May 14

On May 14, 1796, English physician Edward Jenner tested his cowpox-based inoculation on eight-year-old James Phipps. Jenner’s experiment aimed to protect against deadly smallpox by exposing patients to a milder related virus. The successful procedure laid the scientific foundation for the field of immunology. His work led to widespread vaccination campaigns, eventually eradicating smallpox in the 20th century. Jenner’s breakthrough demonstrated the power of empirical research and preventative medicine. The 1796 inoculation is celebrated as a milestone in public health and disease control.

On May 14, 1804, William Clark departed Camp Dubois with 42 men to rendezvous with Meriwether Lewis at St. Charles, Missouri. This marked the official start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition along the Missouri River. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, the mission aimed to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and find a route to the Pacific. Clark's meticulous leadership and surveying skills complemented Lewis's scientific observations. The party faced challenging terrain, unfamiliar wildlife, and diplomatic encounters with Native American tribes. Their journey would ultimately map vast regions of the western continent, gathering invaluable geographic and natural history knowledge. The expedition became one of the most celebrated feats of American exploration.

Skylab was launched by NASA on May 14, 1973, using a Saturn V rocket from Cape Canaveral. As the United States’ first orbital laboratory, it hosted experiments in solar astronomy, life sciences, and materials studies. Shortly after launch, Skylab lost its micrometeoroid shield, requiring astronauts to perform critical in-space repairs. Three successive crewed missions conducted over 270 experiments and tested long-duration living in space. The mission provided invaluable data that paved the way for future space stations and long-term human spaceflight.

On May 14, 2010, NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off on the STS-132 mission from Kennedy Space Center. The primary objective was to deliver Rassvet, the first Russian-built component launched aboard a shuttle, to the ISS. The seven-member crew performed three spacewalks to install the module and reroute power and data cables. Originally slated as Atlantis’s final flight, congressional approval of STS-135 extended the shuttle program and delayed retirement. Rassvet’s arrival enhanced the station’s cargo capabilities and provided a docking port for Russian spacecraft. Atlantis safely returned to Earth after a 12-day mission, having completed all key objectives. The mission showcased international collaboration in space exploration and marked a milestone in shuttle and ISS operations.

On May 14, 2021, the Zhurong rover touched down on Mars’s Utopia Planitia region as part of China’s Tianwen-1 mission. The successful landing made China the second country after the United States to operate a rover on the Red Planet. Zhurong is equipped with cameras, a radar, and a weather station to study Martian geology and climate. The rover’s deployment demonstrated the reliability of China’s long-range entry, descent, and landing technologies. Over its planned 90-sol mission, Zhurong was tasked with searching for signs of water ice and surface composition. The accomplishment boosted national pride and showcased China’s growing capabilities in deep-space exploration. Scientists worldwide anticipated data that could advance understanding of Mars’s history and habitability.