Today’s Highlights

On May 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven in a ceremony in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.

On this date

1924: J. Edgar Hoover was named acting director of the Bureau of Investigation (later known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation) by President Calvin Coolidge.

1933: Book burnings were held in 34 cities across Germany, targeting authors whose ideologies were in conflict with Nazism.

1940: During World War II, German forces began invading the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and France. On the same day, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigned, and Winston Churchill formed a new government.

1994: Nelson Mandela was inaugurated, becoming the first Black president of South Africa.

1994: The state of Illinois executed serial killer John Wayne Gacy, 52, for the murders of 33 young men and boys.

2014: Michael Sam was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft, becoming the first openly gay player drafted by a National Football League team.

Today’s birthdays

Basketball Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun is 83. Musician-songwriter Donovan is 79. Sen. Fashion designer Miuccia Prada is 76. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., is 66. Singer-activist Bono (U2) is 65. Model Linda Evangelista is 60. Actor Kenan Thompson is 47.