Today is the 136th day of 2016 and the 57th day of spring.
TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1918, the United States launched its first regular airmail service.
In 1940, the first McDonald's restaurant opened in San Bernadino, California.
In 1970, President Richard Nixon appointed Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington the first female U.S. Army generals.
In 1972, Alabama Gov. George Wallace was shot and left permanently paralyzed below the waist while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in Maryland.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: L. Frank Baum (1856-1919), author; Pierre Curie (1859-1906), physicist; Richard J. Daley (1902-1976), politician; Jasper Johns (1930- ), artist; Madeleine Albright (1937- ), former secretary of state; Roger Ailes (1940- ), news executive; Brian Eno (1948- ), singer-songwriter/musician; Chazz Palminteri (1952- ), actor; George Brett (1953- ), baseball player; Dan Patrick (1956- ), sportscaster; Emmitt Smith (1969- ), football player; Ray Lewis (1975- ), football player; Andy Murray (1987- ), tennis player.
TODAY'S FACT: Former U.S. presidents and their spouses enjoy lifetime mail "franking" privileges, meaning their mail can be sent without postage, provided it is nonpolitical.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2004, Smarty Jones won the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race by a record margin of 11 1/2 lengths.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Familiarity with any great thing removes our awe of it. The great general is only terrible to the enemy; the great poet is frequently scolded by his wife; the children of the great statesman clamber about his knees with perfect trust and impunity; the great actor who is called before the curtain by admiring audiences is often waylaid at the stage door by his creditors." -- L. Frank Baum, "The Master Key"
TODAY'S NUMBER: 21 -- years that Richard J. Daley served as mayor of Chicago (1955-1976). His son, Richard M. Daley, was mayor of Chicago for a record 22 years (1989-2011).
TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (May 13) and full moon (May 21).