A thought for the day: Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. -- English writer Joseph Addison

On this date in history:

In 1884, construction began on the world's first skyscraper -- the 10-story Home Insurance Co. building in Chicago.

In 1893, U.S. President Grover Cleveland opened the World's...Read More

Those born on this date include:

- Sharpshooter Calamity Jane, born Martha Jane Cannary Burke, in 1852
- U.S. Army Gen. Mark Clark in 1896
- musician Kate Smith in 1907
- actor Glenn Ford in ...Read More

Today is Wednesday, May 1, the 122nd day of 2024 with 244 to follow.

The moon is waning. Morning stars are Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn and Venus. Evening star is Jupiter.

On May 1st, 1851, the Great Exhibition opened in London.

A thought for the day: Dutch Queen Juliana said of politics: You are interested in the kitchen of the world -- you want to find out what is cooking, who has a finger in the pie, and who will burn his finger.