Over time, May 31 has marked many important events, from the stoning of the Roman emperor Petronius Maximus and the execution by hanging of Nazi Adolf Eichmann, the mastermind of the Holocaust, to the birth of some remarkable figures in history, including Jacob Christian Schäffer, Clint Eastwood and Brooke Shields.
455: The Roman Emperor Petronius Maximus was stoned to death while fleeing to Rome
Flavius Anicius Petronius Maximus (b. 396 AD, Rome – d. 31 May 455 AD, Rome) was a Roman aristocrat and, for an extremely short period, emperor of the Western Roman Empire, reigning from March 17 to May 31, 455. He came to power in a tense political context, after the assassination of Emperor Valentinian III, but failed to consolidate his the authority.
His reign came to an abrupt end when the vandals led by Genseric invaded Rome. In an attempt to flee the city, Petronius Maximus was recognized by the locals, and an angry mob stoned him to death. Shortly after his death, the Vandals sacked the imperial capital for two weeks, marking one of the most dramatic episodes of Rome's decline.
The figure of Petronius Maximus appeared on the coins of the time. PHOTO Wikipedia
Flavius Anicius Petronius Maximus (b. 396 AD, Rome – d. 31 May 455 AD, Rome) was a Roman aristocrat and, for an extremely short period, emperor of the Western Roman Empire, reigning from March 17 to May 31, 455. He came to power in a tense political context, after the assassination of Emperor Valentinian III, but failed to consolidate his the authority.
In an attempt to flee the city, Petronius Maximus was recognized by the locals, and an angry mob stoned him to death. Shortly after his death, the Vandals sacked the imperial capital for two weeks, marking one of the most dramatic episodes of Rome's decline.
1718: Jacob Christian Schäffer, one of the greatest scientists of the 18th century, was born
Jacob Christian Schäffer, German Lutheran theologian, is considered one of the leading scientific personalities of the 18th century. Known in the specialized literature under the abbreviation “Schaeff”, he contributed significantly to the development of fields such as botany, mycology, entomology and ornithology.
Schäffer cataloged and defined several species of fungi. PHOTO: Wikipedia
His interest in entomology began in 1752, following an invasion of caterpillars that affected his hometown. He studied the phenomenon and published a work dedicated to it. Among his important works are Icones insectorum” (1779) and the introduction to “Elementa entomologica” (1789).
In botany, he published in 1759 the work “Simplified Science of Medicinal Plants”, a useful guide for physicians and pharmacists. As a mycologist, he produced between 1762 and 1774 a monumental work in four volumes, “Nature-colored pictures of the Bavarian and Upper Palatinate sponges”. Several species of mushrooms bear his name, such as Cortinarius schaefferi and Agaricus schaeffianus.
1819: American poet Walt Whitman was born
On May 31, 1819, Walt Whitman was born, one of the most influential voices of American poetry. Considered by Ezra Pound “America itself,” Whitman remains a symbol of free expression and modern lyricism.
1859: Big Ben, London's iconic clock, was put into operation
Big Ben, the famous clock of the Palace of Westminster, was put into operation in 1859. The project was carried out by the lawyer and amateur clockmaker Edmund Beckett Denison, together with the Royal Astronomer George Airy. The mechanism was built by Edward John Dent and completed by his stepson, Frederick.
The watch is renowned for its precision, thanks to an innovative gravity regulator. The pendulum, nearly 4 meters long and weighing 300 kg, is adjusted by adding British penny coins, each adjustment changing the time by 0.4 seconds per day.
1930: American actor Clint Eastwood was born
Clint Eastwood was born on May 31, 1930 and became famous for his roles in westerns and action films. He later became an award-winning director with four Oscars under his belt.
In the 1980s, he was elected mayor of Carmel, California. Although a member of the Republican Party, Eastwood publicly criticized the Iraq War and the policies of President George W. Bush.
1954: The musician and composer Nicu Alifantis was born
Nicu Alifantis, one of the emblematic figures of Romanian music, was born on May 31, 1954. He debuted at TVR in 1973, and in 1976 he released his first album, “Cântec de noapte”.
Member of the Flacăra Cenacle and founder of the Alifantis & Zan band, the artist has been rewarded with numerous awards for his contributions to theater and folk music. Among his most beloved songs are “December”, “Shadow” and “Ce bien ca estire”.
