TO: Our Favorite Subscribers FROM: The NDC Team SUBJECT: How to Properly Celebrate May 21, 2026
Greetings!
Four celebrations to focus on for the 21st:
1. THE OFFICE PAPER TRAIL - It is officially National Memo Day. Long before instant messaging channels and endless email threads, the humble paper memo ruled the world. To celebrate, your assignment today is to keep all communication short, sweet, and strictly to the point.
2. THE HOSPITALITY HEROES - Happy National Waitstaff Day! Today we shine a massive spotlight on the restaurant servers who keep the coffee hot, remember our weird custom orders, and hustle on their feet all day. If you eat out today, make sure to show them some extra kindness (and a generous tip!).
3. THE LEGACY OF COMPASSION - Today is American Red Cross Founder’s Day, marking the anniversary of the day Clara Barton founded the organization in 1881. Barton was a visionary trailblazer who risked everything to care for others. It’s a great day to learn about her legacy or support a local blood drive.
4. THE PERFECT SPRING DESSERT - When the workday is over, clock out with a bowl of National Strawberries and Cream Day. Simple, elegant, and perfectly sweet—it’s the ultimate taste of mid-May.
THE MAY 21st CHALLENGE: Send a highly efficient, old-school "memo" to a colleague, be exceptionally nice to a restaurant server, and eat at least one strawberry.
Roller coaster designer who was responsible for the revival of wooden roller coasters in the 1960s
1912
John Curtis Gowan
Born: May 21, 1912
Died: December 2, 1986
Psychologist whose studies of gifted children were the foundation of analysis of highly intelligent adolescence.
1920
Forrest White
Born: May 21, 1920
Died: November 22, 1994
Co-founder of the Music Man Company and known for his association with Fender Musical Instrument Corporation.
1923
Bettye Danoff
Born: May 21, 1923
Died: December 22, 2011
Professional golfer and a co-founder of the LPGA Tour.
1952
Mr. T
Born: May 21, 1952
Actor and retired professional wrestler The A-Team and Clubber Lang in film Rocky III.
1955
Stan Lynch
Born: May 21, 1955
Original drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
1972
The Notorious B.I.G.
Born: May 21, 1972
Died: March 9, 1997
Also known as Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G. an American rapper and songwriter. He's widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time with his vivid storytelling, sharp lyrics, and effortless flow.
2026
Glenn Hammond Curtiss
Born: May 21, 2026
Died: July 23, 1930
Founder of the U.S. aviation industry and inventor of the hydroplane.
2026
Ella Stewart Udall
Born: May 21, 2026
Died: May 27, 1937
The first telegraphist in Arizona territory.
Historical Events on May 21
Events that occurred on May 21 throughout history
1819
The first bicycles are introduced in the U.S.
The first bicycles, called swift walkers, are introduced in the U.S. . The bicycles were pedal-less, requiring riders to move quickly by pushing their feet against the ground.
1846
The first 1st steamship arrives in Hawaii
The first 1st steamship, The Cormorant, arrives in Honolulu, Hawaii. The steamship allowed for regular, faster service for cargo, mail, and travelers, fostering the development of "Boat Days" in Honolulu, where crowds gathered for arrivals.
1861
Richmond, Virginia, is designated the Confederate Capital.
The Confederate Capital is moved from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia.
1881
The U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association is established.
The U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association is established in NYC, New York, to regulate the growing game of lawn tennis in the U.S. and organize formal championships. Today, the organization is know as the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) and governing body for tennis and runs the U.S. Open.
1881
Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross
Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. to provide disaster relief and emergency aid in peacetime, not just war.
1908
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde premieres in Chicago.
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde premieres in Chicago and becomes the first horror movie in the U.S.
1917
Leo Pinckney is the first American drafted during WWI.
Leo Pinckney is the first American drafted during WWI shortly after the U.S. declared war and enacted the Selective Service Act of 1917.
1918
The U.S. House of Representatives passes amendment allowing women to vote.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes amendment allowing women to vote. While the 19th Amendment legally barred states from denying the vote based on sex, millions of women of color, particularly in the South, continued to face discriminatory voting restrictions for decades until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1934
Oskaloosa, Iowa, becomes the first city in the U.S. to fingerprint its citizens.
Oskaloosa, Iowa, becomes the first city in the U.S. to fingerprint its citizens. The bill was aimed at identifying kidnapped children and stopping criminals during the Great Depression.
1980
Jean Marie Butler becomes the first woman to graduate from U.S. Coast Guard.
Jean Marie Butler becomes the first woman to graduate from U.S. Coast Guard. She was also the first woman to graduate from any U.S. armed forces service academy.
1992
Johnny Carson hosts his last episode of the Tonight Show after 30 seasons.
Johnny Carson hosts his last episode of the Tonight Show after 30 seasons. Over 50 million people tuned it to watch the episode. No guests were on the final show, instead focusing on highlights from 4,531 episodes.
2005
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka, opens opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka, opens opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The roller coaster was officially closed on November 10, 2024.
2017
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their final show.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their final show at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The circus started in 1919 when the Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth.
2019
Washington is the first state to legalize human composting.
Washington state becomes the first state to legalize human composting. The process involves placing a body in a vessel with materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw to break down into nutrient-rich soil. The soil produced can be returned to families for use in planting trees, flowers, or for conservation efforts, providing a way to return nutrients back to the land.
