1904 – The United States commenced the construction of the Panama Canal. On May 4, 1904, the US formally assumed control of the canal property, inheriting from the French a depleted workforce and a sprawling collection of buildings, infrastructure, and equipment, many of which were in poor condition. To oversee the construction, a US government commission known as the Isthmian Canal Commission (ICC) was established. This commission was granted control over the Panama Canal Zone, within which the United States exercised sovereignty. The ICC was tasked with reporting directly to Secretary of War William Howard Taft and was specifically instructed to avoid the inefficiencies and corruption that had plagued the French efforts 15 years prior.
1942 – On May 4th, 1942, during World War II, the Battle of the Coral Sea unfolded, a pivotal naval and air engagement that thwarted a Japanese invasion force’s advance towards the strategic Port Moresby in New Guinea. The conflict commenced with an attack by aircraft from the United States aircraft carrier USS Yorktown on Japanese naval forces stationed at Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands. The Japanese forces had invaded Tulagi the previous day, setting the stage for this decisive battle.
1953 – Ernest Hemingway, the renowned American author, triumphed with the Pulitzer Prize for his novella, “The Old Man and the Sea.” Compose between December 1950 and February 1951, this remarkable work stands as Hemingway’s final significant fictional contribution during his lifetime. The novella narrates the captivating tale of Santiago, an elderly fisherman, as he embarks on an arduous and prolonged struggle to capture a colossal marlin.
1959 – The Grammy Awards were first presented by NARAS in Los Angeles in 1959, when 28 prizes were given. Winners included Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and the Kingston Trio.
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