May 18: what happened on this day in history

Events on May 18 include:

United States presidential election: Joe Biden launches his presidential campaign (2019)
Mount St. Helens explosively erupted (pictured), killing approximately 57 people in southern Washington state, reducing hundreds of square miles to wasteland, and causing more than US$1 billion in damage (1980)
Rioting spreads to Miami's mostly African-American neighborhoods of Overtown and Liberty City following the previous day's courthouse protests (1980)

This page gathers 68 events, 219 births and 106 deaths recorded on this day, from the year 332 to 2026.

‹ May 17 May 19 ›

Events · United States

2019
United States presidential election: Joe Biden launches his presidential campaign. Wikipedia: 2020 United States presidential election
1980
Mount St. Helens explosively erupted (pictured), killing approximately 57 people in southern Washington state, reducing hundreds of square miles to wasteland, and causing more than US$1 billion in damage. Wikipedia: Mount St. Helens
1980
Rioting spreads to Miami's mostly African-American neighborhoods of Overtown and Liberty City following the previous day's courthouse protests. Wikipedia: 1980 Miami riots
1933
U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act establishing the Tennessee Valley Authority to stimulate the economic development of the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly impacted by the Great Depression. Wikipedia: Franklin D. Roosevelt Archive: Franklin D. Roosevelt. — Oslo Museum · Europeana
1927
Disgruntled school board treasurer Andrew Kehoe set off explosives with timers and a rifle, causing the Bath School disaster in the Bath Consolidated School in Michigan, killing 44 people in the deadliest mass murder in a school in United States history. Wikipedia: Board of education Archive: Bee-keeping for beginners, according to the syllabus of the Board of education for schools — Cornell University Library, 1903 · Europeana
1917
World War I: The Selective Service Act of 1917 is passed, giving the President of the United States the power of conscription. Wikipedia: World War I Archive: World War I: hospital beds — Wellcome Collection · Europeana
1896
Ruling in the landmark decision Plessy v. Ferguson, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the legality of racial segregation in public transportation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. Wikipedia: List of landmark court decisions in the United States
1863
American Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant led his Army of the Tennessee across the Big Black River in preparation for the Siege of Vicksburg. Wikipedia: American Civil War
1860
United States presidential election: Abraham Lincoln wins the Republican Party presidential nomination over William H. Seward, who later becomes the United States Secretary of State. Wikipedia: 1860 United States presidential election
1783
First United Empire Loyalists reach Parrtown (later called Saint John, New Brunswick), Canada, after leaving the United States. Wikipedia: United Empire Loyalist

