Bonnie & Clyde Go ‘Down’ in History

Good morning and happy June 1^st!  As we wrap up the month of May it is interesting to note some memorable events that history that occurred during the last week of May.

On May 23^rd, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City opened.  After 14 years and 27 deaths, the bridge was finished and connected the cities of Brooklyn and New York for the first time ever in history.  It was the largest suspension bridge ever built and was considered the ‘eight wonder of the world.’

On May 24^th, 1964, Senator Barry Goldwater suggested that the United States use an atomic bomb to end the Vietnam War.  Needless to say that created a firestorm of criticism that labeled Goldwater an “extremist” and it followed him through the election which resulted in a landslide victory by Lyndon Johnson.

On May 25^th, 1977, the first George Lucas film opened in theaters across America.  Star Wars was an immediate blockbuster with ground breaking special effects and it launched a whole new pop culture phenomenon.  The movie earned 7 academy awards and grossed close to $1 billion in revenues and it launched a highly successful 35-year Star Wars industry.

On May 26^th, 1907, John Wayne was born in Winterset, IA.  His real name was Marion Michael Morrison and his parents moved to California when he was 6 years old.  He played football at USC and during college got a job working as a prop man on a studio set.  Roles as an ‘extra’ in western films led to lead roles in western and war films and over time he appeared in nearly 100 movies.  At the age of 72 he died of cancer, but John Wayne was considered one of the most popular actors of all time.

And finally, on May 23^rd, 1934, the notorious criminals Bonnie and Clyde were shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police, taking on 168 bullets.  The infamous duo were responsible for killing 13 people, including 9 police officers, during their dozens of robberies of banks, gas stations and grocery stores.  Many people had a romantic view of the couple as “Robin Hood” –like folk heros; especially after the success of the 1967 film staring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

There you have it, big events in history for this past week and that is our Bottom of our News on this Friday, June 1^st, 2012.

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