May 31

Video Games

1985: Apple Computer announces a restructuring of the company, eliminating the Macintosh and Apple II divisions, amalgamating them into manufacturing and marketing divisions. Steve Jobs is removed as a division manager.

1991: At the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, Illinois, Sony announces the Play Station video game system that can play Nintendo's new 16-bit game cartridges, as well as games on compact disk. The Play Station system is set to cost about US$400.

1998: Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat 4 video game for the PlayStation in the US.

2000: Midway releases the Gauntlet Legends video game for the Dreamcast.

2002: Market value of Microsoft: US$275.7 billion, second highest in the world.

2005: Advanced Micro Devices releases the Athlon 64 x2 Dual-Core 4200+, 4400+, 4600+, and 4800+ processors. Processor speed of the 4200+ and 4400+ is 2.2 GHz; speed of the other two is 2.4 GHz. Cache size of 4200+ and 4600+ is 512 kB; of 4400+ and 4800+ is 1 MB. Prices are US$537, US$581, US$803, US$1001, respectively, in 1000-unit quantities.

2006: The Game Critics Awards are announced:

2006: The Game Critics Awards announce the Best of E3 Awards: Best of Show: Wii; Best Hardware: Wii; Best Console Game: Gears of War; Best Handheld Game: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass; Best Sports Game: Wii Sports.

2006: Eidos releases the Hitman: Blood Money video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360 in the US.

2007: Dell announces job cuts of 10 percent over the next twelve months, a reduction of about 8800 employees.

2007: Sony Ericsson files a patent application in the USA for a mobile phone with video game features, with a swiveling screen.

Movies

1987: Dorothy Patrick, actress (Torch Song, New Orleans, High Wall), dies.

1990: The TV show The Seinfeld Chronicles debuts.

1992: NBC airs the final episode of the sitcom Night Court.

1993: John Granger, actor (Advise and Consent), dies at age 69.

2001: Death of Arlene Francis at age 93 of Alzheimer's and cancer in San Francisco, California, USA; actress and broadcaster (25 Broadway shows, host of NBC-TV's Home show, panelist on What's My Line 1950-75).

Music

1996: Death of Elsbeary Hobbs at age 59; singer (The Drifters).

Sports

1985: New Orleans Saints franchise is sold for US$70,204,000.

1986: The 1986 FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico.

1987: Cindy Rarick wins LPGA Corning Golf Classic.

1987: Stanley Cup: Edmonton Oilers beat Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 3.

1989: C L R James, cricket writer (distinguished Trinidadian), dies.

1990: BPAA US Women's Bowling Open won by Dana Miller-Mackie.

1990: Kemper Open).

1992: Barb Mucha wins LPGA Oldsmobile Golf Classic.

1993: Nike Dominion).

1994: San Diego Padres score 13 in second versus Pittsburgh Pirates.

1994: Youngstown Classic-9th).

1994: Doug Freeman, cricket player (two Tests of leg-spin for New Zealand 1933), dies.

1995: Futures-Great Britain).

1995: Tim Mara, owner (New York Giants), dies at age 59.

1996: FIFA decides to give the FIFA World Cup 2002 to Japan and South Korea, becoming the first World Cup with co-host countries in the history of the event, as well as the first World Cup in Asia.

1997: Canadian Donovan Bailey beats American Michael Johnson in 150-metre race.

2002: The 2002 FIFA World Cup begins, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

2008: Usain Bolt of Jamaica sets a world record of 9.72 seconds in the 100-metre sprint at the Reebok Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium in New York.

2009: In Valencia, Spain, round 5 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship is held. Race 1 is won by Yvan Muller; race 2 is won by Augusto Farfus.

2009: In Mugello, Italy, round 5 of the FIM MotoGP Championship is won by Casey Stoner.