CLOSING COMMENTS: In the spirit of National Memo Day, let the record show that we have officially updated our emails. We know a few stakeholders preferred the old, dry templates, but the creative department has ruled that adding a bit of flavor and wit makes the daily workflow 100% better. Plus, it is one heck of a lot more fun around here!!
Back to the previous email format with a few small changes, including the format of this email as the template going forward. And, a very specific thank you to those with feedback in the past 24 hours (you know who you are). We appreciate each one of you and all of your kind words. Thank you!
Onward we go!
Whether you are checking your lottery tickets today or just checking the fridge for a snack, the calendar has delivered a list full of high-value goals and sweet rewards.
Your May 20th "Premium Tier" Guide to Celebration:
The Big Dream: It is National Be a Millionaire Day! Today is all about adopting a "millionaire mindset." Start thinking about your long-term financial goals, look into a new investment, or just daydream about what you’d buy first. (A private jet? A lifetime supply of pizza?)
The Best Friends: Happy National Rescue Dog Day. Today, we celebrate the incredible, resilient shelter pups who change our lives for the better. If you have a rescue dog, give them an extra treat today. If you don't, it’s a great day to support your local shelter!
The Binge Watch: Grab the remote for National Streaming Day. From your favorite nostalgic sitcoms to the newest true-crime documentaries, today celebrates the tech that put an entire library of entertainment right at our fingertips.
The Real Heroes: We also observe Emergency Medical Services for Children Day, honoring the specialized medical professionals who ensure our littlest citizens get the highest quality emergency care when they need it most.
The May 20th Challenge: Write down one financial goal that feels a little "too big," and treat yourself to a streaming marathon tonight with a fruit slush in hand.
The 4th First Lady of the U.S. (President James Madison).
1818
William Fargo
Born: May 20, 1818
Died: August 3, 1881
Co-founder of Wells Fargo and American Express.
1851
Rose Hawthorne Lathrop
Born: May 20, 1851
Died: July 9, 1926
Daughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne, who became a nun and founded the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne.
1851
Emile Berliner
Born: May 20, 1851
Died: August 3, 1929
Inventor of the Gramophone record.
1908
Francis Raymond Fosberg
Born: May 20, 1908
Died: September 25, 1993
A botanist who helped develop the standards for studying coral reefs and the study of islands.
1908
James Stewart
Born: May 20, 1908
Died: July 2, 1997
An actor who earned great distinction in film, including The Murder Man (1935), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
1913
William Hewlett
Born: May 20, 1913
Died: January 12, 2001
Co-founder of Hewlett-Packard.
1918
Edward B. Lewis
Born: May 20, 1918
Died: July 21, 2004
American biologist, geneticist, and academic who helped found and develop the field of evolutionary developmental biology.
1921
Hal Newhouser
Born: May 20, 1921
Died: November 10, 1998
MLB pitcher who was known as "Hurricane Hal."
1946
Cher
Born: May 20, 1946
Award-winning musician and actress who has been dubbed the "Goddess of Pop."
1965
Ted Allen
Born: May 20, 1965
American television host and author.
Historical Events on May 20
Events that occurred on May 20 throughout history
1639
Dorchester, Massachusetts, forms the first school to be funded by local tax dollars.
Dorchester, Massachusetts, forms the first school to be funded by local tax dollars. Known as the Mather School, the school was funded by a tax on property owners on Thompson Island and was free to all children in the town.
1734
The first jockey club was formed in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Jockey Club, often cited as the first in the U.S., was established in Charleston around 1734. The club was composed of elite horse owners and breeders, notes the Steeplechase of Charleston.
1861
Kentucky proclaims its neutrality during the Civil War.
The state of Kentucky proclaims its neutrality, which will last until September 3 when Confederate forces enter the state. Following September 3, the state legislature passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of Confederate forces and pledged loyalty to the Union.
1862
President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act.
President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, opening 84 million acres of public land to settlers. This legislation was meant to encourage any U.S. citizen to live on, cultivate, and improve the land for five years, paying only a small registration fee.
1873
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for blue jeans with copper rivets
Straus and Davis were granted U.S. Patent No. 139,121 for "Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings", marking the birth of blue jeans with copper rivets. Originally designed for workwear, this invention grew into the iconic 501 brand.
1891
The first public display of Thomas Edison's prototype kinetoscope occurs.
The first public display of Thomas Edison's prototype kinetoscope. Approximately 150 members of the National Federation of Women's Clubs viewed a 3-second film through a peephole in a pine box.
1949
The U.S. Armed Forces Security Agency is established.
The U.S. Armed Forces Security Agency was established to eliminate duplication of effort between military branches after WWII. In 1952, the agency reorganized and became known as the National Security Agency (NSA).
1969
U.S. troops capture Hill 937 in Vietnam.
U.S. troops capture Hill 937, also known as Hamburger Hill, in Vietnam.
A Note on "Streaming Day": In the spirit of National Streaming Day, we like to think we’ve upgraded our email style from "basic cable" to "premium 4K streaming." We know change can require a little adjustment to the new settings. We also know there have been mistakes, we won't make excuses, and we’re committed to bringing you the highest quality every evening!
