What Happened on May 28, 1940

Day of the Week: Tuesday

Historical Events

  • Belgium surrenders to Germany, King Leopold III gives himself up
  • British-French troops capture Narvik, Norway

Music releaseMusic Premiere

Irving Berlin's musical "Louisiana Purchase" premieres in NYC

Composer and Lyricist Irving Berlin
Composer and Lyricist
Irving Berlin

Famous Birthdays


Person of interestBetty Shabazz

Betty Shabazz, American educator and civil rights activist who was the widow of Malcolm X, born in Pinehurst, Georgia (d. 1997)

Civil Rights Activist Betty Shabazz
Civil Rights Activist
Betty Shabazz
  • Hans Dulfer, tenor saxophonist/director (Paradiso)
  • Maeve Binchy [Snell], Irish novelist (Light a Penny Candle), born in Dalkey, Ireland (d. 2012)
  • Thomas E Petri, (Rep-R-WI, 1979- )

Famous Deaths

  • Friedrich Karl von Hessen (b. 1868)
  • Randle Ayrton, British actor (The Manxman, Nell Gwyn), dies at 70
  • Theodor Streicher, composer, dies at 65
  • Walter Connolly, American actor (It Happened One Night, Good Earth), dies from a stroke at 53