1862

Mexican troops repelled French attacks on the Puebla de los Ángeles in the Battle of Puebla, also known as the Battle of Cinco de Mayo.

1961

Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. became America’s first space traveler during a 15-minute suborbital flight aboard Mercury capsule Freedom 7.

1973

Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby, the first of his Triple Crown victories, in 1:59.4.

1981

Irish Republican Army hunger-striker Bobby Sands died at age 27 at the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland on his 66th day without food.

2016

Lonnie Franklin Jr. was convicted of 10 counts of murder in the “Grim Sleeper” serial killings in Los Angeles.