May 9, 2020
Day 130 of 366

May 9th is the 130th day of the year. It is Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Awareness Day, which is observed on the second Saturday of May. Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) causes a range of physical, cognitive, and medical challenges.  It is a genetic disorder that even though present at birth, it is not always diagnosed at birth.  Affecting the physical and intellectual development of a child, CdLS is often known as Bushy Syndrome or Amsterdam dwarfism.

In the United States, today is “celebrated” as National Lost Sock Memorial Day, National Moscato Day, National Butterscotch Brownie Day, National Sleepover Day, National Birth Mother’s Day (Saturday before Mother’s Day), National Babysitter’s Day (Saturday before Mother’s Day), National Dog Mom’s Day (Second Saturday in May), National Train Day (Saturday closest to May 10th), National Archery Day (second Saturday in May), and National Miniature Golf Day (second Saturday in May).

Historical items of note:

• In 1662, the figure who later became Mr. Punch (of Punch and Judy) made his first recorded appearance in England.
• In 1671, Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempted to steal England’s Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.
• In 1860, Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie was born.
• In 1887, Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show opened in London.
• In 1893, psychologist and author William Moulton Marston was born. He was the creator of Wonder Woman.
• In 1918, journalist Mike Wallace was born.
• In 1936, actor Albert Finney was born.
• In 1940, director, producer, and screenwriter James L. Brooks was born.
• In 1946, actress and producer Candice Bergen was born.
• In 1949, singer-songwriter and pianist BIlly Joel was born.
• In 1958, Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo premiered in San Francisco.
• In 1974, the United States House Committee on the Judiciary opened formal and public impeachment hearings against President Richard Nixon.

This year, May 9th is Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day. Observed on the second Saturday in May, it is the largest one-day food drive in the United States. It occurs in more than 10,000 cities and towns, and the food is collected by United States Postal Workers.

Over the last 20 years, one billion pounds of food has been delivered by this drive which is sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers. The letter carriers representing the NALC receive help from rural letter carriers, other postal employees, and other volunteers. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has received a number of accolades over the years, including two Presidential Certificates of Achievement.

The Thing About Today is an effort to look at each day of 2020 with respect to its historical context.

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