May 22

2015		The Republic of Ireland, long known as a conservative, predominantly Catholic country, becomes the first nation in the world to legalize gay marriage in a public referendum.
Born on May 22
1813		Richard Wagner, German composer. Wagner's women http://gu.com/p/xf8eg/stw
1828		Albrecht von Graefe, German eye surgeon, founder of modern opthamology.
1844		Encyclopedia of Creativity (Second Edition) 2011, Pages 177–182 Mary Cassatt 1844–1926 T. Zausner Mary Cassatt, impressionist painter. Mary Cassatt (1844–1926), renowned for her depiction of women and children, was the only American member in the group of French artists known as the Impressionists. After exhibiting her work at the Paris Salon, Cassatt was invited to join the Impressionists by Edgar Degas. In addition to being a painter and a printmaker, Cassatt was also an advisor on art who influenced American collectors and subsequently impacted the holdings of major museums. She was also an early feminist and a strong supporter of women's rights, especially the right to vote. While Cassatt gained attention in America in her later years, she had greater success in France throughout her lifetime and at age 70 received their highest award, the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. After her death Mary Cassatt's fame increased greatly in America and the world, granting her a strong, secure, and admired place in the history of art.
1859		Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author, creator of the Sherlock Holmes series. Irene Adler: Forever Feminist http://the-artifice.com/irene-adler-forever-feminist/ #TV #feminism #IreneAdler #Sherlock #StevenMoffat #Study via @the_artifice
1907		Sir Laurence Olivier, actor.
1930		Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay politicians to win public office in the United States, a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.
1943		Betty Williams, Northern Irish political activist who won of the Nobel Peace Prize.