National Tennis Month / Stars & Stripes Forever Day

National Tennis Month

Month of May

Tennis is believed to have originated in the monastic cloisters in northern France in the 12th century. Interestingly, the ball was then struck with the palm of the hand. At that time it was named “jeu de paume” (game of the palm). Rackets came into use during the 16th century.  The word “Tennis” comes from the Anglo-Norman term “Tenez.” Wimbledon, or the Wimbledon Championships, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and also considered to be the most prestigious. The first Wimbledon was played in 1877. It is also the first of the four “Grand Slams” to be founded. The US Open was founded in 1881, the French in 1891, and the Australian in 1905.

Stars & Stripes Forever Day

May 14

On January 1, 1776, General George Washington’s forces were laying siege to Boston, which was under British control. He ordered the raising of the Grand Union flag, which had 13 alternating red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner. In May of 1776 Betsy Ross claimed to have sewn the first American flag by hand, though this claim remains unproven. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which officially created the flag, with 13 stripes and stars.

Today’s Birthdays of Note….

Mark Zuckerberg – Facebook co-founder – born in White Plains, New York

Bobby Darin – Singer – born in New York City, New York

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