Mickey Mouse, Jets, and the First McDonald's!
Get ready for May 15th, a day packed with milestones that changed how we play, travel, and eat! This date isn't just any day; it's when cartoon icons got their start and inventors pushed the boundaries of speed. Think of it as history’s ultimate mix tape—a little bit of war, a lot of fun, and some super speedy science!
Did you know that on this day, a little mouse made his very first cartoon appearance, years before he got his famous red shorts? Also, the world was getting a taste for speed as the first British jet plane took to the skies! Plus, we trace the humble beginnings of a worldwide food empire that started with just a few tasty menu items.
What Happened on This Day
The World's First Machine Gun Is Patented
Imagine a giant, super-fast-shooting cannon! Back in 1718, a British lawyer named James Puckle patented something called the 'Puckle Gun.' It was crank-operated and could fire lots of bullets quickly—the ancestor of the modern machine gun! It was even designed to shoot square bullets at Turks and round ones at Christians—a very strange idea for warfare back then. Luckily, it didn't catch on, but it was a huge step toward modern weapons technology.
Cadets Fight in the Battle of New Market
Talk about a tough field trip! During the American Civil War, Confederate General John C. Breckinridge made a tough call: send in the young cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to fight the Union Army. Many of these boys were only about 15 years old! They charged bravely into battle, helping secure a Confederate victory. This is one of the only times a student body has fought as an organized unit in US history. Ouch!
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Mickey Mouse's First Film Screening
Before he was a global superstar, Mickey Mouse made his debut in a short, silent film called 'Plane Crazy'! Walt Disney and his team created this cartoon, showing Mickey trying to fly an airplane. Even though it was screened on May 15th, it didn't premiere officially right away. Still, this was the first time the world saw the ears that would become a symbol for fun and animation magic across the planet!
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The First McDonald's Opens For Business
It started not with golden arches, but with barbecue! In San Bernardino, California, brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened 'McDonald's Bar-B-Q.' They quickly realized that people loved their fast, cheap hamburgers and fries way more than their barbecue. They streamlined their whole kitchen setup to serve food faster than anyone else—creating the first *fast-food* system! This tiny restaurant was the seed for the biggest food chain in the world.
Britain's First Jet Plane Flies High
Get ready for speed! On this day, the Gloster E. 28/39, Britain's very first aircraft powered by a jet engine, took off for the first time. Before this, planes used loud, propeller-spinning engines, like a giant fan. A jet engine works by sucking in air, squishing it, lighting it on fire, and blasting it out the back—that's what gives jets their amazing, futuristic speed. This flight kicked off the 'Jet Age' of aviation!
Learn moreFun Facts About May 15
- The first McDonald's was a barbecue restaurant before it switched to burgers!
- The first jet plane flight marked the beginning of the amazing 'Jet Age'!
- Mickey Mouse's first film, 'Plane Crazy,' actually came out *after* 'Steamboat Willie' in theaters.
- The Puckle Gun was designed to shoot both round and square bullets!
A Look Back in Time
May 15th often falls during a time of big global shifts. In 1940, Europe was deep into World War II, which made the test flight of Britain’s new jet plane a huge secret and a symbol of hope for the future of air power. In the US, 1941 was a year of growing industry and the start of the fast-food revolution. Meanwhile, the Civil War battle in 1864 showed how desperate times led to using young students in combat.
Born on This Day
L. Frank Baum
He was the amazing author who dreamed up the magical land of Oz! L. Frank Baum wrote 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' introducing us to Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. He loved creating fantasy worlds, and his stories still bring joy to millions today.
Pierre Curie
Pierre Curie was a brilliant French scientist who loved studying mysterious rays coming from certain materials. Working with his wife, Marie, he helped discover two new elements: polonium and radium! For this pioneering work on radioactivity, he shared the famous Nobel Prize in Physics.
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright was a real-life history-maker! She became the first woman to ever serve as the United States Secretary of State, which is like the country's top diplomat. She traveled all over the world, working to help make peace and keep countries friendly with one another.
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith is a football superstar! He played in the NFL as a running back, rushing for more yards than anyone else in the history of the professional league. He helped his team, the Dallas Cowboys, win three Super Bowls. Talk about running to success!