May 21 in Pop Culture History
1863 – Organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan.
1955 – George B. Hansburg of Walker Valley, N.Y. was issued a patent (#2,793,036) for his invention of an improved pogo stick.
1975 – Carol Burnett was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1977 – Gemini (Broadway Play) Opened on May 21, 1977 and Closed: September 6, 1981
1977 # 1 Hit May 21, 1977 – June 10, 1977: Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
1980 – Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back was released in theaters. At the time, we just called it The Empire Strikes Back.
1980 – The Coyote finally caught the Road Runner. link
1980 – President Jimmy Carter declared a state of emergency at Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York – a toxic dumping site for Hooker Chemicals and Plastics.
1983 # 1 Hit May 21, 1983 – May 27, 1983: David Bowie – Let’s Dance
1992- The first episode of The Real World aired on MTV
1992- The final episode of MacGyver aired on ABC
1992 – Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for the last time.
1994 # 1 Hit May 21, 1994 – August 5, 1994: All-4-One – I Swear
1999- All My Children actress Susan Lucci finally received an Emmy award for her role as Erica Kane. She had been previously nominated a record 18 times with no win.
2005 – The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opened at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey.
2008 – David Cook won American Idol season seven.
2001 – Radio broadcaster/preacher Harold Camping predicted that the world would end today. It didn’t.
2011 # 1 Hit May 21, 2011 – July 8, 2011: Adele – Rolling in the Deep
