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May 14 in History: The Constitution Convention Begins, Vaseline Is Registered, and “Seinfeld” Ends

Scott Winters May 14, 2026

Discover what happened on May 14 in history, along with notable events that shaped medicine, entertainment, and American history.

What Happened on May 14 in History?

Important events on this day include delegates gathering to draft the U.S. Constitution, the registration of the Vaseline name, and the final episode of Seinfeld airing on NBC.

MAY 14 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1607 – An expedition led by Captain Christopher Newport went ashore at Jamestown, VA. The group had arrived at the location the day before. This became the first permanent English colony in America.

1787 – Delegates began gathering in Philadelphia, PA, for a convention to draw up the U.S. Constitution.

1796 – The first smallpox vaccination was given by Edward Jenner.

1804 – William Clark set off the famous expedition from Camp Dubois. A few days later, in St. Louis, Meriwether Lewis joined the group. The group was known as the “Corps of Discovery.”

1853 – Gail Borden applied for a patent for condensed milk.

1874 – McGill University and Harvard met at Cambridge, MA, for the first college football game to charge admission.

1878 – The name Vaseline was registered by Robert A. Chesebrough.

1879 – Thomas Edison incorporated the Edison Telephone Company of Europe.

1897 – “The Stars and Stripes Forever”, by John Phillip Sousa, was performed for the first time. It was at a ceremony where a statue of George Washington was unveiled.

1897 – Guglielmo Marconi made the first communication by wireless telegraph.

1913 – The Rockefeller Foundation was created by John D. Rockefeller with a gift of $100 million.

1939 – Lina Medina became the youngest confirmed mother in medical history at the age of five.

1942 – The Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) was established by an act of the U.S. Congress.

1960 – The birth control pill was introduced in the United States.

1967 – Mickey Mantle hit the 500th home run of his career, off Baltimore’s Stu Miller.

1972 – In his first game as a Met, Willie Mays hit a game winning home run against his old team, the Giants.

1973 – Skylab One was launched into orbit around Earth as the first U.S. crewed space station.

1980 – President Jimmy Carter inaugurated the Department of Health and Human Services.

1985 – Ray Kroc’s first McDonald’s restaurant became the first fast-food business museum. It is located in Des Plaines, IL.

1989 – The final episodes of TV’s “Moonlighting” and “Family Ties” were broadcast.

1996 – Magic Johnson retired from the Los Angeles Lakers for the second and final time.

1998 – The Associated Press marked its 150th anniversary.

1998 – Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer went to jail in the final episode of the TV series “Seinfeld” aired after nine years on NBC. The final episode was watched by 76 million viewers.

1998 – George Michael pleaded no contest in the Beverly Hills, CA Municipal Court to committing a lewd act in a park restroom. He was fined $810, given 80 hours of community service, and ordered to undergo counseling.

1998 – The animated TV show called “Celebrity Deathmatch” premiered on MTV. Clay models of famous celebrities would wresting each other. The show remained on the air for 6 seasons.

1999 – Jess Marlow received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2000 – The six cast members of TV’s “Friends” signed two year contracts that guaranteed each actor $750,000 per episode, up from $125,000.

2010 – Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on the STS-132 mission to deliver the first shuttle-launched Russian ISS component — Rassvet. This was originally slated to be the final launch of Atlantis, before Congress approved STS-135.

2018 – Scientists at the University of California successfully executed a memory transfer in snails.

2021 – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer lifted the mask mandate in all settings for those who were fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

2021 – China successfully landed Zhurong, the country’s first Mars rover.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MAY 14:

Byron Dorgan – 84 years old (1942) – Lawyer and politician

Tony Pérez – 84 years old (1942) – Cuban-American baseball player and manager

Gene Cornish – 82 years old (1944) – Canadian-American guitarist

George Lucas – 82 years old (1944) – Director, producer, and screenwriter, founded Lucasfilm

Donald R. McMonagle – 74 years old (1952) – Colonel, pilot, and astronaut

Robert Zemeckis – 74 years old (1952) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Christine Brennan – 68 years old (1958) – Journalist and author

Rudy Pérez – 68 years old (1958) – Cuban-born American composer and music producer

Robert Greene – 67 years old (1959) – Author and translator

C.C. DeVille – 64 years old (1962) – Guitarist, songwriter, and actor

Danny Huston – 64 years old (1962) – Italian-American actor and director

Pat Borders – 63 years old (1963) – Baseball player and coach

Suzy Kolber – 62 years old (1964) – Sportscaster and producer

Mike Inez – 60 years old (1966) – Rock bass player and songwriter

Raphael Saadiq – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Sofia Coppola – 55 years old (1971) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Kirstjen Nielsen – 54 years old (1972) – Attorney, 6th United States Secretary of Homeland Security

Hunter Burgan – 50 years old (1976) – Multi-instrumentalist and bassist of rock band AFI

Eddie House – 48 years old (1978) – Basketball player

Dan Auerbach – 47 years old (1979) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Frank Gore – 43 years old (1983) – Football player

Amber Tamblyn – 43 years old (1983) – Actress, author, model, director

Mark Zuckerberg – 42 years old (1984) – Computer programmer and businessman, co-founded Facebook

Dustin Lynch – 41 years old (1985) – Singer-songwriter

Zack Ryder – 41 years old (1985) – Wrestler

Clay Matthews III – 40 years old (1986) – Football player

Rob Gronkowski – 37 years old (1989) – Football player

Miranda Cosgrove – 33 years old (1993) – Actress and singer

Kyle Freeland – 33 years old (1993) – Baseball player

Rose Lavelle – 31 years old (1995) – Soccer player

Jack Hughes – 25 years old (2001) – Hockey player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MAY 14:

