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 inventing 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 on September 6, 1981

#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 in Soup or Sonic. 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.

#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.

#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.

#1 Hit May 21, 2011 – July 8, 2011: Adele – Rolling in the Deep

#1 Hit May 21, 2022 – June 3, 2022: First Class – Jack Harlow