May 21 : Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

On this day, 21 May...

1819 - The first bicycle in the U.S. was seen in New York City. Such bicycle velocipedes or "swift walkers" had been imported that same year. Shortly thereafter, on 19 Aug 1819, the city's Common Council passed a law to "prevent the use of velocipedes in the public places and on the sidewalks of the city of New York."

1853 - The Aquatic Vivarium, the world's first public aquarium, was opened in Regent's Park, London.

1873 - The idea of a "traveling sidewalk" for rapid transit along Broadway in New York City was printed in the New York Times. Its inventor proposed to build two sidewalks, one in each direction, continually moving at 19 mph. How pedestrians would embark or disembark was not disclosed, although reportedly, the inventor had a satisfactory solution.

1901 - The first U.S. State motor car legislation was an act to regulate the speed of motor vehicles, passed in Connecticut. A speed limit was established of 12 mph within city limits and 15 mph outside, which were higher than the 8 Mph city and 12mph country speeds in the bill as originally presented. Also, the car driver was required to reduce speed upon meeting or passing a horse-drawn vehicle, and if necessary, to stop to avoid frightening the horse.

1906 - Louis Henry Perlman of New York City applied for a patent for his invention of the demountable-carrying rim, similar to those used on today's cars, but wider.

1994 - The Indian Union Government impose es blanket ban on capitation fee for admission to private professional colleges.

1994 - Sushmita Sen, 18, of India, crowned 43rd Miss Universe.

1998 - India declares a moratorium on nuclear testing.

Born

1960 – Mohanlal, actor and producer.

1971 – Aditya Chopra, screenwriter.

1976 – Aditi Gowitrikar, model, actress, and physician, Mrs. World 2001.

RIP

1991 – Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated by a human bomb explosion at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, 40 km from Chennai, at 10.20 P.M.  

You may have known...

Bacon was used to make explosives during World War II.