Virginia Madsen

On May 28, 1937, Nazi Germany established a state-owned automobile company that would later become known as Volkswagen, meaning “People’s Car.” Headquartered in Wolfsburg and overseen by the German Labor Front, the company reflected Adolf Hitler’s goal of creating an affordable vehicle for ordinary German families while also supporting his growing autobahn highway system. Automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche was brought in to design the small, practical car that would eventually become famous around the world as the Beetle.

The original Volkswagen project was heavily tied to Nazi propaganda before World War II interrupted production. Although the car debuted publicly before the war, factory operations soon shifted toward wartime manufacturing instead of civilian vehicles. After Germany’s defeat, the damaged Volkswagen factory was rebuilt under Allied supervision and became a major part of the country’s economic recovery. During the 1950s and 1960s, clever advertising campaigns in the United States helped transform the oddly shaped little Beetle from a curiosity into one of the world’s most recognizable cars.

By the early 1970s, the Beetle’s aging design faced growing competition, prompting Volkswagen to introduce newer models such as the Rabbit and Golf. Even so, the Beetle remained a cultural icon for decades. Production of the original version finally ended in 2003 in Puebla, Mexico, after more than 21 million units had rolled off assembly lines worldwide. Not bad for a little car that once looked like it might never leave the starting line.

On May 28, 1998, the entertainment world was stunned when comedian and actor Phil Hartman was killed in a murder-suicide at his home in Encino, California. Hartman, who was 49 years old, had become one of television’s most respected comedic performers through his work on Saturday Night Live, where he spent eight seasons delivering memorable celebrity impressions and sharp comic performances. He later starred on the sitcom NewsRadio and became equally beloved for voicing characters such as Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz on The Simpsons.

Known among coworkers as warm, professional, and easygoing, Hartman built a career spanning television, film, voice acting, and advertising. His film appearances included Jingle All the Way and Small Soldiers, while his work on Saturday Night Live earned him an Emmy Award for writing in 1989. Hartman became especially famous for his impressions of public figures, including President Bill Clinton, and for his ability to play both straight-laced and wildly eccentric characters with equal skill.

The tragedy shocked Hollywood and fans around the world, particularly because Hartman’s public image was so positive and steady. Reports at the time noted that his wife, Brynn Hartman, had struggled with substance abuse issues prior to the incident. The couple had two children. Even decades later, Phil Hartman remains widely remembered as one of the most talented and versatile comedic performers of his generation, with many fans still considering him one of the greatest cast members in Saturday Night Live history.

On May 28, 2006, Barry Bonds made baseball history when he launched his 715th career home run over the center-field wall at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The milestone blast came off Colorado Rockies pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim and moved Bonds past legendary slugger Babe Ruth for second place on Major League Baseball’s all-time home run list. Although the San Francisco Giants lost the game 6-3 to the Colorado Rockies, the moment immediately became one of the defining highlights of Bonds’ controversial career.

At 41 years old, Bonds acknowledged the significance of surpassing Ruth, calling it “a great honor” and expressing respect for the baseball icon’s accomplishments. Just over a year later, Bonds would break another legendary record by passing Hank Aaron with his 756th home run, eventually finishing his career with 762. However, much of Bonds’ pursuit of baseball history unfolded under the cloud of allegations involving performance-enhancing drugs, accusations he repeatedly denied knowingly participating in.

Players from both teams recognized the importance of the occasion. Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel described the atmosphere as something everyone had been waiting to witness, while Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs later recalled getting goosebumps while watching the record-setting homer. Even years afterward, Bonds’ place in baseball history continued to spark debate, as fans and analysts wrestled with balancing his extraordinary achievements against the controversies that surrounded the era in which he played.