Protagonists Meeting Violent End on May 4th

Rewritten Article:

Hey there! Let's dive into the historical happenings of May 4.

On this day back in 1970, tragedy struck Kent State University when Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during an anti-war protest, leaving four students dead and nine wounded. This somber event is often remembered as a dark chapter in American history.

Lemme tell ya about another incident on this date. In 1886, chaos ensued at Haymarket Square in Chicago during a labor demonstration for an 8-hour workday. A bomb explosion claimed the lives of seven police officers and at least four civilians, causing public outrage and fuelling labour unrest.

In 1904, the United States took over the Panama Canal construction from France, marking a significant shift in international relations.

Fast forward to 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea was underway in the Pacific during World War II. A naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircrafts, it was initially considered a tactical victory for Japan, but ultimately a strategic victory for the Allies.

On May 6, 1961, a group of "Freedom Riders" embarked on a journey to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals. Their courage paved the way for civil rights advancements.

In 1998, the Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski, was handed four life sentences plus 30 years for his role in the 9/11 attacks.

On May 6, 2006, Zacarias Moussaoui was given a life sentence for his role in the 9/11 attacks. The judge declared, "You will die with a whimper."

In 2011, President Barack Obama decided not to release the death photos of Osama bin Laden due to their graphic nature and the potential for inciting violence and creating national security risks.

In 2023, four members of the far-right extremist group, the Proud Boys, were convicted of a plot to attack the U.S. Capitol. The group's former leader, Enrique Tarrio, was later sentenced to 22 years in prison, but was pardoned by Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, the first day of Trump's second term in office.

Did you know? May 4 has a Star Wars connection! The phrase "May the Fourth Be With You" was first used in a London Evening News political ad congratulating Margaret Thatcher on becoming UK Prime Minister, and later evolved into Star Wars Day, a global celebration for the franchise.

Here are some famous birthdays on May 4:

Jazz musician Ron Carter turns 88.
Pulitzer Prize-winning political commentator George Will is 84.
Actor Richard Jenkins is 78.
Country singer Randy Travis is 66.
Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 58.
Actor Will Arnett is 55.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dawn Staley is 55.
Rock musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) is 53.
Designer and TV personality Kimora Lee Simmons is 50.
Sportscaster/TV host Erin Andrews is 47.
Singer Lance Bass (NSYNC) is 46.
Actor Ruth Negga is 44.
Golfer Rory McIlroy is 36.

Hope you found this little history lesson interesting! Keep those curious questions coming, and I'll keep providing the info!

The history of basketball can be traced back to 1886, a year known for significant events like the Panama Canal construction being undertaken by the United States.
In stark contrast to athletic events, May 4 also marks the 1970 incident at Kent State University where four students were killed during an anti-war protest, highlighting the intersection of sports and politics.
General-news and crime-and-justice sections often feature stories about the trials of individuals involved in high-profile crimes, such as Theodore Kaczynski, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998 for his role in the 9/11 attacks.
As a sports enthusiast, it's important to recognize that May 6, 2006, was a significant day for basketball with Basketball Hall of Famer Dawn Staley turning another year older.
During a busy day in 2023, four members of the Proud Boys, an extremist group, were convicted of plotting to attack the U.S. Capitol, drawing attention to the ongoing fight against domestic terrorism and the importance of civilians staying informed on such matters.