Good News in History, May 18

On this day 975 years ago, the astronomy and mathematician of the Seljuk Dynasty of Persia, Omar Khayyam, was born. Most famous for calculating the solar year with remarkable precision such that his calendar is still in use in Iran today, he also contributed to the understanding of the parallel axiom, and cubic equations. READ a bit about his life… (1048)

His brilliance recognized at an early age, Omar Khayam was sent to the most learned teacher in the Khorasan region of Persia, and developed into a mind capable of serving sultans and shahs alike.

In the year 1,074, he was commissioned to set up an observatory in Ifashan, where he lead a group of scientists in carrying out precise astronomical observations aimed at the revision of the Persian calendar, which he accomplished by tuning the length of the year so accurately that it would change only in the 6th decimal over the course of a lifetime.

He was also credited occasionally as a poet, and a philosopher to boot, stating succinctly that:

We are the victims of an age when men of science are discredited, and only a few remain who are capable of engaging in scientific research. Our philosophers spend all their time in mixing true with false and are interested in nothing but outward show; such little learning as they have they extend on material ends. When they see a man sincere and unremitting in his search for the truth, one who will have nothing to do with falsehood and pretence, they mock and despise him.

MORE Good News From This Day:

• Rhode Island passed the first law in North America making slavery illegal (1652)
• The symphonic scherzo by Paul Dukas, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice premiered—a vivid orchestration based on a poem by Goethe, which was later used in the Disney film Fantasia (1897)
• The Hague Peace Conference opened with delegates from 26 countries taking part in the first international arms control summit (1899)
• Jackie Cochran becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier (1953)
• A modified TGV passenger train in France achieved a new rail world speed record of 320 mph (1990)
• A landmark bill was passed in Nepal curtailing the power of the monarchy and creating a secular country (2006)

28 years ago today, Braveheart debuted at the Seattle Film Festival. Featuring Mel Gibson as 13th century Scottish war hero Sir William Wallace, the film introduced one of Scotland’s seminal figures back into the western zeitgeist to critical acclaim, picking up 10 Academy Award nominations, and winning five including Best Picture, Director, Score, Cinematography, and Makeup.

The film is based on a 15th century poem by a man called “Blind Harry” entitled in Scots: The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace. Focusing on the story of the First War for Scottish Independence against Edward the I, the film focuses heavily on the question of what a person is willing to risk to be a free man, and is packed with hugely quotable lines on the topic such as “Every man dies, but not every man truly lives,” and “They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.”

The film generated huge interest in Scotland and in Scottish history, not only around the world, but also in Scotland itself. In the following year, research on visitors to the Stirling area, scene of the first huge battle sequence in the film, indicated that 55% of the visitors had seen Braveheart. In the same year, a tourism report said that the “Braveheart effect” earned Scotland £7 million to £15 million in tourist revenue, and the report led to various national organizations encouraging international film productions to take place in Scotland. WATCH the gripping speech Wallace gives before the battle of Stirling, but cover your kids’ ears from the fruity Scottish language… (1995)

22 years ago today, the computer-animated blockbuster Shrek premiered in the US.

In the story, a runaway donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) befriends an ogre named Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and urges him to go on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz)—who is hiding a secret that will change his life forever.

For years, DreamWorks was developing this Scottish-set fairy tale and was rewarded at the box office—it grossed $484 million worldwide, with a production budget of just $60 million.

Shrek competed for the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival, making it the first animated film since Peter Pan (1953) to be chosen to do so. Although the content is intended for families, it features adult-oriented humor and themes, and was essentially a parody of fairy tales animated by Disney.

The movie won the first ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature—but was also the first animated film nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Its enchanting success helped establish DreamWorks Animation as a prime competitor to Pixar. WATCH the donkey cajole his way into the ogre’s life… (2001)

90 years ago today, in the midst of the Great Depression, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt created the Tennessee Valley Authority to establish navigation, flood control, electricity generation and economic development in the Tennessee River Valley—one of the poorest regions in the country. The TVA, which covered parts of seven states, and produced such cheap power that it attracted many factories to the area, became a model for America’s efforts to help modernize agrarian societies in the developing world. (1933)

Happy 53rd Birthday to Tina Fey, American actress, comedian, writer, and producer best known for her 8-year stint on Saturday Night Live and for producing and starring in the critically acclaimed 30 Rock.

Born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, she also co-created the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and has starred in many films. Her 2011 memoir, Bossypants, topped The New York Times Best Seller list for five weeks. In 2018, she created the musical adaptation of Mean Girls, a Broadway debut based on the cult classic film that Fey wrote, which earned her 12 Tony nominations—including Best Musical.

She co-starred in the 2019 Netflix movie Wine Country with her SNL pals—Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Emily Spivey and Paula Pellabout—about a group of women celebrating a 50th birthday with a drunken weekend. (1970)

Happy 73rd Birthday to one of rock’s most iconic and prolific keyboard players, Rick Wakeman.

Best known for his three decades with the band Yes, he also played piano on Cat Stevens’ Morning Has Broken and David Bowie’s Space Oddity, Changes, Oh! You Pretty Things, and Life on Mars. In fact, Wakeman chose to join Yes over an offer to play with Bowie’s band—a tough decision, but in his first ever rehearsal with the new band he helped to lay the foundation for Roundabout. In 1972, Yes followed their Fragile LP with the highly-acclaimed Close to the Edge.

Born and raised in West London, Wakeman intended to be a concert pianist but quit his studies at the Royal College of Music in 1969 to become a session musician. He produced solo albums of various musical styles throughout his career—over 90, so far (including the 1974 UK No.1 album Journey To The Centre Of The Earth. His chosen musical piece to take to a desert island is Giuseppe Verdi’s Anvil Chorus. WATCH Roundabout performed live on their 1991 reunion tour… (1949)

And, Happy Birthday to baseball great Reggie Jackson, who turns 77 today. After a high school football spinal injury, doctors told Jackson that he might never walk again, but he defied the odds, joined the baseball team, and pitched several no-hitters while batting .550.

As a pro, Jackson was nicknamed “Mr. October” for his clutch hitting at times when it mattered most. In postseason play, he helped the Oakland Athletics win five consecutive AL West pennants, which earned them three World Series appearances, and two titles. He also helped the New York Yankees win four AL East pennants, and two consecutive World Series titles. Jackson famously hit three consecutive home runs—each on the first pitch—at Yankee Stadium in the clinching game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Both teams retired his jersey – #9 and #44 – to honor his 563 career home runs and 14 seasons as an All-Star.

(WATCH the call in the World Series when he hit his third first-pitch home run)

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