May 1, 1931
Empire State Building Opens
When the Empire State Building threw open its doors for the first time on May 1, 1931, the occasion was marked with considerable fanfare. President Hoover himself participated in the dedication from a
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May in History
64 events
May 1, 1943
Coal Miners Strike: The Most Controversial Strike in History?
When the clock struck midnight on May 1, 1943, the existing contract between the United Mine Workers of America and the nation's coal mining companies came to an end. Within a single minute, an astoni
May 2, 1933
Hitler Banned Unions, Consolidating His Power
When Hitler initially rose to power, his position was far from secure. The Nazi party operated as just one member of a three-party coalition governing the country, which meant they lacked a parliament
May 2, 1949
Arthur Miller Wins a Pulitzer Prize for His Work "Death of A Salesman"
On May 2, 1949, the Pulitzer Prize was awarded to Arthur Miller for what many critics regard as one of the finest plays to emerge from the 20th century: _Death of a Salesman_. What made this achieveme
May 2, 2016
Bramble Cay melomys declared extinct thanks to climate change
Known alternatively as Bramble Cay mosaic-tailed rats, the Bramble Cay Melomys — bearing the scientific name Melomys rubicola — has grabbed global attention following its extinction. Global warming, a
May 3, 1926
Britain's First General Strike Begins. (Trade Union Congress Calls for Coal Miner Strike)
The British coal industry found itself in dire straits in the aftermath of World War One. Wartime had driven enormous demand for coal, but once the conflict ended, that demand dropped off dramatically
May 3, 1937
Hindenburg Disaster
On May 3, 1937, the Hindenburg departed Frankfurt, Germany, bound for Lakehurst's Naval Air Base on what was meant to be a routine transatlantic crossing. Aboard the massive airship were 36 passengers
May 3, 2000
The Start of Geocaching
Until May 2, 2000, GPS left a lot to be desired—but not because the technology itself was lacking. The real culprit was the US government, which deliberately degraded GPS accuracy in the name of natio
May 4, 1904
US Begins Work on the Panama Canal
The world was forever transformed when, on May 4, 1904, the United States launched what would become one of history's most ambitious, costly, and technically challenging engineering endeavors. It's wo
May 4, 1970
Kent State Shooting
The events of May 4, 1970, transformed Kent State University into a scene of sheer horror. What unfolded in a mere 13 seconds — when the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of 300 student demonstra
May 5, 1821
The Death of Napoleon Bonaparte in Exile
On the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena, Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final years after the British government banished him there following his decisive defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. The
May 5, 1981
Bobby Sands Dies After Hunger Strike
On May 5, 1981, Bobby Sands breathed his last inside Britain's notorious Maze prison. The fact that he belonged to the Irish Republican Army — the IRA — was hardly remarkable in itself. Plenty of IRA
May 6, 1856
The Birth of Sigmund Freud
On May 6, 1856, the world welcomed Sigmund Freud — a figure who would go on to become one of the most celebrated neurologists in history. His groundbreaking theory of psychoanalysis and deep investiga
May 7, 1915
RMS Lusitania Sinks
The Great War shattered every conventional understanding of armed conflict. It drew in nations from across the globe on a scale previously unimaginable, but perhaps more significantly, it unleashed mi
May 7, 1945
Germany Signed an Unconditional Surrender, Ending World War II
What happened on May 7, 1945, changed the course of history forever. On that day, Germany put its signature on the German Instrument of Surrender — an unconditional capitulation to the Allied Forces t
May 8, 1902
The Deadly Eruption of Mount Pelée
On May 8, 1902, the beautiful Caribbean Island of Martinique experienced an unimaginable catastrophe. Mount Pelée, long dormant but ominously rumbling for weeks, exploded with a violence beyond compre
May 8, 1977
Last case of smallpox discovered
Imagine a disease so devastating that it covered its victims in agonizing pustules across the head, trunk, and legs — and killed roughly 3 out of every 10 people it infected. Those fortunate enough to
May 8, 1980
WHO Declares Smallpox Is Eradicated
On May 8, 1980, the World Health Organization made a historic announcement: smallpox, one of humanity's deadliest scourges, had been wiped from existence. The weapon that ultimately brought it down? T
May 9, 1914
Woodrow Wilson Declares First Mother's Day
On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed the very first Mother's Day — a moment that gave birth to one of America's most beloved holidays. But while we now think of it as a strai
May 9, 1962
The Beatles Signed Their First Contract with EMI Parlophone
On May 9, 1962, a quartet of young Liverpool musicians walked into the EMI studios on Abbey Road and put pen to paper on their first recording contract with Parlophone Records, an EMI division. It was
May 10, 1775
Second Continental Congress Meets and Issues the First Paper Currency
On May 10, 1775, something happened that went far beyond a mere curiosity in monetary history — the Second Continental Congress authorized America's very first paper currency. This bold move would bec
May 10, 1924
The Appointment of J. Edgar Hoover as Head of FBI
