1607day.year
English colonists establish "James Fort", which would become Jamestown, Virginia, the earliest permanent English settlement in the Americas.
In 1607, English settlers establish James Fort at Jamestown, Virginia, marking the first permanent English colony in North America.
On May 14, 1607, a group of Virginia Company colonists founded James Fort on the James River, naming it after King James I.
Despite harsh conditions, disease, and food shortages, the fort became the nucleus of the Jamestown settlement.
Jamestown laid the groundwork for English expansion, agriculture, and trade in the New World.
The colony’s survival depended on cooperation and conflict with local Powhatan tribes, including alliances and skirmishes.
Over time, Jamestown introduced tobacco cultivation, which became Virginia’s economic cornerstone.
The establishment of James Fort marked the beginning of sustained English presence in North America.
1607
Jamestown, Virginia
1879day.year
The first group of 463 Indian indentured laborers arrives in Fiji aboard the Leonidas.
The first group of Indian indentured laborers arrives in Fiji aboard the Leonidas, beginning a new era of plantation labor.
On May 14, 1879, the ship Leonidas docked in Fiji carrying 463 Indian indentured laborers. Recruited to work on sugarcane plantations, they faced arduous voyages and harsh conditions upon arrival. The indenture system aimed to fill labor shortages following the abolition of slavery in British colonies. Many settlers came from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, bringing diverse languages and customs. Despite exploitation, these workers laid the foundations for Fiji's Indo-Fijian community. Over decades, they adapted agricultural techniques and preserved cultural traditions. Their legacy endures in Fiji's multicultural society and rich culinary, religious, and linguistic heritage.
1879
Indian indentured laborers
Fiji
Leonidas
1918day.year
Cape Town Mayor, Sir Harry Hands, inaugurates the Two-minute silence.
Cape Town inaugurates the Two-minute silence to honor soldiers killed in World War I.
Cape Town Mayor Sir Harry Hands introduced the Two-minute silence tradition on May 14, 1918.
He called for residents to pause at midday in memory of soldiers who had fallen during World War I.
The practice united communities in collective mourning and reflection.
Within months, the tradition was adopted across the British Empire on Armistice Day.
It became a cornerstone of remembrance ceremonies in Commonwealth countries.
Each year, millions pause to observe the silence and honor the sacrifices of servicemen and women.
The Two-minute silence remains a powerful symbol of peace and respect.
1918
Harry Hands
Two-minute silence
1953day.year
Approximately 7,100 brewery workers in Milwaukee perform a walkout, marking the start of the 1953 Milwaukee brewery strike.
Over 7,000 brewery workers in Milwaukee walk off the job, launching a major labor strike in the city.
On May 14, 1953, about 7,100 workers at Milwaukee’s major breweries walked off the job to demand better wages and working conditions.
The strike brought beer production to a standstill and put significant pressure on both union leadership and brewery management.
Local government and residents felt the economic impact as large volumes of beer went undelivered.
After weeks of tense negotiations, a settlement granted modest pay increases and strengthened union contracts.
The Milwaukee brewery strike became a landmark event in postwar American labor history, influencing future union campaigns.
1953
Milwaukee
walkout
1953 Milwaukee brewery strike
1961day.year
Civil rights movement: A white mob twice attacks a Freedom Riders bus near Anniston, Alabama, before fire-bombing the bus and attacking the civil rights protesters who flee the burning vehicle.
A white mob fire-bombs a Freedom Riders bus near Anniston, Alabama, marking a violent flashpoint in the civil rights struggle.
On May 14, 1961, a mob attacked a Freedom Riders bus near Anniston, Alabama, violently opposing the desegregation activists aboard.
The Freedom Riders had set out to challenge segregation on interstate buses after Supreme Court rulings.
After an initial assault on the highway, the bus was firebombed, forcing riders to escape the flames under attack.
Images of the burning bus and beaten protesters sparked national outrage and federal involvement in civil rights enforcement.
This incident galvanized public support for the movement and accelerated the push for desegregation across the South.
1961
Civil rights movement
Freedom Riders
Anniston, Alabama
fire-bombing
2004day.year
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson are married at Copenhagen Cathedral.
Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik marries Australian Mary Donaldson in a grand ceremony at Copenhagen Cathedral.
On May 14, 2004, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark wed Mary Donaldson, an Australian investment banker he met during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The royal wedding at Copenhagen Cathedral showcased centuries-old traditions alongside modern touches, with thousands lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple. Mary, styled Princess Mary, received a new title and captured international attention as a commoner entering European royalty. The ceremony featured royal family members, foreign dignitaries, and elaborate pageantry. Public festivities included concerts and street celebrations, reflecting Denmark’s cultural pride. The marriage boosted the monarchy’s popularity and inspired interest in royal weddings worldwide. The couple’s partnership has since become a symbol of cross-cultural union and modern monarchy.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
Mary Donaldson
married
Copenhagen Cathedral
2008day.year
Battle of Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre between Zenit supporters and Rangers supporters and the Greater Manchester Police, 39 policemen injured, one police-dog injured and 39 arrested.
Rival Zenit and Rangers football supporters clash with police in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens, leaving dozens injured and arrested.
On May 14, 2008, tensions flared as Zenit Saint Petersburg and Glasgow Rangers fans clashed in Piccadilly Gardens before the UEFA Cup final. Hundreds of supporters confronted Greater Manchester Police in violent skirmishes involving bottles, fireworks, and other projectiles. The unrest resulted in injuries to 39 police officers and damage to public property, with one police dog also hurt. Authorities arrested 39 individuals on charges ranging from public disorder to assault. The incident highlighted concerns over rival football fans and the challenges of policing major sporting events. Manchester’s city centre saw a heavier security presence for subsequent fixtures, and organizers reviewed crowd control measures. The clashes remain a stark reminder of the darker side of football fanaticism.
2008
Battle of Piccadilly Gardens
Manchester city centre
Zenit
Rangers
Greater Manchester Police
2022day.year
Ten people are killed in a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York.
A mass shooting at a Buffalo, New York supermarket kills ten people and wounds others, shocking the local community.
On May 14, 2022, a gunman opened fire at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, during the afternoon. The attack occurred in a residential neighborhood and targeted shoppers selecting groceries for dinner. Ten victims lost their lives, including both customers and employees, while others sustained serious injuries. Law enforcement apprehended the suspect at the scene without incident and began investigating possible motives. The tragedy reignited national debates over gun control, hate crime legislation, and community security. Local residents held vigils and marches to honor the victims and demand action to prevent future violence. The incident remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history and prompted widespread calls for policy reform.
2022
mass shooting
Buffalo, New York