Moments in Time
The History Channel

+ On May 5, 1914, Erwin "Cannonball" Baker begins a cross-continental motorcycle trip on his 1,000cc V-twin Stutz Indian motorcycle. Starting in California, Baker traveled 3,379 miles across the U.S. Due to the poor roads and primitive "cradle-spring" shock absorption of his bike, he rode most of the way standing up.

+ On April 30, 1927, the Federal Industrial Institute for Women, the first women's federal prison, opens in Alderson, W.Va. The vast majority of the women were imprisoned for drug and alcohol charges imposed during the Prohibition era. Only one of the inmates was imprisoned for murder.

+ On May 6, 1940, John Steinbeck is awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel

"The Grapes of Wrath." The book traces the fictional Joad family of Oklahoma as they lose their family farm and move to California in search of a better life. One of Steinbeck's most effective works of social commentary, the novel also won the National Book Award.

+ On May 4, 1959, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announces the winners of the first Grammy Awards. Henry Mancini won the Best Album award for "The Music from Peter Gunn"; Perry Como was voted Best Male Vocalist and Ella Fitzgerald Best Female Vocalist.

+ On May 1, 1963, James Whittaker of Redmond, Wash., becomes the first American to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. Located in the central Himalayas on the border of China and Nepal, Everest stands 29,028 feet above sea level.

+ On May 2, 1972, Steven Spielberg begins filming "Jaws." The production, which used three mechanical sharks to great effect, grossed $458 million in its theatrical release.

+ On May 3, 1991, the prime-time soap opera "Dallas" airs its final episode. The show debuted in April 1978, and broke ratings records in 1980 when 83.6 million viewers tuned in to find out "Who Shot J.R.?"

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.