It was on May 10, 1924, that J. Edgar Hoover officially stepped into the role of FBI director — a position he would never relinquish. For an astonishing 48 years, right up until his death in 1972, he
May 11, 330
Constantinople Declared New Capital of the Roman Empire
Few cities have left as deep an imprint on world history as Constantinople. It was in 324 AD that Emperor Constantine the Great established a new city in the region of Byzantium, initially calling it
May 11, 1812
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is Assassinated
On May 11, 1812, a man sitting quietly by the fireplace in the lobby of the House of Commons stood up as British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval walked in to attend a debate. Without uttering a single
May 12, 1820
The Birth of Florence Nightingale
On May 12, 1820, a child was born who would go on to transform the medical world forever. Florence Nightingale became one of the most influential figures in nursing history, championing the profession
May 12, 1932
Charles Lindbergh's Kidnapped Son Is Found Dead
The tragic conclusion to the Lindbergh baby kidnapping unfolded on May 12, 1932, when the infant's remains were discovered in Hopewell, New Jersey, not even a mile from where the Lindbergh family live
May 13, 1787
Arthur Phillip Begins Voyage to Australia with 11 Criminal Ships
What are the odds that a fleet of convict ships could lay the foundation for one of the most stable nations on Earth? On May 13, 1787, Arthur Phillip departed with the First Fleet — 11 ships packed wi
May 13, 1958
The Velcro Trademark
Most of us have had that maddening encounter with burs — those pesky, clingy "fruits" that latch onto everything from your socks to your hair. Picking them off one by one is an exercise in patience. S
May 14, 1939
5-Year-Old Peruvian Lina Medina Gives Birth, Becoming the Youngest Mother in History
On May 14, 1939, history witnessed one of its most baffling medical enigmas when Lina Medina, a 5-year-old girl from Peru, delivered a baby — making her the youngest confirmed mother the world has eve
May 14, 1973
The United States Launched Skylab into Orbit
When the United States sent Skylab hurtling into orbit on May 14, 1973, it represented a bold new chapter in American space exploration — the nation's very first space station. Conceived as an orbitin
May 15, 1940
First McDonald's Opens in San Bernardino, CA
The story of fast food as we know it traces back to May 15, 1940, when the McDonald brothers launched their very first restaurant in San Bernardino, California. What they created that day, however, lo
May 15, 1948
The Beginning of the Arab-Israeli War
The eruption of the first Arab-Israeli conflict on May 15, 1948, stands as one of the most consequential turning points the Middle East has ever witnessed. To understand why, you have to look at what
May 16, 1862
Union General Benjamin Butler Issued General Order No. 28
When Union forces under Major General Benjamin F. Butler marched into New Orleans in May of 1862, they were met with open hostility from the city's residents. Civilians — men and women alike — hurled
May 16, 2013
First successful cloning of human stem cells
It was on May 16, 2013, that scientists achieved a landmark breakthrough: the first successful cloning of human embryonic stem cells. This milestone arrived nearly seventeen years after Dolly the shee
May 17, 1875
First Kentucky Derby
On its own, the Kentucky Derby stands as a titan of the horse racing world — one of the three prestigious Triple Crown races, routinely drawing crowds that surpass 50,000 spectators. But rewind to its
May 17, 2004
Massachusetts Legalized Same-Sex Marriage
On May 17, 2004, history was made when Massachusetts broke new ground as the first state in the United States to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Before this groundbreaking moment,
May 18, 1896
Khodynka Tragedy in Russia Kills 1389 People
On May 18, 1896, a massive crowd descended upon Khodynka Field for festivities marking the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II. The field had been chosen as the venue specifically because it was spacious e
May 18, 1994
Israeli Troops Completed Withdrawal from the Gaza Strip
For decades, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had been defined by bitter disputes over land control, security, and borders. Then, in 1993, the Oslo Accords emerged as a framework aimed at finally brin
May 19, 1536
King Henry VIII's Second Wife, Anne Boleyn, Is Executed
On May 19, 1536, Anne Boleyn — the second wife of Henry VIII — met her end by execution, the culmination of what stands as one of the most flagrantly corrupt trials in all of history. The roots of thi
May 19, 1925
The Birth of Malcolm X
On May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, a child named Malcolm Little came into the world — a child who would eventually become one of the most powerful voices of the Civil Rights Movement. Known to histo
May 20, 1862
President Lincoln Signs the Homestead Act into Law
On May 20, 1862, 16th US President Abraham Lincoln put his signature on the Homestead Act — a sweeping piece of legislation that essentially handed over government land to ordinary citizens willing to
May 20, 1900
2nd Summer Olympic Games
Paris played host to a landmark sporting spectacle when the second Summer Olympic Games kicked off on May 20th, 1900. Officially dubbed the "Games of the Second Olympiad," this remarkable occasion was
May 21, 1991
The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi
