Today in History

Today is Thursday, May 21, the 141st day of 2015. There are 224 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On May 21, 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh landed his Spirit of St. Louis monoplane near Paris, completing the first solo airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 33 1/2 hours.

On this date:

In 1471, King Henry VI of England died in the Tower of London at age 49.

In 1542, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto died while searching for gold along the Mississippi River.

In 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.

In 1892, the opera "Pagliacci," by Ruggero Leoncavallo, premiered in Milan, Italy.

In 1924, in a case that drew much notoriety, 14-year-old Bobby Franks was murdered in a "thrill killing" carried out by University of Chicago students Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb (Bobby's cousin).

In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean as she landed in Northern Ireland, about 15 hours after leaving Newfoundland.

In 1941, a German U-boat sank the American merchant steamship SS Robin Moor in the South Atlantic after the ship's passengers and crew were allowed to board lifeboats.

In 1945, actors Humphrey Bogart, 45, and Lauren Bacall, 20, were married at Malabar Farm in Lucas, Ohio (it was his fourth marriage, her first, and would last until Bogart's death in 1957).

In 1955, Chuck Berry recorded his first single, "Maybellene," for Chess Records in Chicago.

In 1972, Michelangelo's Pieta, on display at the Vatican, was damaged by a hammer-wielding man who shouted he was Jesus Christ.

In 1982, during the Falklands War, British amphibious forces landed on the beach at San Carlos Bay.

In 1990, CBS aired the final episode of the sitcom "Newhart" in which it was revealed in the closing scene that the entire series about a Vermont innkeeper played by Bob Newhart had been a dream of Bob Hartley, the psychologist played by Newhart in his previous show, "The Bob Newhart Show."

Ten years ago: Afleet Alex regained his footing and his drive after being cut off by Scrappy T in a frightening collision and breezed home to win the Preakness Stakes; Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo finished third. The Belgian film "The Child" won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Comedic actor Howard Morris died in Hollywood at age 85.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama directed the government to set the first-ever mileage and pollution limits for big trucks and to tighten rules for future cars and SUVs. Citing overwhelming evidence that North Korea had sunk a South Korean warship, the Cheonan, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned the reclusive communist state of consequences.

One year ago: With outrage mounting over veterans' health care, President Barack Obama declared that misconduct alleged at VA hospitals would not be tolerated. China signed a $400 billion gas deal with Russia, binding Moscow more closely to Beijing amid international sanctions for Russian actions in Ukraine. Wendell Scott became the first African-American driver to be elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Today's Birthdays: Rhythm-and-blues singer Ron Isley (The Isley Brothers) is 74. Rock musician Hilton Valentine (The Animals) is 72. Actor Richard Hatch is 70. Musician Bill Champlin is 68. Singer Leo Sayer is 67. Actress Carol Potter is 67. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., is 64. Actor Mr. T is 63. Music producer Stan Lynch is 60. Actor Judge Reinhold is 58. Actor-director Nick Cassavetes is 56. Actor Brent Briscoe is 54. Actress Lisa Edelstein is 49. Actress Fairuza Balk is 41. Rock singer-musician Mikel Jollett (Airborne Toxic Event) is 41. Rapper Havoc (Mobb Deep) is 41. Actor David Ajala (TV: "Black Box") is 29. Actress Ashlie Brillault is 28. Actor Scott Leavenworth is 25. Actress Sarah Ramos is 24.

Thought for Today: "Originality does not consist in saying what no one has ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think yourself." -- James Stephens, Irish poet and novelist (1882-1950).

Copyright 2015, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.