May 31 is the 151st day of the year. There are 214 days remaining until the end of the year. This date is slightly more likely to fall on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday (58 in 400 years each) than on Friday or Saturday (57), and slightly less likely to occur on a Monday or Wednesday (56).
+ 1859 – The clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, which houses Big Ben, starts keeping time.
+ 1909 – The National Negro Committee, forerunner to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), convenes for the first time.
+ 1971 – In accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1968, observation of Memorial Day occurs on the last Monday in May for the first time, rather than on the traditional Memorial Day of May 30.
( Births )
+ 1930 – Clint Eastwood, American actor, director, and producer
+ 1938 – Johnny Paycheck, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2003)
+ 1943 – Joe Namath, American football player, sportscaster, and actor
+ 1965 – Brooke Shields, American model, actress, and producer
+ 1976 – Colin Farrell, Irish actor