01 May - The Empire State Building is dedicated in New York City in 1931

 

The Empire State Building, one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world, was indeed dedicated on May 1, 1931, in New York City. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in the world, a title it held for nearly 40 years until the construction of the World Trade Center's North Tower in 1970.

The dedication of the Empire State Building marked the culmination of an ambitious construction project that began in 1930. Designed by architects Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates, the building rises 1,454 feet (443.2 meters) tall, including its antenna mast, and it has 102 floors. It was constructed during the height of the Great Depression and served as a symbol of hope and resilience during challenging times.

The dedication ceremony on May 1, 1931, was attended by numerous dignitaries and officials, including President Herbert Hoover, who pressed a button in Washington, D.C., to turn on the building's lights remotely. The Empire State Building quickly became an iconic symbol of New York City and a landmark recognized around the world.

Today, the Empire State Building remains an iconic fixture of the New York City skyline and a popular tourist attraction, known for its Art Deco architecture, observation decks offering panoramic views of the city, and its role in popular culture, including its appearance in numerous films, television shows, and works of literature.

 

01 May - Pope Pius V

 

Pope Pius V, born Antonio Ghislieri, was the 225th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born on 17 January 1504, in Bosco Marengo, Italy, and he died on 01 May 1572.

Pius V is remembered as one of the most influential popes of the Counter-Reformation era. He ascended to the papacy in 1566 and served until his death in 1572. During his papacy, Pius V worked vigorously to combat heresy, uphold Catholic doctrine, and strengthen the authority of the papacy.

One of Pius V's most significant accomplishments was his role in the Council of Trent, a landmark ecumenical council of the Catholic Church that addressed the issues raised by the Protestant Reformation. Pius V implemented the reforms mandated by the Council of Trent, including measures to combat corruption within the Church, promote clerical discipline, and improve the education and training of clergy.

Pius V is also remembered for his efforts to defend Europe against the Ottoman Empire. He organized the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic states, which achieved a decisive victory over the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and established the feast of Our Lady of Victory, later renamed the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, to commemorate the event.

Pope Pius V was canonized as a saint by Pope Clement XI in 1712. He is venerated as a patron saint of liturgists, and his feast day is celebrated on April 30th.

01 May - Lei Day (Hawaii)

 

Lei Day is indeed celebrated in Hawaii on May 1st each year. It is a special day dedicated to the Hawaiian tradition of making and giving leis, which are floral garlands or wreaths commonly associated with Hawaiian culture.

Lei Day festivities in Hawaii typically include various events and activities, such as lei-making workshops, cultural performances, music and dance performances, parades, and competitions. People across the islands come together to create and exchange leis, sharing the spirit of aloha and celebrating the beauty of Hawaiian culture and traditions.

Lei Day has been officially celebrated in Hawaii since 1927, when it was established by Don Blanding, a poet and writer, as a way to promote the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing leis. It has since become an annual tradition that showcases the vibrant colors, fragrances, and symbolism of leis, which are often used to welcome visitors, celebrate special occasions, and honor loved ones.

Lei Day is a joyful celebration that highlights the spirit of hospitality, friendship, and connection that is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture. It is a time to appreciate the beauty of nature, express gratitude, and strengthen bonds within the community through the giving and receiving of leis.

01 May - The planet Pluto is officially named 1930

 

Pluto was officially named on May 1, 1930, by an 11-year-old English schoolgirl named Venetia Burney. Venetia suggested the name "Pluto" after the Roman god of the underworld, and her idea was eventually accepted. The name was announced on May 1, 1930, the 11th birthday of Venetia Burney, and it has been used ever since to refer to the distant dwarf planet at the edge of our solar system.

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the criteria for classifying celestial bodies, which led to Pluto being reclassified as a "dwarf planet" rather than a full-fledged planet. According to the new definition, a planet is defined as a celestial body that orbits the Sun, is spherical in shape due to its own gravity, and has cleared its orbital path of other debris.

Pluto meets the first two criteria, as it orbits the Sun and is spherical in shape. However, it does not meet the third criterion because its orbit overlaps with that of other objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the solar system beyond Neptune populated by icy bodies.

As a result, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet, along with other similar objects in the Kuiper Belt. While it remains an important and fascinating object of study, it is no longer considered one of the traditional planets in our solar system.