 1946. Citation: He fought with extreme gallantry to defend the outpost which had been established near Dingalan Bay. Just before daybreak approximately 100 Japanese stealthily attacked the perimeter defense, concentrating on a light machinegun position manned by 3 Americans. Having completed a long tour of duty at this gun, Pvt. McKinney was resting a few paces away when an enemy soldier dealt him a glancing blow on the head with a saber. Although dazed by the stroke, he seized his rifle, bludgeoned his attacker, and then shot another assailant who was charging him. Meanwhile, 1 of his comrades at the machinegun had been wounded and his other companion withdrew carrying the injured man to safety. Alone, Pvt. McKinney was confronted by 10 infantrymen who had captured the machinegun with the evident intent of reversing it to fire into the perimeter. Leaping into the emplacement, he shot 7 of them at pointblank range and killed 3 more with his rifle butt. In the melee the machinegun was rendered inoperative, leaving him only his rifle with which to meet the advancing Japanese, who hurled grenades and directed knee mortar shells into the perimeter. He warily changed position, secured more ammunition and reloading repeatedly, cut down waves of the fanatical enemy with devastating fire or clubbed them to death in hand-to-hand combat. When assistance arrived, he had thwarted the assault and was in complete control of the area. Thirty-eight dead Japanese around the machinegun and 2 more at the side of a mortar 45 yards distant was the amazing toll he had exacted single-handedly. By his indomitable spirit, extraordinary fighting ability, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, Pvt. McKinley saved his company from possible annihilation and set an example of unsurpassed intrepidity.
    1946 - Jack Barry, a familiar face on TV game shows, hosted "Juvenile Jury" on WOR Radio in New York City. The show was such a hit after five weeks on the air that it debuted on the Mutual Broadcasting System coast to coast. Maybe Barry became a bit too familiar in 1959. It was "Twenty One", the enormously popular show that Barry hosted, that led to the Quiz Show Scandal that rocked television and the U.S. Congress.
    1947 - B.F. Goodrich, from Akron, Ohio, announced the development of the tubeless tire.    
    1946 - *TERRY, SEYMOUR W., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company B, 382d Infantry, 96th Infantry Division. Place and date: Zebra Hill, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945. Entered service at: Little Rock, Ark. Birth: Little Rock, Ark. G.O. No.: 23, 6 March 1946. Citation: 1st Lt. Terry was leading an attack against heavily defended Zebra Hill when devastating fire from 5 pillboxes halted the advance. He braved the hail of bullets to secure satchel charges and white phosphorus grenades, and then ran 30 yards directly at the enemy with an ignited charge to the first stronghold, demolished it, and moved on to the other pillboxes, bombarding them with his grenades and calmly cutting down their defenders with rifle fire as they attempted to escape. When he had finished this job by sealing the 4 pillboxes with explosives, he had killed 20 Japanese and destroyed 3 machineguns. The advance was again held up by an intense grenade barrage which inflicted several casualties. Locating the source of enemy fire in trenches on the reverse slope of the hill, 1st Lt. Terry, burdened by 6 satchel charges launched an l-man assault. He wrecked the enemy's defenses by throwing explosives into their positions and he accounted for 10 of the 20 hostile troops killed when his men overran the area. Pressing forward again toward a nearby ridge, his 2 assault platoons were stopped by slashing machinegun and mortar fire. He fearlessly ran across 100 yards of fire-swept terrain to join the support platoon and urge it on in a flanking maneuver. This thrust, too, was halted by stubborn resistance. 1st Lt. Terry began another 1 -man drive, hurling grenades upon the strongly entrenched defenders until they fled in confusion, leaving 5 dead behind them. Inspired by this bold action, the support platoon charged the retreating enemy and annihilated them. Soon afterward, while organizing his company to repulse a possible counterattack, the gallant company commander was mortally wounded by the burst of an enemy mortar shell. By his indomitable fighting spirit, brilliant leadership, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, 1st Lt. Terry made possible the accomplishment of his unit's mission and set an example of heroism in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
    1950 - After fans boo him for misplaying a ball, Ted Williams makes an inappropriate digital gesture three times (once to left, once to center, and once to right) to the Red Sox fans sitting in the outfield stands. During his next at bat, as the booing continues, the Splendid Splinter becomes the Splendid Spitter as Williams steps out of the box to spit at fans to show his displeasure.