1962: Adolf Eichmann executed by hanging in Israel
On May 31, 1962, Adolf Eichmann, one of the architects of the Holocaust and a central figure in the Nazi extermination machinery, was executed by hanging in Israel. After fleeing to Argentina under a false identity, he was located and captured by Mossad agents, then brought to Jerusalem, where he was tried for crimes against humanity.â
Eichmann, the man behind the Holocaust
Lieutenant-colonel of the Nazi army, Adolf Eichmann – responsible for organizing the deportation of millions of Jews to the extermination camps – boasted, during his time in Argentina, just before he was captured by the Israeli intelligence service Mossad, about the atrocities he committed during the Second World War.
According to later recorded testimony, Eichmann claimed that his only “mistake” was that he did not kill all the Jews.
“We didn't do our job the way we should,” declared Eichmann in 1961, during the talks held in Argentina, before being brought to justice.
Secret documents published by the German daily Spiegel reveal details of Eichmann's escape and how the German government led by Konrad Adenauer tried to influence the trial, fearing the political consequences of the revelations.
According to these declassified documents, Eichmann could have been captured much earlier, if his departure from Germany had not been facilitated in 1950. A relative procured him a false identity, which allowed him to reach Italy and then leave Europe. He settled in Argentina, where he worked for a decade for the Mercedes company, until his capture.
Moreover, a CIA document cited by Spiegel shows that the American authorities knew exactly where Eichmann was and what pseudonym he used, but refused to intervene, reasoning that he had not committed crimes on the territory of the United States.
He was captured in 1961 in Argentina by Mossad agents and transported to Israel, where he was tried on 15 counts. During the trial, Eichmann reiterated extremist views, stating that his only regret was that he did not kill all the Jews. He was sentenced to death by hanging for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
1965: Actress Brooke Shields was born
Brooke Shields became famous from a young age thanks to her modeling and film appearances. He debuted in 1978 with “Pretty Baby”, and roles in “The Blue Lagoon” and subsequent productions cemented his status as an international star.
She was married to tennis player Andre Agassi, and since 2001 she has been the partner of director Chris Henchy, with whom she has two children.
1976 Irish actor Colin Farrell was born
Irish actor Colin James Farrell (born May 31, 1976, Ireland), winner of two Golden Globes and nominated for an Oscar, became known internationally through roles in films such as Minority Report, Phone Booth, Miami Vice, In Bruges, Alexandru or Spirits of Inisherin.
The youngest of four children, Farrell comes from a family with sporting roots: his father, Eamon, was a footballer at Shamrock Rovers. His sisters, Catherine and Claudine, have occasionally appeared in productions in which the actor has acted, and Claudine is also his assistant.
Although he originally wanted to pursue a career in football, Farrell turned to acting after dropping out of the Gaiety School of Acting.
He made his debut in the BBC series Ballykissangel, and his first major role came in Tigerland (2000), the film that propelled him to Hollywood.
Major productions such as The Recruit, Daredevil, Veronica Guerin, Alexander and The New World followed. The performance in In Bruges (2008) brought him his first Golden Globe. He also starred in Heath Ledger's last film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, donating the fee to the late actor's daughter.
May 31, the day Ginghis Khan, the greatest conqueror the world has ever known, defeated Kievan Rus VIDEO
2009: The last Titanic survivor died
Millvina Dean, born February 2, 1912, was the youngest passenger on the Titanic and the last survivor of the maritime tragedy.
He was only two months old when the ship sank in the Atlantic. He died on May 31, 2009, aged 97.
2017: Devastating explosion in Kabul – more than 90 dead
On 31 May 2017, a car bomb exploded near the German embassy in Kabul during rush hour. The explosion killed more than 90 people and injured 463 others, causing massive destruction in the area and damaging numerous vehicles.
2019: Pope Francis visits Romania
Between May 31 and June 2, 2019, Pope Francis made a historic visit to Romania. Hundreds of people greeted him upon his arrival at “Henri Coandă” Airport.
Among the important moments of the visit were the beatification of the seven martyred Greek Catholic bishops in Blaj and the official meetings with President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă and Patriarch Daniel.
“I also came here as a pilgrim who wants to see the face of the Lord in the face of the brothers; looking at you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your welcome. The bonds of faith that unite us originate from the Apostles, the witnesses of the Risen One, especially from the bond that united Peter with Andrew, who, according to tradition, brought faith to these lands. They were even blood brothers (cf. Mk 1:16) and, in a special way, by shedding blood for the Lord. They remind us that there is a brotherhood of blood that precedes us and that, like a silent and life-giving stream, has never ceased, throughout the centuries, to water and sustain our way.” Pope Francis conveyed to the Romanians who came to meet him.
Other holidays
On May 31, Genist Day is celebrated in Romania
World No Tobacco Day.
