Today in History: Declaration of the State of Israel

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on May 14 throughout history:

1. 1607 – Establishment of Jamestown, Virginia

On May 14, 1607, English settlers established Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, marking the beginning of British colonization in the New World.

2. 1643 – Louis XIV Becomes King of France

Following the death of his father, Louis XIII, on May 14, 1643, Louis XIV ascended to the French throne at the age of four. His reign would become the longest of any monarch in European history.

3. 1796 – Edward Jenner Administers First Smallpox Vaccination

On May 14, 1796, English physician Edward Jenner administered the first successful smallpox vaccination by inoculating eight-year-old James Phipps with material from a cowpox sore, laying the foundation for modern immunology.

4. 1804 – Lewis and Clark Expedition Departs

On May 14, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed from Camp Dubois, Illinois, embarking on an expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and the Pacific Northwest.

5. 1915 – May 14 Revolt in Portugal

On May 14, 1915, a politico-military uprising led by Álvaro de Castro and General Sá Cardoso occurred in Lisbon, aiming to overthrow the dictatorship of General Pimenta de Castro and restore constitutional governance.

6. 1948 – Declaration of the State of Israel

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel in Tel Aviv, leading to immediate recognition by the United States and subsequent regional conflict.

7. 1955 – Signing of the Warsaw Pact

On May 14, 1955, the Soviet Union and seven of its European satellites signed a mutual defense treaty known as the Warsaw Pact, solidifying the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War.

8. 1961 – Freedom Riders Attacked in Alabama

On May 14, 1961, civil rights activists known as Freedom Riders were violently attacked by mobs in Anniston and Birmingham, Alabama, highlighting the intense resistance to desegregation in the American South.

9. 1973 – Launch of Skylab

On May 14, 1973, the United States launched Skylab, its first space station, into orbit, marking a significant milestone in American space exploration.

10. 2022 – Buffalo Supermarket Mass Shooting

On May 14, 2022, a racially motivated mass shooting occurred at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, resulting in ten fatalities and highlighting ongoing issues of gun violence and racism in the United States.