May 4, 1927 (Wednesday)
- At its annual meeting at Columbia University, the Simplified Spelling Board of America announced partial success in getting dictionary recognition of its alternative spelling of twelve words, with "program" (programme) and "catalog" (catalogue) coming into popular use. Other words were tho, altho, thru, thruout, thoro, thorofare, thoroly, decalog, pedagog and prolog"
- Captain Hawthorne C. Gray set an unofficial record for highest altitude reached by a human being, as he attained 42,470 feet (12,945 meters) in a balloon over Belleville, Illinois. Because of the rapid descent of the balloon, Gray parachuted out at 8,000 feet, disqualifying him from recognition by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which now bestows the "Academy Awards" (or "Oscars") for excellence in film, was incorporated.
- Died: General Rodolfo Gallegos, Mexican rebel leader who had led the April 19 train robbery and massacre, was shot while trying to flee federal authorities.
Read more about this topic: May 1927