America’s most famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, has been held continuously since 1875 at Louisville, Kentucky, and has become one of the country’s largest civic celebrations (and betting opportunity). Not bad when you consider that the event lasts only two minutes! Modeled on England’s Epsom Derby, it is for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and was originally run at a mile and a half (now at a mile and a quarter). Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark organized the first race, and since he wanted the occasion to be festive, he gave a Derby breakfast for his friends before the first running (mint juleps anyone?). Dances, parties, and carnival-like gaiety have long been a feature of Derby week. The Derby is the first event in the “Triple Crown” series, followed by the Preakness (the second Saturday after the Derby) and the Belmont Stakes (the fifth Saturday after the Derby).
TODAY’S ALMANAC
Every Year
1570s
1700s
1760s
1870s
1880s
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
- 1950: GWENDOLYN BROOKS BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO WIN A PULITZER PRIZE
- 1958: EXISTENCE OF VAN ALLEN RADIATION BELTS ANNOUNCED
1960s
- 1961: HARPER LEE WON PULITZER PRIZE FOR HER NOVEL, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
- DIED 1965: SPIKE JONES (BAND LEADER, MUSICIAN, & COMEDIAN)
- 1967: ELVIS PRESLEY MARRIED PRISCILLA BEAULIEU IN LAS VEGAS
- BORN 1967: TIM MCGRAW (COUNTRY SINGER)
1990s
COURTESY www.almanac.com
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