Indianapolis 500
On May 30, 1911, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway held its first 200-lap, 500-mile race, dubbed the Indianapolis (or Indy) 500. Today, the speedway is the world’s largest sports facility, hosting “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Sports
First Game of Negro National League Baseball
On May 2, 1920, the first game of the Negro National Baseball League was played in Indianapolis, Indiana. The league produced a number of top players that eventually joined the Major Leagues.
Birth of Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr., was born on April 27, 1896, in Winters, Texas. Considered one of the best hitters of all time, some of his records remain unbroken today.
Opening of Original Yankee Stadium
On April 18, 1923, the Yankees played their first game in “The House that Ruth Built.”
Birth of the Stanley Cup
On March 18, 1892, Canada’s Lord Stanley of Preston announced he would donate a silver challenge cup to be awarded to the territory’s best hockey team. Today, the Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy in professional sports and the most revered symbol in hockey.
Happy Birthday Bobby Jones
Famed golfer Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1930, he became the first golfer to win all four major tournaments, achieving the sport’s first Grand Slam.
Naismith Publishes Rules of Basketball
On January 15, 1892, Dr. James Naismith published the rules for a sport he’d invented – basketball. It quickly caught on, with the first professional league forming in 1898.
The Curse of the Bambino
On December 26, 1919, Babe Ruth was sold by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees, ushering in the long-standing superstitious Curse of the Bambino.
Death of Rube Foster
Andrew “Rube” Foster died on December 9, 1930. Known as the “Father of Black Baseball,” he created the Negro National League, the first major professional baseball league for African American athletes.