Around the world

2026
A shooting carried out by two gunmen at the Islamic Center of San Diego results in the deaths of five people, including the perpetrators. Wikipedia: 2026 Islamic Center of San Diego shooting
2018
Cubana de Aviación Flight 0972 crashed near Santiago de las Vegas shortly after takeoff from José Martí International Airport, killing 112 of the 113 people on board. Wikipedia: Cubana de Aviación Flight 0972
2018
A school shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas kills ten people. Wikipedia: 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting
2015
At least 78 people die in a landslide caused by heavy rains in the Colombian town of Salgar. Wikipedia: 2015 Colombian landslide
2013
Mark Carson, an openly gay man, was murdered in a hate crime incident in New York City, prompting a 1,500-person march against anti-LGBTQ violence. Wikipedia: Murder of Mark Carson
2009
The Sri Lanka Army killed Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader and founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, to bring an end to the 26-year Sri Lankan civil war. Wikipedia: Sri Lanka Army
2006
The Parliament of Nepal unanimously voted to strip King Gyanendra of many of his powers. Wikipedia: Federal Parliament of Nepal
2005
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion publicly debuted at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Wikipedia: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
2005
A second photo from the Hubble Space Telescope confirms that Pluto has two additional moons, Nix and Hydra. Wikipedia: Hubble Space Telescope
1996
Ireland won the Eurovision song contest for the seventh time, the highest number of wins for any country before Sweden tied it in 2023. Wikipedia: Republic of Ireland
1994
Israeli troops finish withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, ceding the area to the Palestinian National Authority to govern. Wikipedia: Gaza Strip
1993
Riots in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, caused by the approval of the four Danish exceptions in the Maastricht Treaty referendum. Police open fire against civilians for the first time since World War II and injure 11 demonstrators. Wikipedia: Nørrebro
1991
Northern Somalia declares independence from the rest of Somalia as the Republic of Somaliland. Wikipedia: Somalia
1990
In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515.3 km/h (320.2 mph). Wikipedia: TGV
1980
Students in Gwangju, South Korea begin demonstrations calling for democratic reforms. Wikipedia: Gwangju Uprising
1977
Likud party wins the 1977 Israeli legislative election, with Menachem Begin, its founder, as the sixth Prime Minister of Israel. Wikipedia: Likud
1974
India conducted its first nuclear test explosion at Pokhran, the first confirmed nuclear test by a nation outside the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Wikipedia: Smiling Buddha
1973
Aeroflot Flight 109 is hijacked mid-flight and the aircraft is subsequently destroyed when the hijacker's bomb explodes, killing all 82 people on board. Wikipedia: Aeroflot Flight 109
1972
During approach to Kharkiv International Airport, Aeroflot Flight 1491 crashes near Ruska Lozova, killing all 112 aboard. Wikipedia: Kharkiv International Airport
1969
Apollo program: Apollo 10 is launched. Wikipedia: Apollo program
1965
Eli Cohen, a spy who is credited with gathering significant intelligence used by Israel during the Six-Day War, was publicly hanged in Syria. Wikipedia: Eli Cohen
1962
The French government and representatives of the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic reach a settlement to end the Algerian war in the Évian Accords. Wikipedia: Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic
1955
Operation Passage to Freedom, the evacuation of 310,000 Vietnamese civilians, soldiers and non-Vietnamese members of the French Army from communist North Vietnam to South Vietnam following the end of the First Indochina War, ended. Wikipedia: Operation Passage to Freedom
1953
Jacqueline Cochran becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier. Wikipedia: Jacqueline Cochran
1952
First Indochina War: Viet Minh forces overran a French and Laotian garrison at Muong Khoua, leaving only four survivors. Wikipedia: First Indochina War
1948
The First Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China officially convenes in Nanking. Wikipedia: Legislative Yuan
1944
The Soviet Union forcibly deported hundreds of thousands of Crimean Tatars to the Uzbek SSR and elsewhere in the country. Wikipedia: Deportation of the Crimean Tatars
1944
