Moments in Time: Christopher Columbus
The History Channel
On May 18, 1974, India became the world's sixth nuclear power after successfully detonating its first nuclear weapon, a fission bomb similar in power to the American atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in Japan. The test occurred on the anniversary of the Buddha's enlightenment.
On May 19, 1836, Cynthia Ann Parker, at about 9 or 10 years old, was kidnapped by Comanche, Kiowa and Caddo Native Americans in Texas. She was adopted into the Comanche tribe and later married a chief, by whom she had three children. Parker lived with the Comanches until Texas Rangers recaptured her and forced her to return to live among whites again.
On May 20, 1506, Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid, Spain, at the age of 55, still erroneously believing that he had reached Asia. His last months were spent in poor health with what modern doctors suspect was Reiter's syndrome, and making futile attempts to recover his titles and wealth from King Ferdinand.
On May 21, 1994, the Flavr Savr tomato made its first appearance in grocery stores. Engineered to delay ripening, it was the first genetically modified food product approved for human consumption in the U.S. and was priced at 70 cents more per pound than its more conventional counterparts.
On May 22, 2004, Michael Moore's documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11," a sharp critique of George W. Bush's foreign policy decisions, won the Palme d'Or, the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
On May 23, 1783, following his own prediction that he would enter eternity courtesy of a lightning bolt, American Colonial patriot James Otis did indeed pass away when lightning found him as he stood in a friend's doorway. According to the Boston Gazette, he "expired without a groan."
On May 24, 1915, Thomas Edison announced his invention of the telescribe, a device designed to allow businessmen to record telephone conversations by combining a telephone receiver with his phonograph. Though it was highly praised at first, it failed to catch on and was withdrawn from the market.
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