On This Day for May 25 - U.S. Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia, Ian McKellen is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. May 25 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Ian McKellen READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 1787 U.S. Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2020: George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, setting off massive protests around the country and generating greater support for the Black Lives Matter movement; police officer Derek Chauvin was later convicted of his murder. [ What inspired the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement?] 2011: The last episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired; the long-running TV program had helped make Winfrey one of the richest and most influential women in the United States. 1977: George Lucas's space opera film Star Wars (later known as Star Wars: Episode IV—New Hope) was released, launching one of the most successful and influential franchises in motion picture history. [ How much do you know about the original Star Wars trilogy?] 1961: In a speech before Congress, U.S. President John F. Kennedy committed the United States to land a man on the Moon by the end of the decade; the goal was achieved with Apollo 11 in 1969. [ Take our space exploration quiz.] 1935: American baseball player Babe Ruth hit the 714th and last home run of his career; he retired later that year. [ Find out where Babe Ruth ranks on our list of the 10 greatest baseball players of all time.] 1895: The trial of acclaimed Irish writer Oscar Wilde ended with him being found guilty of "committing acts of gross indecency with certain male persons"; he was sentenced to two years of hard labour. [Test your knowledge of English and Irish playwrights.] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1939 Ian McKellen British actor 1803 Ralph Waldo Emerson American author 1978 Brian Urlacher American football player 1938 Raymond Carver American author 1927 Robert Ludlum American writer 1887 Padre Pio Italian priest and saint SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY   Advertisement   FOLLOW: To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, click here. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2021 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Privacy Policy • Help