Online Romance Day: Celebrate Online Romance Day by honoring love found online, from dating apps to virtual dates, and explore how digital connections grow into real relationships.
International Dylan Thomas Day: Celebrate International Dylan Thomas Day with readings, performances, and creative events that honor the Welsh poet’s vivid language, voice, and lasting legacy.
World Orienteering Day: Celebrate World Orienteering Day by exploring nature with map and compass, boosting navigation skills, confidence, and community through fun outdoor challenges.
Stars and Stripes Forever Day: Celebrate Stars and Stripes Forever Day by honoring Sousa’s iconic national march, exploring its history, and enjoying patriotic music, crafts, and fun.
Ascension Day: Discover the meaning of Ascension Day, honoring Christ’s ascent to heaven, his victory over death, and the hope of resurrection and eternal life.
Bond With Your Dog Day: Celebrate Bond With Your Dog Day by deepening your connection through play, adventures, treats, and calm moments that boost well-being for both of you.
National Decency Day: National Decency Day celebrates kindness, respect and ethical behavior, inspiring people of all ages to act with integrity and build more compassionate communities.
International Chihuahua Appreciation Day: Celebrate International Chihuahua Appreciation Day by honoring tiny but mighty dogs with parties, pampering, photo fun, rescue support, and adoption awareness.
National Underground America Day: Celebrate National Underground America Day by exploring earth-sheltered homes, sustainable design, and creative ways to connect with the world beneath our feet.
National Buttermilk Biscuit Day: Celebrate National Buttermilk Biscuit Day by savoring flaky, buttery biscuits, exploring creative toppings and recipes, and honoring this classic comfort food.
National Dance Like a Chicken Day: Gather your friends and family, put on that funky music, and do the classic, goofy, ever-popular Chicken Dance to get moving and, undoubtedly, laughing.
Noise Action Week: Noise Action Week is an exciting event dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of noise pollution on our daily lives. This week-long initiative encourages everyone to think about the noise they create and how it affects others. It's a time for communities to come together, learn about noise reduction...
National Travel Insurance Claims Day: National Travel Insurance Claims Day celebrates the crucial role travel insurance plays in keeping trips from turning into expensive cautionary tales. When plans go sideways, a good policy can help a traveler focus on solving the problem rather than spiraling into paperwork panic. This day also shines a spotlight on the...
American Craft Beer Week: Exploring diverse flavors and styles, American craft beer showcases innovation and craftsmanship, delighting enthusiasts worldwide.
Foster Care Fortnight: Foster Care Fortnight, an annual event in the UK, typically happens in the first two weeks of May. This initiative is driven by The Fostering Network, a leading charity that promotes foster care awareness and recruitment. The event raises awareness about the growing need for foster carers and their vital...
Bike to Work Week: Bike to Work Week is a special time celebrated each year across the United States. This event encourages people to ride their bikes to work or anywhere else they need to go as part of a larger movement to promote cycling and its benefits. How to Celebrate Bike to Work Week Embracing...
Learning at Work Week: Learning at Work Week is a special time dedicated to boosting learning culture within the workplace. Celebrated annually, this initiative encourages all types of organizations to engage in activities that foster learning among their teams. The goal is to make learning an integral part of working life, benefiting individual growth and...
Be Nice to Nettles Week: Be Nice to Nettles Week is a vibrant annual event that shines a spotlight on the humble nettle plant. Celebrated in mid-May, this period encourages us to appreciate the ecological and health benefits of nettles. How to Celebrate Be Nice to Nettles Week Here are five quirky and playful ways to dive...
Christian Aid Week: Christian Aid Week is an important time that provides urgent humanitarian relief to the less fortunate and urges long-term programs to help. It calls out the plight of the suffering, giving immediate aid. But it does more; it stands up for the rights of - and demands justice for -...
Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
National Salvation Army Week: Supporting those in need, providing hope, and creating positive change—efforts that embody the essence of humanitarian assistance.
M.E. Awareness Week: M.E. Awareness Week, celebrated annually, highlights the struggles of people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). The week encourages empathy for those affected and serves as a time for people to learn more about this condition. The campaign is organized by various charities, patient groups, and healthcare professionals working together to increase...
National Public Gardens Week: National Public Gardens Week shines a spotlight on the incredible beauty and significance of public gardens. Held each year in early May, it's a week-long celebration designed to highlight the vital role these gardens play in our communities. From fragrant flower displays to serene landscapes, they offer more than just...
National Hospital Week: Whether performing a small elective procedure or treating a life-threatening illness, hospitals are critical places that make a huge difference in the health of individuals, families and communities across the nation. National Hospital Week is here to celebrate and show appreciation for all of the different people who are integral...
National Hoarding Awareness Week: Hoarding can feel suffocating. It clutters not just rooms but also minds. National Hoarding Awareness Week brings this often-overlooked struggle to the forefront. Many people live with piles of objects that grow until they block doors and windows. This isn’t about mess or laziness—it’s a serious condition. This week, communities...
National Stuttering Awareness Week: National Stuttering Awareness Week focuses on understanding stuttering and supporting those who live with it. Stuttering is a speech condition that affects the flow of speaking, and it touches millions of people worldwide. This week encourages open conversations and helps break the silence around a challenge many face every day. It...
I Love My State Parks Week: The United States defines up to 10,000 different areas as state parks. State parks protect more than 14 million acres of landscape, ranging from coastal beaches to forests, sandy deserts to swampland. In addition, state parks provide local residents with opportunities for recreation, access to clean and safe green spaces...