World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino: Conclusion after seven days of the fourth battle as German paratroopers evacuate Monte Cassino. Wikipedia: World War II
1936
In a crime that captivated Japan, Sada Abe strangled her lover, cut off his genitals, and carried them around with her for several days until her arrest. Wikipedia: Sada Abe
1927
After being founded for 20 years, the Nationalist government approves Tongji University to be among its first national universities. Wikipedia: Nationalist government
1926
Pentecostal evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson (pictured) was reportedly kidnapped near Venice Beach in Los Angeles before reappearing five weeks later in Mexico. Wikipedia: Pentecostalism
1922
Seamus Woods and Roger McCorley lead an Irish Republican Army attack on the headquarters of the Royal Irish Constabulary in Belfast. Wikipedia: Seamus Woods
1912
The first Indian film, Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne, is released in Mumbai. Wikipedia: Cinema of India
1900
The United Kingdom proclaims a protectorate over Tonga. Wikipedia: Protectorate
1896
Khodynka Tragedy: A mass panic on Khodynka Field in Moscow during the festivities of the coronation of Russian Tsar Nicholas II results in the deaths of 1,389 people. Wikipedia: Khodynka Tragedy
1848
Opening of the first German National Assembly (Nationalversammlung) in Frankfurt, Germany. Wikipedia: National Assembly
1843
The Disruption in Edinburgh of the Free Church of Scotland from the Church of Scotland. Wikipedia: Disruption of 1843
1812
John Bellingham is found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging for the assassination of British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval. Wikipedia: John Bellingham
1811
Battle of Las Piedras: The first great military triumph of the revolution of the Río de la Plata in Uruguay led by José Artigas. Wikipedia: Battle of Las Piedras (1811)
1804
Napoleon Bonaparte is proclaimed Emperor of the French by the French Senate. Wikipedia: Napoleon
1803
Napoleonic Wars: The United Kingdom revokes the Treaty of Amiens and declares war on France. Wikipedia: Napoleonic Wars
1794
Battle of Tourcoing during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition. Wikipedia: Battle of Tourcoing
1756
The Seven Years' War begins when Great Britain declares war on France. Wikipedia: Seven Years' War
1695
An earthquake measuring .mw-parser-output .tooltip-dotted{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}Ms 7.8 struck Shanxi Province in northern China, resulting in at least 52,600 deaths. Wikipedia: 1695 Linfen earthquake
1652
Slavery in Rhode Island is abolished, although the law is not rigorously enforced. Wikipedia: History of Rhode Island
1631
In Dorchester, Massachusetts, John Winthrop takes the oath of office and becomes the first Governor of Massachusetts. Wikipedia: Dorchester, Boston
1593
Playwright Thomas Kyd's accusations of heresy lead to an arrest warrant for Christopher Marlowe. Wikipedia: Thomas Kyd
1565
The Great Siege of Malta begins, in which Ottoman forces attempt and fail to conquer Malta. Wikipedia: Great Siege of Malta
1499
Alonso de Ojeda sets sail from Cádiz on his voyage to what is now Venezuela. Wikipedia: Alonso de Ojeda
1388
At the Battle of Buir Lake, a Ming Chinese army led by general Lan Yu defeated the forces of Tögüs Temür, the Mongol khan of Northern Yuan. Wikipedia: Battle of Buir Lake
1302
Armed insurrectionists massacred the occupying French garrison in Bruges, Flanders, killing approximately 2,000 people. Wikipedia: Matins of Bruges
1291
Fall of Acre, the end of Crusader presence in the Holy Land. Wikipedia: Siege of Acre (1291)
1268
The Principality of Antioch, a crusader state, falls to the Mamluk Sultan Baibars in the Siege of Antioch. Wikipedia: Principality of Antioch
1152
The future Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. He would become king two years later, after the death of his cousin once removed King Stephen of England. Wikipedia: Henry II of England
1096
First Crusade: Around 800 Jews are massacred in Worms, Germany. Wikipedia: First Crusade
1012
Pope Benedict VIII begins his papacy following the death of his predecessor Pope Sergius IV earlier that month. Wikipedia: Pope Benedict VIII
872
Louis II of Italy is crowned for the second time as Holy Roman Emperor at Rome, at the age of 47. His first coronation was 28 years earlier, in 844, during the reign of his father Lothair I. Wikipedia: Louis II of Italy
332
Emperor Constantine the Great announces free distributions of food to the citizens in Constantinople. Wikipedia: Constantine the Great

