What your coffee knew in May 2024
May 31
An angry mob stoned Roman Emperor Petronius Maximus to death as he fled an invasion of Vandals on this date in 455.
Your coffee suspects vandals may have filled the sugar bowl with salt.
May 30
On this date in 1806, future U.S. President Jackson killed Charles Dickinson in a duel.
Your coffee wants to know if it happened in the middle of 5th Avenue.
May 29
Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to visit Canterbury Cathedral on this date in 1982.
Your coffee wants to have a glass of wine with him, the Manciple, and his pet crow.
May 28
On this date in 1936, Alan Turing submitted “On Computable Numbers” for publication.
Your coffee wants help figuring out the tip.
May 27
Malcolm IV became King of Scotland on this date in 1153.
Your coffee wants to be served in Birnam Wood with his great-grandfather.
May 24
On this date in 1878, the first bicycle race in the United States was held in Boston.
Your coffee wants to pedal its wares.
May 23
Iowa State University established the first veterinary school in the United States on this date in 1879.
Your coffee wants to be served animal style.
May 22
On this date in 1969, the Apollo 10 lunar module flew within nine miles of the Moon’s surface.
Your coffee wants to engage with the Red Baron.
May 21
Author Daniel Defoe was imprisoned on charges of seditious libel on this date in 1703.
Your coffee wants a shot of Old Bailey’s to sweeten the brew.
May 20
On this date in 1996, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Romer v. Evans against a Colorado law that would have eliminated gay rights in the state.
Your coffee wants to be served in a loving cup.
May 17
The Buttonwood Agreement led to the founding of the New York Stock Exchange on this date in 1792.
Your coffee wants a stock tip for each cup sold.
May 16
On this date in 1918, the U.S. Congress passed the Sedition Act, making criticism of the government during wartime an imprisonable offense.
Your coffee always thought that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech” but, apparently, it was mistaken.
May 15
American novelist L. Frank Baum was born on this date in 1856.
Your coffee can help you stay awake when traversing fields of poppies.
May 14
On this date in 1027, Robert II of France named his son Henry I as junior King of the Franks.
Your coffee wants to be the senior King of the Beans.
May 13
While suffering from a life-threatening illness, anchoress Julian of Norwich had her visions of Jesus on this date in 1373.
Your coffee wants revelations of a divine medium roast.
May 10
On this date in 1774, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette became King and Queen of France.
Your coffee wants to wish them a long a peaceful reign.
May 9
The oldest diplomatic alliance in the world which is still in force, the Treaty of Windsor between England and Portugal was drafted on this date in 1386.
Your coffee wants to seal it with a kiss.
May 8
On this date in 1950, the Tollund Man was discovered in a peat bog near Silkeborg, Denmark.
Your coffee wants a better last meal.
May 7
The Norway Debate began in the British House of Commons on this date in 1940, leading to Neville Chamberlain’s resignation as Prime Minister.
Your coffee wants to win with Winnie.
May 6
On this date in 1541, King Henry VIII ordered English-language Bibles to be placed in every church.
Your coffee wants a royal royalty.
May 3
Walter O'Malley, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, agreed to move his team from Brooklyn to Los Angeles on this date in 1957.
Your coffee wants dugout seats and a Dodger dog.
May 2
On this date in 1974, the Maryland Court of Appeals disbarred former U.S. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew.
Your coffee wants a tax-filing extension.
May 1
The “Barbie for President” doll was released in stores on this date in 2000.
Your coffee likes a doll with a Ken-do attitude.