May 15

May 15 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2010: Do Day Day was held along Highland Avenue.
• 2006: HealthSouth filed its 1st quarter financials, regaining currency with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• 2006: The Hoover City Council approved plans by the Birmingham Islamic Society to construct a mosque.
• 2000: Ted and Litsa Sarris sold Ted's Restaurant to Tasos and Beba Touloupis.
• 1983: Def Leppard and Krokus performed at Boutwell Auditorium.
• 1977: Dennis and Dianne Wammack opened Cameras Brookwood at the Brookwood Convenience Center.
• 1972: Governor George Wallace was shot and paralyzed while campaigning for President.
• 1961: Attorney General Robert Kennedy pleaded unsuccessfully with state officials and Birmingham Greyhound Station manager George Cruit to secure safe passage for Freedom Riders out of Birmingham.
• 1950: The first issue of the Birmingham Post-Herald, formed by the merger of The Birmingham Post and The Biringham Age-Herald, was published.
• 1909: Terra-cotta cladding for the Empire Building was completed.
• 1899: SS. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Brookside was formally dedicated.
• 1890: The East Lake Hotel hosted the 3rd annual ball of the Jefferson Volunteers.
• 1888: Thomas Furnace No. 1 was blown in.
• 1812: Elyton's founding (observed).

Births

• 1946: Photographer and educator John Friedel was born in Birmingham.
• 1872: Newspaper editor and Birmingham City Commission member John Hornady was born in Ringgold, Georgia.
• 1852: 10th Mayor of Birmingham James Van Hoose was born in Tuscaloosa.
• 1827: Pioneer farmer John Gillespy, Sr was born in Blount, Tennessee.

Deaths

• 2012: Surgeon Richard Lytle died.
• 1986: Birmingham Bulls owner John Bassett died in Toronto, Ontario.
• 1981: Federal circuit court judge Walter Gewin died in Tuscaloosa.
• 1909: Banker John Henley died.
• 1896: Educator Solomon Palmer died at his East Lake Atheneum.

Sports

• 1982: The Birmingham Barons drew a record 11,067 fans to Rickwood Field for "Colonial Bank Night".