World days

International Museum Day Wikipedia: International Museum Day

Technology

1953
Jacqueline Cochran becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier. Wikipedia: Jacqueline Cochran

Today's news: Technology ›

Science

2005
A second photo from the Hubble Space Telescope confirms that Pluto has two additional moons, Nix and Hydra. Wikipedia: Hubble Space Telescope
1969
Apollo program: Apollo 10 is launched. Wikipedia: Apollo program

Today's news: Science ›

Business

1933
U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act establishing the Tennessee Valley Authority to stimulate the economic development of the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly impacted by the Great Depression. Wikipedia: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Today's news: Business ›

Sport

No entries.

Today's news: Sport ›

Culture

1912
The first Indian film, Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne, is released in Mumbai. Wikipedia: Cinema of India

Today's news: Culture ›

Births

2009
Hala Finley, American actress Wikipedia: Hala Finley
2003
Travis Hunter, American football player Wikipedia: Travis Hunter
2002
Alina Zagitova, Russian figure skater Wikipedia: Alina Zagitova
2001
Emma Navarro, American tennis player Wikipedia: Emma Navarro
2001
Grace Reiter, American actress, comedian, and content creator Wikipedia: Grace Reiter
2000
Ryan Sessegnon, English footballer Wikipedia: Ryan Sessegnon
2000
Steven Sessegnon, English footballer Wikipedia: Steven Sessegnon
1999
Laura Omloop, Belgian singer-songwriter Wikipedia: Laura Omloop
1998
Polina Edmunds, American figure skater Wikipedia: Polina Edmunds
1993
Stuart Percy, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia: Stuart Percy
1993
Jessica Watson, Australian sailor Wikipedia: Jessica Watson
1992
Adwoa Aboah, British fashion model Wikipedia: Adwoa Aboah
1990
Dimitri Daeseleire, Belgian footballer Wikipedia: Dimitri Daeseleire
1990
Yuya Osako, Japanese footballer Wikipedia: Yuya Osako
1990
Josh Starling, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia: Josh Starling
1988
Taeyang, South Korean singer Wikipedia: Taeyang
1986
Kevin Anderson, South African tennis player Wikipedia: Kevin Anderson (tennis)
1985
Oliver Sin, Hungarian painter Wikipedia: Oliver Sin
1985
Henrique Sereno, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia: Henrique Sereno
1984
Ivet Lalova, Bulgarian sprinter Wikipedia: Ivet Lalova-Collio
1984
Simon Pagenaud, French race car driver Wikipedia: Simon Pagenaud
1984
Darius Šilinskis, Lithuanian basketball player Wikipedia: Darius Šilinskis
1984
Joakim Soria, Mexican baseball player Wikipedia: Joakim Soria
1984
Niki Terpstra, Dutch cyclist Wikipedia: Niki Terpstra
1983
Gary O'Neil, English footballer Wikipedia: Gary O'Neil
1983
Luis Terrero, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia: Luis Terrero
1983
Vince Young, American football player Wikipedia: Vince Young
1982
Jason Brown, English footballer Wikipedia: Jason Brown (footballer)
1982
Marie-Ève Pelletier, Canadian tennis player Wikipedia: Marie-Ève Pelletier
1981
Mahamadou Diarra, Malian international footballer Wikipedia: Mahamadou Diarra
1981
Ashley Harrison, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia: Ashley Harrison
1980
Reggie Evans, American basketball player Wikipedia: Reggie Evans
1980
Michaël Llodra, French tennis player Wikipedia: Michaël Llodra
1980
Diego Pérez, Uruguayan footballer Wikipedia: Diego Pérez (footballer)
1979
Jens Bergensten, Swedish video game designer, co-designed Minecraft Wikipedia: Jens Bergensten
1979
Mariusz Lewandowski, Polish footballer Wikipedia: Mariusz Lewandowski
1979
Michal Martikán, Slovak slalom canoeist Wikipedia: Michal Martikán
1979
Milivoje Novaković, Slovenian footballer Wikipedia: Milivoje Novaković
1979
Julián Speroni, Argentinian footballer Wikipedia: Julián Speroni
1978
Ricardo Carvalho, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia: Ricardo Carvalho
1978
Marcus Giles, American baseball player Wikipedia: Marcus Giles
1978
Charles Kamathi, Kenyan runner Wikipedia: Charles Kamathi
1977
Lee Hendrie, English footballer Wikipedia: Lee Hendrie
1977
Danny Mills, English footballer and sportscaster Wikipedia: Danny Mills
1977
Li Tie, Chinese footballer and manager Wikipedia: Li Tie
1976
Ron Mercer, American basketball player Wikipedia: Ron Mercer
1976
Marko Tomasović, Croatian pianist and composer Wikipedia: Marko Tomasović (composer)
1976
Oleg Tverdovsky, Ukrainian-Russian ice hockey player Wikipedia: Oleg Tverdovsky
1975
Jem, Welsh singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia: Jem (singer)
1975
