On This Day: May 20
Tornado Talk Summary
Ruskin Heights F5 Tornado – May 20, 1957. It has also been called “The Kansas-Missouri Tornado” and “The Ottawa-Kansas City Tornado”. It developed southwest of Williamsburg, KS, traveled close to 70 miles and ended near Knobtown, MO. This tornado was the strongest of 35 that occurred on May 20, 1957. Read the full summary here!
SIGTOR Spotlight
Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950
from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!
May 20, 1910: An F4 tornado moved 12 miles through parts of Garvin County, OK. At McCarty, 25 homes were destroyed which according to Grazulis was most of the town. Total of three killed. “One of the deaths was from a head injury that occurred when a board penetrated the door of a storm cave.”
Twister From The 2000s
On this day in 2019, an EF3 tornado tracked for nearly 6 miles through parts of Ector, and Midland Counties, TX, near Odessa. It caused extensive ground scouring occurred, and oil pump jacks were destroyed. Source.
Weather Rewind
Tornado and Other Weather Events From On This Day
May 20th is known as “Cyclone Day” in Codell, KS. On this day in 1916, 1917, and 1918, tornadoes passed near or through the town. The strongest tornado was the 1918 storm, which was rated F4, it killed six and injured 65 others as it made a direct hit on Codell. Source.
Pieces of the Past
A Look Back Through The Ages! On This Day In History!
Historical Event
On this day in 1862: US President Abraham Lincoln signs into law the Homestead Act to provide cheap land for the settlement of the American West (80 million acres by 1900). Check out more historical events at onthisday.com!
Famous Birthday
Cher was born May 20, 1946 in El Centro, California. She is an entertainer who parlayed her status as a teenage pop singer into a recording, concert, and acting career. Source: Britannica.
Film & TV
On this day in 1891: The first public display of Thomas Edison’s prototype kinetoscope to members of the National Federation of Women’s Club. Get more daily history at onthisday.com!
Music Trivia
On this day in 1997: Foo Fighters released their second album ‘The Colour And The Shape’, the album was a Grammy nominee for Best Rock Album in 1998. Even though Foo Fighters are an American band, the word ‘Colour’ in the album title is always spelled with the British spelling. This was a nod to producer Gil Norton, who is British. Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com!
Photo of the Day
