May 14th: A Global Tapestry of Unity, Pride, and Parental Love

Today is a day of celebration across the globe, bringing together cultures in unique and meaningful ways.

A large portion of the world celebrates Mother's Day. This day is dedicated to honoring mothers and mother figures, acknowledging their sacrifices and contributions with love and gratitude.

In Liberia, it's National Unification Day - a holiday dedicated to the unity and equality of its diverse population, promoting peace after a history of social and economic disparity between the indigenous tribes and the Americo-Liberians.

Meanwhile, Malawi honors Kamuzu Day, a tribute to their first President, Hastings Kamuzu Banda. His leadership saw Malawi transition from colonial rule to independence, and the day is marked with various civic ceremonies.

For Belarus, it's a moment of national pride as they celebrate the Day of the National Emblem and Flag. Belarusians display their flag, a red and green design featuring a traditional pattern, symbolizing their rich history and cultural heritage.

Romania deviates from the norm, choosing this day to celebrate Father's Day, an opportunity to honor the paternal figures that enrich their lives.

Whether it's a display of national pride, a tribute to a historical figure, or a universal celebration of parents, May 14th is truly a global day of unity and love.  

Some historic events in arts and sciences that took place on May 14th:

Science

In 1796, Edward Jenner carried out his now famous experiment on eight-year-old James Phipps, giving birth to the science of immunology. Jenner introduced material taken from a cowpox sore on the hand of a milkmaid into the boy, who then demonstrated immunity to smallpox.

In 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition departed from Camp Dubois and began its historic journey by traveling up the Missouri River. The expedition brought back a wealth of scientific data, including descriptions and samples of previously unknown plants and animals.

In 1973, NASA launched Skylab, the United States' first space station. It fell back to Earth in July 1979, with debris striking Western Australia.

In 1998, the last episode of the TV series "Seinfeld" aired. Although not a scientific event, the show's conclusion had a massive cultural impact, and it often incorporated scientific (especially psychological and sociological) concepts into its plotlines.

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law banning commercial sports betting, paving the way for states to legalize, regulate and tax the activity. This ruling led to significant developments and studies in the field of statistics and probability related to sports betting.

Arts

In 1927, the first television broadcast by Philo Farnsworth took place in his San Francisco workshop. Farnsworth is often credited as the inventor of television.

In 1931, the Swedish film "The Phantom Carriage," directed by Carl Theodore Dreyer, premiered. The film is considered a landmark in Swedish cinema and influenced later directors such as Ingmar Bergman.

In 1955, the American film "Blackboard Jungle" premiered in Cannes, France. The film is notable for its portrayal of American schools and for popularizing rock 'n' roll music, specifically Bill Haley & His Comets' song "Rock Around the Clock."

In 1962, American jazz singer Priscilla White, better known as Peggy Lee, won a Grammy for the song "I'm a Woman." She is known for her vocal and songwriting contributions to popular music.

In 1977, the Eagles' single "Hotel California" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is one of the band's most well-known and often quoted.