May 1

May 1 in the history of the Birmingham District:

Vounteers await deployment on May 1, 1898

• 2018: The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame acquired WVSU-FM from Samford University.
• 2015: Avondale's Saturn opened with a free concert by Austin's Mother Falcon orchestra.
• 2013: Krewe on First opened.
• 2012: Freshfully opened a retail produce shop in Avondale.
• 2009: Bici Cooperative held a grand opening for their bike shop at Rhodes Park.
• 2008: Aldi on Gene Reed Road in Roebuck opened.
• 2006: Dispatcher Ron McGuffie took a leave of absence to run for Sheriff of Jefferson County.
• 2005: The Joe Muggs newsstand at Five Points South closed.
• 2004: Do Dah Day was held in the bowl parks on Highland Avenue.
• 1994: Pink Floyd's "The Division Bell" tour played at Legion Field.
• 1983: Gerry Mitchell opened Almost Famous art gallery at Five Points South.
• 1948: The 1948 Southern Negro Youth Conference opened at the Alliance Gospel Tabernacle, but was interrupted by the arrest of all white participants, including visiting U.S. Senator Glen Taylor.
• 1936: Ersie Bradford became the first African American to serve on a Jefferson County jury.
• 1935: The Birmingham School of the Bible held its first classes.
• 1933: Hugo Black recommended Cooper Green for Postmaster of Birmingham.
• 1925: The Redmont Hotel opened.
• 1917: The Smallman-Brice Construction Company was incorporated.
• 1908: The Mary Cahalan statue was dedicated at Capitol Park.
• 1898: Volunteers for the Spanish-American War left from the L & N Station for Mobile.
• 1888: The Steiner Brothers' Bank opened in the Hewlett Block on 1st Avenue North.
• 1887: Ferdinand Neville was appointed as the first full time chief of the Birmingham Fire Department.
• 1887: J. C. Marks & Company, a wholesale wine, liquor and cigar dealer, was organized.
• 1884: The first edition of The Weekly Iron Age was published.
• 1863: Union Colonel Streight's forces arrived in Blountsville.
• 1814: John Coffee's forces evacuated and burned Mad Town on the Cahaba River.

Bob Cain, born May 1, 1939

Births

• 1987: Former running back Glen Coffee was born in Valparaiso, Florida.
• 1970: Reporter Stephanie McCrummen was born in Birmingham.
• 1940: Presbyterian minister Bill Hay was born.
• 1939: Musician and club owner Bob Cain was born in Hartselle.
• 1915: Novelist Robert Gibbons was born in Tuscaloosa.
• 1864: Druggist and Alderman William Gunn was born in Coffee County, Tennessee.
• 1798: Physician and settler Daniel Davis was born in Pendleton District, South Carolina.

Deaths

• 2013: Mike Froning, founding director of the Birmingham Education Foundation, died in Birmingham.
• 1963: Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration founder Lee Bidgood died in Deland, Florida.

Sports

• 2006: Jimmie Johnson won the Aaron's 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway (held on Monday after a rain delay).
• 1998: Pensacola Barracudas 1 - Alabama Saints 0 at UAB's West Campus Field.
• 1983: Birmingham Stallions 35 - Washington Federals 3