    1953 - A devastating F5 tornado tore through downtown Waco, Texas. 114 people were killed and 597 were injured. Total damage was $41 million. Another tornado (F4) virtually leveled 15 square blocks of San Angelo, Texas with 13 people killed and 159 injured.
    1953 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "The Song from Moulin Rouge," Percy Faith Orchestra/Felicia Sanders.
    1954 - Birthday of American composer Jane Ellen
http://www.classical-composers.org/comp/ellen
    1955 - Top Hits
“Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” - Perez Prado
“Unchained Melody” - Les Baxter
“Honey-Babe” - Art Mooney
“In the Jailhouse Now” - Webb Pierce
    1955 - With the help of an Ernie Banks' grand slam, the Cubs snap the Dodgers' 11-game winning streak, 10-8. The bases-filled homer will be Mr. Cub’s first of five on the year.
    1957 - The Everly Brothers make their debut on "Grand Ole Opry" in Nashville, Tenn.
    1957 - It's safe bet that San Francisco will have a Major League team playing next season, The Chronicle learned. The team will probably be the New York Giants, who will transfer their long standing feud with the Brooklyn Dodgers to California. The present plan calls for the Giants to move into Seals Stadium for the 1958 season and into a 70,000-seat stadium at South Basin near Hunters Point in 1959 that would become Candlestick Park.
    1959 - Twenty-three-year-old Carol Burnett made her musical comedy debut in “Once upon a Mattress” at the Phoenix Theatre in New York City. Only eight years later, the talented comedienne would star in her own Emmy-winning TV musical variety program. 
    1959 - Dave "Baby" Cortez' "The Happy Organ" hits #1
    1961 - President Kennedy approves sending 400 Special Forces troops and 100 other US military advisers to South Vietnam. On the same day, he orders the start of clandestine warfare against North Vietnam to be conducted by South Vietnamese agents under the direction and training of the CIA and US Special Forces troops. Kennedy's orders also called for South Vietnamese forces to infiltrate Laos to locate and disrupt communist bases and supply lines there.
    1963 - Top Hits
“I Will Follow Him” - Little Peggy March
“Puff the Magic Dragon” - Peter, Paul & Mary
“If You Wanna Be Happy” - Jimmy Soul
“Lonesome 7-7203” - Hawkshaw Hawkins
    1964 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "My Guy," Mary Wells. It is the first No. 1 hit for the Motown label.
    1964 - Britain's latest hot group, the Rolling Stones, are nonetheless refused service for lunch at Bristol, England's Grand Hotel because they're not properly attired in jackets and ties. The next day, the Daily Express calls them "the ugliest group in Britain" and remarks, "The Rolling Stones gather no lunch."
    1965 - Liza Minnelli opened in "Flora the Red Menace". The musical ran for only 87 performances at the Alvin Theatre.
    1966 - The 1.6 inch snow at Chicago, IL, was their latest measurable snow of record. Previously the record was 3.7 inches on the 1st and 2nd of May set in 1940.
    1968 - "The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees," which was certified gold upon its release in April, enters the LP charts at #80. In one week, pushed by the singles "Daydream Believer" and "Valleri," it will jump to #3.
    1969 - Beginning of one of the most infamous battles that signified the growing frustration with America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Attempting to seize Dong Ap Bia Mountain, American troops repeatedly scaled the hill over a 10-day period, often engaging in bloody hand-to-hand combat with the North Vietnamese. After finally securing the objective, American military decision makers chose to abandon it and the North Vietnamese retook it shortly thereafter. The heavy casualties in the struggle to take the hill inspired the name “Hamburger Hill.”
    1970 - Sammy Davis, Jr. marries his third wife, Altovise Gore, a dancer in his current Broadway hit “Golden Boy.” The Rev. Jesse Jackson presides; the couple would remain married for the rest of Davis' life.
    1970 – The group, The Chairmen of the Board, not Sinatra, received a gold record for the hit "Give Me Just a Little More Time." The Detroit group recorded three other songs in 1970, with moderate success. 
    1970 - Lubbock, Texas was struck by a tornado rated F5 on the Fujita Scale. 26 people were killed and 500 were injured. The total damage was estimated at $135 million which was considered conservative. 600 apartment units were destroyed along with 430 houses. 250 businesses were damaged or destroyed. 80 percent of the windows in the downtown area were broken.
    1970 - The triple album "Woodstock" soundtrack is released on Cotillion Records. The document of the epochal rock festival will go gold within two weeks.  The soundtrack L.P. to the original Woodstock festival was released. The three record set featured many of the top Rock artists of the time, including Jimi Hendrix, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Joe Cocker and The Who.
    1971 - Top Hits
“Joy to the World” - Three Dog Night
“Never Can Say Goodbye” - The Jackson 5
“I Am...I Said” - Neil Diamond
“How Much More Can She Stand” - Conway Twitty
    1972 - The Giants trade Willie Mays to the Mets for right-hander Charlie Williams and $50,000 cash. The ‘Say-Hey Kid’, who is clearly past his prime, returns the city where he brilliantly began his Hall of Fame career.
    1972 - John Lennon makes another celebrated guest appearance on ABC-TV's “Dick Cavett Show” and casually tells Cavett that he believes the FBI is wiretapping his phone in order to gather evidence for his deportment. As it turns out, he's entirely correct.
    1973 - Charges against Daniel Ellsberg for his role in the "Pentagon Papers' case were dismissed. 
    1974 - Steely Dan's "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" is released.
    1974 - Three Dog Night's "The Show Must Go On" reaches #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #1 on the Cashbox best sellers chart. The song turns out to be the band's final Top Twenty hit and their last Gold single.
    1974 - Elvis Presley plays a show at the Los Angeles Forum, attended by members of Led Zeppelin who were also in town for a gig. Upon learning of his famous fans, Elvis turns to his backup band after a somewhat sloppy opening number and jokingly admonishes them: "Wait a minute. Let's see if we can start together, fellas, because we’ve got Led Zeppelin out there. Let's try to look like we know what we’re doing." Afterwards, the band meets Elvis backstage and is more than a little star struck; Zeppelin manager Peter Grant and Elvis spontaneously swap their expensive watches, and then Robert Plant, just before the meeting breaks up, finally summons up the courage to sing Elvis' 1956 hit "Love Me." Elvis joins in for a few bars.
    1975 - Eighty thousand turn out in New York's Central Park to celebrate the end of the Vietnam War.
    1978 - Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer became the Marine Corps' first female general officer. She was assigned Director of Information, Headquarters Marine Corps. Brewer had been Director of the Women Marines, the seventh and last women's director, succeeding Colonel Sustad on 1 February 1973. During Brewer's tenure, the Women Marine Corps was disbanded and all women were made a part of the regular Marine Corps.
    1979 - Top Hits
“Reunited” - Peaches & Herb
“Music Box Dancer” - Frank Mills
“Stumblin’ In” - Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman
“Backside of Thirty” - John Conlee
    1979 - Peaches and Herb, the sweet-singing soul duo, receive a platinum record for "Reunited," a Number One hit for four weeks.
    1981 - Heavyweight boxing challenger Gerry Cooney left former champ Ken Norton on the ropes and unconscious after 54 seconds of the first round at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 
    1981 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Cats" opened in London. The composer had to mortgage his house to help finance the $1.1 million production. Since then, "Cats" has grossed more than one billion dollars in more than a dozen countries, including Canada. On May 11th, 1989, "Cats" became London's longest-running musical, playing its 3,358th performance. And on January 29th, 1996, it set the world record for longevity with its 6,138th performance. 
    1985 - Scott Brayton turned in the fastest lap ever at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Brayton was traveling at 214.199 MPH in the third lap of qualifying. Duane ‘Pancho’ Carter grabbed the pole position for that years Indianapolis 500. Carter entered the history books with a speed of 212.583 MPH for four qualifying laps around the 2.5 mile track at Indy. 
    1987 – The first heart-lung transplant was performed by Dr. Bruce Reitz of the Stanford University School of Medicine.
    1987 - Top Hits
“(I Just) Died in Your Arms” - Cutting Crew
“Looking for a New Love” - Jody Watley
“With or Without You” - U2
“The Moon is Still Over Her Shoulder” - Michael Johnson
    1988 - Unseasonably warm weather prevailed in the southwestern U.S. Reno, NV, reported a record high of 89 degrees.
    1988 - On the occasion of his 100th birthday, legendary Tin Pan Alley songwriter Irving Berlin is serenaded by a crowd of fans singing his standards outside his New York apartment.  Celebrities from Frank Sinatra to Isaac Stern, Ray Charles to Leonard Bernstein paid musical tribute to Irving Berlin on his 100th birthday. The Carnegie Hall concert ended with all the performers singing "There's No Business like Show Business." Berlin himself did not attend but members of his family were there.    
    1989 - Roy Orbison was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York. Eric Clapton presented the award to Orbison's widow, Barbara.
