May 14: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On May 14, 2021, humanity reached further into the cosmos as China successfully touched down its Zhurong rover on the surface of Mars.
Quick Facts for May 14
- Zodiac sign: Taurus
- Day of year: 134
About May 14
May 14 serves as a bridge between the rugged exploration of our own continent and the vast mysteries of deep space. In 1804, the legendary Lewis and Clark Expedition commenced its epic trek through the American West, beginning with a departure from Camp Dubois. This journey would forever change the understanding of the North American landscape. Centuries later, the spirit of discovery shifted toward the stars when the United States launched Skylab, its very first space station, in 1973.
Beyond the frontier, the day holds deep cultural and political significance globally. It is a day of sovereignty for Paraguay, which celebrates its Independence Day, and a moment of spiritual tradition at the Izumo-taisha Shrine during its Grand Festival. Whether through the lens of historical expeditions or modern celestial achievements, May 14 continues to be a date defined by the human drive to move forward.
Holidays & Observances on May 14
- Independence Day (Paraguay)
- Hastings Banda's Birthday (Malawi)
- National Unification Day (Liberia)
- The first day of Izumo-taisha Shrine Grand Festival. (Izumo-taisha)
Fun & National Days on May 14
- Dance Like a Chicken Day — Embrace your inner poultry and bust some goofy moves today!
- National Brioche Day — Treat yourself to some delicious, buttery French bread to celebrate.
- National Buttermilk Biscuit Day — Warm up your morning with a flaky, homemade buttermilk biscuit.
- "The Stars and Stripes Forever" Day
- Ascension
- International Dylan Thomas Day
- Underground America Day
On This Day in History
- 1097 — During the First Crusade, the significant Siege of Nicaea began as forces moved toward their goal.
- 1607 — English settlers founded James Fort, which later evolved into the historic Jamestown settlement in Virginia.
- 1610 — Following the assassination of King Henry IV of France, Louis XIII ascended to the French throne.
- 1796 — A landmark moment in medical history occurred when Edward Jenner performed the very first smallpox inoculation.
- 1804 — The historic Lewis and Clark Expedition began its massive journey as William Clark and his men departed.
- 1842 — The world's first illustrated weekly news magazine, The Illustrated London News, released its debut edition.
- 1925 — Virginia Woolf published Mrs Dalloway, which became one of her most celebrated and influential literary works.
- 1948 — Israel was formally established as an independent nation, immediately leading to the start of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
- 1955 — The Warsaw Pact was signed by eight nations within the Communist bloc to create a mutual defense treaty.
- 1973 — The United States took a massive step in space exploration by launching its first space station, Skylab.
- 2021 — In a major space milestone, China successfully landed its Zhurong rover on the red surface of Mars.
Famous Birthdays on May 14
- 1727 — Thomas Gainsborough, A renowned English painter celebrated for his masterful portraits and landscapes.
- 1771 — Robert Owen, An influential Welsh businessman known for his pioneering work in social reform.
- 1897 — Sidney Bechet, A legendary American jazz musician known for his virtuosity on the saxophone and clarinet.
- 1944 — George Lucas, The visionary filmmaker and creator of the massive Star Wars cinematic universe.
- 1969 — Cate Blanchett, An acclaimed Australian actress recognized for her incredible range and multiple awards.
- 1984 — Mark Zuckerberg, The influential American computer programmer and co-founder of the social media giant Facebook.