Today’s Highlights

On May 15, 1970, less than two weeks after the shooting at Kent State University, two Black students at Jackson State College in Mississippi were killed and 12 were injured when police opened fire during student demonstrations.

On this date

1928: The Walt Disney cartoon character Mickey Mouse appeared for the first time in front of a public audience in a test screening of the short “Plane Crazy.” (Mickey made his formal screen debut with the release of “Steamboat Willie” six months later.)

1940: Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald’s fast-food restaurant, in San Bernardino, California.

1972: Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace was shot and left paralyzed while campaigning for president in Laurel, Maryland, by Arthur H. Bremer, who would serve 35 years in prison for the attempted murder.

2015: A jury sentenced Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death for the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that killed three and left more than 260 wounded.

2020: President Donald Trump formally unveiled a coronavirus vaccine program called “Operation Warp Speed,” to speed development of COVID-19 vaccines and quickly distribute them around the country.

Today’s birthdays

Counterculture icon Wavy Gravy is 89. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson is 85. Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett is 72. Rapper Melle Mel is 64. Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz is 58. Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith is 56. Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis is 50. Tennis player Andy Murray is 38.