What Historic May Events Occurred on Your Birthday?
Our “This Day in History for May” section contains historical May events categorized by month and day. See what happened on your birthday, or any day of the year. Find out what happened on this day in May.
The World Health Organization announces that Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide. (1980)
May 9 Historical Events
A “Golden Spike” is driven into the railroad tracks at Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the tracks of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, creating the first Transcontinental railroad. (1869)
The syrup for Coca-Cola is invented by Atlanta Pharmacist John Styth Permerton. (1886)
The lawnmower is patented. (1899)
President Woodrow Wilson declares Mother’s Day. (1914)
Americans Richard Boyd and Floyd Bennett becomes the first to fly over the North Pole. (1926)
The Birth control pill is approved by the FDA. (1960)
May 10 Historical Events
The first U.S. Navy ship, named United States”, is launched. (1797)
The first Mother’s Day is observed in Philadelphia, PA. (190)
The first color pictures of Earth from space are sent back from Apollo 10. (1969)
Nelson Mandela becomes South Africa’s first black president. (1994)
Celebrate Mom on Mother's Day
May 11 Historical Events
Einstein presents his Theory of General Relativity. (1916)
General Electric opens the world’s first television station in Schenectady, NY. (1928)
BF Goodrich manufactures the first tubeless tire. (1947)
Jay Forrester patents computer core memory. (1951)
May 12 Historical Events
The flush toilet is patented. (1792)
Mormon pioneer William Clayton invents the odometer while crossing the western plains in a covered wagon. (1847)
The first National Hospital Day is celebrated honoring the birth of Florence Nightingale. (1921)
May 13 Historical Events
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s first opera “Apollo et Hyacinthus” premieres in Salzburg. He wrote it when he was 11 years old. (1767)
The Rolling Stones record the now-infamous song “Satisfaction”. (1965)
The Beatle’s movie “Let it Be” premieres. (1970)
“Mr. October”, Reggie Jackson becomes the first major league ballplayer to strike out 2,000 times. (1983)
May 14 Historical Events
A party of settlers led by John Smith established the first permanent English settlement in the New World at Jamestown Va. (1607)
Delegates gather in Philadelphia to draw up the Constitution of the United States of America. (1787)
Physician Edward Jenner develops a vaccine for smallpox. (1796)
Vaseline petroleum jelly slides onto store shelves for the first time. (1878)
The first U.S. space station, “Skylab” is launched. (1973)
The last episode of Seinfeld is aired. It’s a sad day in May for millions of Seinfeld followers. (1965)
A SpaceX Dragon becomes the first commercial spacecraft to dock at the International Space Station. (2012)
May 26 Historical Events
Lewis and Clark are the first to see the Rocky Mountains. (1805)
During WWII, the trapped British Expeditionary Force evacuates the European mainland from Dunkirk, France. (1940)
Michael Jackson marries Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley. (1994)
May 27 Historical Events
Achsah Young is the first woman to be executed as a witch in Massachusetts. (1647)
The pop-up toaster is patented. (1919)
Richard Gurley Drew receives a patent for cellophane tape. (1930)
The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge opens. Over 200,000 people go across it on opening day. (1937)
The German battleship Bismarck is sunk by the British Navy. (1941)
May 28 Historical Events
Dodge Brothers Inc. and Chrysler Corporation merge. (1928)
May 29 Historical Events
Famous Abraham Lincoln quote: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of time”. (1849)
The official flag of the President of the United States is adopted. (1916)
Albert Einstein publishes his Theory of Relativity. (1919)
Bing Crosby sings “White Christmas” into the record books as the biggest-selling record. (1942)
Sir Edmund Hillary is on top of the world. He is the first person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. (1953)
May 30 Historical Events
During the Hundred Years’ War, 19-year-old Joan of Arc is burned at the stake. (1431)
James Boyd patents the fire hose. (1821)
The brassiere is invented. As we understand, it received a lot of support. (1889)
The Lincoln Memorial is completed and dedicated by Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Taft. (1922)
May 31 Historical Events
U.S. Copyright law is enacted. (1790)
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patents “flaked cereal”. (1884)
Scotch Tape is patented. Invented by Richard Gurley Drew at 3M Company. (1930)
John Lennon and Yoko Ono record the song “Give Peace a Chance”. (1969)
The Trans-Alaska pipeline is completed. (1977)
Seinfeld television comedy show premieres. (1990)
The television reality show “Survivor” premieres. (2000)
Famous Birthdays Who else was born on your Birthday? Find out now!
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