FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Today is Friday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2014. There are 222 days left in the year.

1430 ― Joan of Arc captured by Burgundians at Compiegne, who sell her to the British

1774 ― Chestertown tea party occurs (tea dumped into Chester River)

1785 ― Benjamin Franklin announces his invention of bifocals

1867 ― Jesse James’ gang robs bank in Richmond, Mo. (two die, $4,000 taken)

1934 ― Wallace Carothers manufactures first nylon (polymer 66)

1945 ― Winston Churchill resigns as British P.M.

1949 ― Federal Republic of [West] Germany proclaimed (Republic Day)

1958 ― Mao Tse-tung starts ``Great leap forward" movement in China

1969 ― The Who release the rock opera “Tommy"

1990 ― Cost of rescuing savings & loan failures is put at up to $130 billion