On May 21, 1991, former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed when a 22-year-old woman carrying out a suicide mission set off a bomb in his presence. Gandhi had been making his way to a campai
May 21, 1999
Susan Lucci Wins Emmy After Most Unsuccessful Nominations
On May 21, 1999, one of the most talked-about losing streaks in Emmy history finally reached its conclusion: Susan Lucci took home the award for Best Actress. The victory was a long time coming, to sa
May 22, 1843
First Wagon Train Leaves Missouri
On May 22, 1843, a massive group of 1,000 people departed Independence, launching what would become known as the Great Emigration. Picture this: 1,000 men, women, and children gathering in the town of
May 22, 2010
The Crash of Air India Express Flight 812
On May 22, 2010, disaster unfolded at Mangalore International Airport in India when Air India Express flight 812 burst into flames during landing. Aboard the aircraft were 166 people — 160 passengers
May 23, 1785
Benjamin Franklin Invents Bifocals
Ever had trouble seeing things far away? Or maybe it's the close-up stuff that gets blurry? For countless people, one of these issues creeps in with age. It's no wonder that the invention of glasses d
May 23, 1980
The Premiere of "The Shining"
On May 23, 1980, audiences got their first look at _The Shining,_ a psychological horror film that would eventually be recognized as a masterpiece. The movie drew its story from Stephen King's wildly
May 24, 1883
The Official Opening of The Brooklyn Bridge
On May 24, 1883, New York witnessed a landmark moment as the legendary Brooklyn Bridge threw open its doors to the public for the very first time. Stretching across the East River, the bridge served t
May 24, 1978
Marilyn Loden coins the phrase "Glass Ceiling"
In 1978, the New York Telephone Company tapped Marilyn Loden to step in for one of its female vice presidents at the 1978 Women's Exposition in New York. The date was May 24, 1978, and Loden had been
May 25, 1914
The Passing of the Irish Home Rule Bill
When the Act of Union took effect in 1800, Ireland found itself absorbed into the United Kingdom, with governance concentrated entirely in the British Parliament in London. For a significant portion o
May 25, 1986
6.5 million people hold hands in "Hands Across America" movement
In today's digital age, rallying people behind a cause or raising funds is remarkably straightforward — a few clicks can connect you with supporters across the globe. But rewind to the 1980s, and the
May 26, 1923
The Inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans
Every year, drivers and machines are pushed to their absolute limits in the 24 Hours of Le Mans — an endurance car race unlike any other. The very first edition took place on May 26, 1923, racing alon
May 26, 1927
Ford Motor Company produces the last Model T
On May 26, 1927, a defining chapter in automotive history came to a close. Henry Ford, accompanied by his son Edsel, stood watching as the final car of the day made its way down the assembly line. Onc
May 27, 1930
Chrysler building opens to the public
When the Chrysler Building threw open its doors to the public on May 27, 1930, it claimed a remarkable title: the tallest building on the planet. That crown wouldn't last long — roughly a year later,
May 27, 2006
A Devastating Earthquake Struck Indonesia
Java's Yogyakarta region was rocked on May 27, 2006, by a catastrophic earthquake that reached a maximum magnitude of 6.4. The tremor originated along a fault line within the Sunda Plate — a zone noto
May 28, 1742
First Indoor Swimming Pool Opens
London during the 18th century wasn't exactly a comfortable place to live. With no air conditioning to speak of, summers turned brutally hot, and the streets were downright filthy. Naturally, plenty o
May 28, 1830
Andrew Jackson Signed The Indian Removal Act
On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson put his signature on the Indian Removal Act, turning it into federal law. The legislation's purpose was to push Native American tribes to lands west of the Mi
May 29, 1886
Coca-Cola Advertisements Begin by American Chemist John Pemberton
On May 29, 1886, American chemist John Pemberton launched advertisements for a freshly invented soft drink — one destined to become nothing less than an American icon: Coca-Cola. The remarkable thing?
May 29, 1922
The Final Ruling of the Federal Baseball Club vs. National League Supreme Court Case
On May 29, 1922, the Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision in the Federal Baseball Club vs. National League case — one that would reshape professional baseball for generations to come. The Cou
May 30, 1868
First Memorial Day
On May 30, 1868, Americans observed what would become known as Memorial Day for the first time — though back then, people called it "Decoration Day." The precise origins of this tradition have been lo
May 30, 1987
The Philips Company Unveiled Its Compact Disc Video
May 30, 1987, marked the day Philips pulled back the curtain on a largely forgotten piece of music tech: the Compact Disc Video. The idea behind it was straightforward — take the compact disc, already
May 31, 1279
Ramesses II Becomes Pharaoh
On May 31, 1279 BC, Ramesses II ascended to the throne of Ancient Egypt — and in doing so, launched what might be the most impressive personal branding campaign the ancient world ever saw. Often regar
May 31, 1819
The Birth of Walt Whitman
On May 31, 1819, in Long Island, New York, a literary giant entered the world — Walt Whitman, widely regarded as the Father of Free Verse. Some people wander through life trying to discover what makes