    1990 - Unseasonably cold weather followed in the wake of a spring storm in the north central U.S. Seven cities reported record low temperatures for the date, including Madison, WI with a reading of 29 degrees. Thunderstorms produced severe weather in Kansas, Oklahoma and the northern half of Texas. Severe thunderstorms spawned four tornadoes in Texas.
    1990 - Singer Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba," "Donna") receives a posthumous star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
    1994 - The Justice Department approved Novell's plans to purchase WordPerfect Corporation on this day in 1994. Novell also bought Borland's spreadsheet business, in an attempt to create a suite of office applications to compete with Microsoft Office. Novell's ownership of WordPerfect lasted less than two years.
    1997 - U.S. box office receipts to date for the film “Jerry McGuire,” starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr., had climbed to $150,850,000; “The English Patient” had brought in $76,259,531. Top box office producer on this date, however, was George Lucas's re-released science fiction classic, “Return of the Jedi,” which had a reported accumulated U.S. box office gross of $308,453,687; trailing behind it was the re-released “The Empire Strikes Back,” with an accumulated gross of $290,158,751. 
    1997 - IBM's supercomputer Deep Blue made chess history by defeating Gary Kasparov, the first time a reigning world champion had been bested in a match by a machine. 
    1999 - After two years of work, Columbia Records released Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin's fifth album, a self-titled cross-over to English. This album was a calculated decision, and the album's first hit, "Livin' La Vida Loca" shot to the top of the charts. Martin's third and fourth solo efforts went gold. His fourth album "Vuelve" had sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. 
    2003 - In his last at-bat on the current home stand, 38-year-old first baseman Rafael Palmeiro drives a 3-2 fastball thrown by Indian hurler David Elder to become the second player this season and 19th overall to hit his 500th career home run. The 370-foot shot over the right field wall at The Ballpark in Arlington makes Raffy the first native of Cuba to reach the coveted milestone.
    2004 - After missing yesterday's game to become to become an American citizen, Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, much to the delight of the Fenway faithful, leads his teammates out of the dugout waving an American flag to celebrate his first day as a citizen of the United States. As the 31-year native Dominican Republic comes to bat, “America” by Neil Diamond is played over the PA system.
    2004 - In Pittsfield, MA, city officials and historians released a bylaw dating back to 1791 which they believe is the earliest written reference to baseball. The 213-year-old document, used to protect the windows in the town's new meeting house by prohibiting anyone from playing baseball within 80 yards of the building, was uncovered by baseball historian John Thorn while doing research on the origins of baseball.  
    2005 - Strong thunderstorms affected parts of the U.S. Great Plains. In the Hastings, Nebraska area, significant severe weather occurred, including very large hail, damaging winds and widespread flooding. Radar estimated rainfall accumulation locally exceeded 10 inches.
    2006 - Hideki Matsui’s streak of playing in every game since starting his MLB career with the Yankees in 2003 ends at 518 games as the left fielder breaks his left wrist attempting to make a diving catch. Going back to his days in Nippon Pro Baseball, he had appeared in 1,768 consecutive games after playing in 1,250 straight for the Yomiuri Giants from 1993-2002. The 31-year Japanese star established the big league record for consecutive games to start a career, surpassing Hall of Fame infielder Ernie Banks, who played in 424 contests at the start of his playing days with Cubs from 1953-56.
    2012 - A memorial service was held for San Diego Chargers' Junior Seau; his #55 was retired by the team. Seau committed suicide with a gunshot wound to the chest earlier this year at the age of 43. Later studies by the NIH concluded that Seau suffered from chronic Traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a type of chronic brain damage that has also been found in other deceased former NFL players.  On April 22, 2015 a final settlement was reached between players and the NFL in the case involving head injuries. Terms include payments to be made by the NFL for $75 million for "baseline medical exams" for retired players, $10 million for research and education, as well an uncapped amount for retirees "who can demonstrate that they suffer from one of several brain conditions covered by the agreement", with total payments expected to exceed $1 billion over 65 years.  In September 2015, researchers with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Boston University announced that they had identified CTE in 96 percent of NFL players that they had examined and in 79 percent of all football players.  On March 14, 2016, the top NFL official, Jeff Miller, publicly admitted that there is a link between football and CTE at the roundtable discussion on concussions. 
    2015 - Two art works set world records at a Christie's auction in New York, with Pablo Picasso's painting 'Women of Algiers Version O' selling for $160 million and Alberto Giacometti's sculpture 'Pointing Man' selling for $141.3 million.