May 3

May 3 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2008: The 23rd Annual Crawfish Boil came to a close at the future site of the Uptown entertainment district.
• 2004: The first Banco Hispanico (bilingual branch of CapitalSouth Bank) opened on Lorna Road in Hoover.
• 1991: Ambassador and Lady Acland were guests of honor at the Ambassador's Dinner for the Birmingham Festival of Arts' Salute to the United Kingdom, held at The Club.
• 1990: Ron Blankenship, later a candidate for Jefferson County Sheriff, was arrested for assault and failure to appear to answer fraud charges.
• 1987: Bobby Allison crashed spectacularly at the Winston 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway, leading to a 4-hour red flag and a shortened race, won by his son, rookie Davey Allison.
• 1985: "Pumping Iron II: The Women", a documentary feature based on the book by Charles Gaines, debuted.
• 1976: Gerald Ford delivered a campaign speech at Woodrow Wilson Park.
• 1966: Lurleen Wallace won the 1966 Democratic primary for Governor of Alabama without a runoff.
• 1963: Police dogs and firehoses were brought out against young demonstrators during the Birmingham Campaign.
• 1959: The Birmingham Museum of Art reopened in the $1 million Oscar Wells Memorial Building on Woodrow Wilson Park.
• 1956: The Birmingham Amateur Radio Club was incorporated.
• 1953: Concord Highland Baptist Church was dedicated.
• 1894: Loosley Cycle Co. was founded by Ernest Loosley.
• 1891: Shiloh Baptist Church was organized.

Willis Milner, born May 3, 1824

Births

• 1982: UAB Blazers men's basketball coach Rob Ehsan was born in San Jose, California.
• 1959: Prison warden Rodney Huntley was born.
• 1941: Judge Helen Shores Lee was born in Birmingham.
• 1920: Baseball player Dan Bankhead was born in Empire.
• 1842: Elyton Land Company officer Willis Milner was born in Georgia.

Deaths

• 2020: Former Anniston Star publisher Brandy Ayers died.
• 2008: Physician C. Paul Perry died.
• 2007: Arthur Lee Giles was executed for his role in the 1978 murders of Carl and Willene Nelson.
• 2005: Artist Carl Salter died.
• 1994: Short story writer Mary Elizabeth Counselman died.
• 1989: First president of UAB and first Chancellor of the University of Alabama System Joseph Volker died in Birmingham.
• 1969: Birmingham police officer Azell Harris was killed in a shootout after he confronted a group of men burglarizing the cargo yard at Mercury Freight Lines in Smithfield, where he was employed as an off-duty security guard.
• 1938: Poet Laureate of Alabama Samuel Peck died at home in Tuscaloosa.
• 1895: Railroad executive and Elyton Land Company shareholder Campbell Wallace died in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sports

• 2015: Dale Earnhardt, Jr won the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
• 2006: Regions Charity Classic at the Ross Bridge Resort.
• 2003: Birmingham Steeldogs 38 - Florida Firecats 35 at Estero, Florida.
• 2002: Birmingham Steeldogs 49 - Florida Firecats 31 at Estero, Florida.
• 1998: Alabama Saints 3 - Tallahassee Tempest 2 at UAB's West Campus Field.
• 1987: Bobby Allison crashed spectacularly at the Winston 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway, leading to a 4-hour red flag and a shortened race, won by his son, rookie Davey Allison.
• 1985: Memphis Showboats 38 - Birmingham Steeldogs 24 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee.