✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 126th day of the year

May 6

A look at May 6 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Gerd Kanter and Sigmund Freud, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♉ZodiacTaurus ◈BirthstoneEmerald ❀Birth flowerLily of the Valley
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2004

    The Last One (Friends)

    The final episode of the television sitcom Friends is aired.

    17th and 18th episodes
  2. 1998

    Steve Jobs

    Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. unveils the first iMac.

    American businessman and inventor
  3. 1988

    Widerøe Flight 710

    All thirty-six passengers and crew are killed when Widerøe Flight 710 crashes into Mt. Torghatten in Brønnøy.

    1988 aviation accident in
  4. 1976

    1976 Friuli earthquake

    The 6.5 Mw Friuli earthquake affects Northern Italy with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme), leaving 900–978 dead and 1,700–2,400 injured.

    Extreme earthquake in Italy
  5. 1975

    60th anniversary of the Armenian genocide commemorations in Beirut

    During a lull in fighting, 100,000 Armenians gather in Beirut for the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Armenian genocide.

    History
  6. 1942

    World War II

    World War II: On Corregidor, the last American forces in the Philippines surrender to the Japanese.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1915

    Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition

    Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition: The SY Aurora breaks loose from its anchorage during a gale, beginning a 312-day ordeal.

    1914–17 British Expedition led
  8. 1882

    Thomas Henry Burke (civil servant)

    Thomas Henry Burke and Lord Frederick Cavendish are stabbed to death by Fenian assassins in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

    Irish civil servant (1829–1882)
  9. 1782

    Grand Palace

    Construction begins on the Grand Palace, the royal residence of the King of Siam in Bangkok, at the command of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke.

    Royal residence in Bangkok,
  10. 1757

    Christopher Smart

    English poet Christopher Smart is admitted into St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics in London, beginning his six-year confinement to mental asylums.

    English poet (1722–1771)
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Famous birthday twins

Born on May 6

Gerd Kanter

b. 1979

Estonian discus thrower

Sigmund Freud

b. 1856

Austrian neurologist and psychoanalyst

Tony Blair

b. 1953

British politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Dries Mertens

b. 1987

Belgian footballer

George Clooney

b. 1961

American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Orson Welles

b. 1915

American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Frans Timmermans

b. 1961

Dutch politician and diplomat, First Vice President of the European Commission

Maximilien Robespierre

b. 1758

French politician

Deaths

  • 2013Giulio Andreotti, Italian journalist and politician, 41st Prime Minister of Italy
  • 1992Marlene Dietrich, German-American actress and singer
  • 1949Maurice Maeterlinck, Belgian-French poet and playwright, Nobel Prize laureate
  • 1910Edward VII, of the United Kingdom
  • 1882Thomas Henry Burke (civil servant), Irish civil servant
  • 1859Alexander von Humboldt, German geographer and explorer

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Dominic Savio
  • —Christian feast day: Evodius of Antioch (Roman Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: François de Laval
  • —Christian feast day: Jacinto Vera (Roman Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Lucius of Cyrene
  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Maria Caterina Troiani
  • —Christian feast day: Peter Nolasco
  • —Christian feast day: Petronax of Monte Cassino

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