John Higgins, Scottish snooker player Wikipedia: John Higgins
1975
Jack Johnson, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia: Jack Johnson (musician)
1975
Ingvild Kjerkol, Norwegian politician Wikipedia: Ingvild Kjerkol
1974
Nelson Figueroa, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia: Nelson Figueroa
1973
Donyell Marshall, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia: Donyell Marshall
1973
Aleksandr Olerski, Estonian footballer (died 2011) Wikipedia: Aleksandr Olerski
1972
Turner Stevenson, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia: Turner Stevenson
1971
Brad Friedel, American international soccer player, manager and sportscaster Wikipedia: Brad Friedel
1971
Mark Menzies, Scottish politician Wikipedia: Mark Menzies
1971
Nobuteru Taniguchi, Japanese race car driver Wikipedia: Nobuteru Taniguchi
1970
Javier Cárdenas, Spanish singer, television and radio presenter Wikipedia: Javier Cárdenas (presenter)
1970
Tina Fey, American actress, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia: Tina Fey
1970
Tim Horan, Australian rugby player and sportscaster Wikipedia: Tim Horan
1970
Billy Howerdel, American guitarist, songwriter, and producer Wikipedia: Billy Howerdel
1970
Vicky Sunohara, Canadian former ice hockey player Wikipedia: Vicky Sunohara
1969
Troy Cassar-Daley, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia: Troy Cassar-Daley
1969
Martika, American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress Wikipedia: Martika
1969
Antônio Carlos Zago, Brazilian footballer and manager Wikipedia: Antônio Carlos Zago
1968
Philippe Benetton, French rugby player Wikipedia: Philippe Benetton
1968
Ralf Kelleners, German race car driver Wikipedia: Ralf Kelleners
1967
Nina Björk, Swedish journalist and author Wikipedia: Nina Björk
1967
Heinz-Harald Frentzen, German race car driver Wikipedia: Heinz-Harald Frentzen
1967
Nancy Juvonen, American screenwriter and producer, co-founded Flower Films Wikipedia: Nancy Juvonen
1967
Mimi Macpherson, Australian environmentalist, entrepreneur and celebrity Wikipedia: Mimi Macpherson
1966
Renata Nielsen, Polish-Danish long jumper and coach Wikipedia: Renata Nielsen
1966
Michael Tait, American singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia: Michael Tait
1964
Ignasi Guardans, Spanish academic and politician Wikipedia: Ignasi Guardans
1963
Marty McSorley, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia: Marty McSorley
1963
Sam Vincent, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia: Sam Vincent (basketball)
1961
Russell Senior, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia: Russell Senior
1960
Brent Ashton, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia: Brent Ashton
1960
Jari Kurri, Finnish ice hockey player, coach, and manager Wikipedia: Jari Kurri
1960
Yannick Noah, French tennis player Wikipedia: Yannick Noah
1959
Graham Dilley, English cricketer and coach (died 2011) Wikipedia: Graham Dilley
1959
Jay Wells, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia: Jay Wells
1958
Rubén Omar Romano, Argentinian-Mexican footballer and coach Wikipedia: Rubén Omar Romano
1958
Toyah Willcox, English singer-songwriter, producer, and actress Wikipedia: Toyah Willcox
1957
Michael Cretu, Romanian-German keyboard player and producer Wikipedia: Michael Cretu
1957
Henrietta Moore, English anthropologist and academic Wikipedia: Henrietta Moore
1956
Catherine Corsini, French director and screenwriter Wikipedia: Catherine Corsini
1956
John Godber, English playwright and screenwriter Wikipedia: John Godber
1956
Jim Moginie, Australian guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia: Jim Moginie
1955
Chow Yun-fat, Hong Kong actor and screenwriter Wikipedia: Chow Yun-fat
1954
Wreckless Eric, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia: Wreckless Eric
1954
Eric Gerets, Belgian footballer and manager Wikipedia: Eric Gerets
1953
Alan Kupperberg, American author and illustrator (died 2015) Wikipedia: Alan Kupperberg
1952
Diane Duane, American author and screenwriter Wikipedia: Diane Duane
1952
David Leakey, English general and politician Wikipedia: David Leakey
1952
George Strait, American singer, guitarist and producer Wikipedia: George Strait
1952
Jeana Yeager, American pilot Wikipedia: Jeana Yeager
1951
Richard Clapton, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia: Richard Clapton
1951
Jim Sundberg, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia: Jim Sundberg
1951
Angela Voigt, German long jumper (died 2013) Wikipedia: Angela Voigt
1950
Rod Milburn, American hurdler and coach (died 1997) Wikipedia: Rod Milburn
1950
Mark Mothersbaugh, American singer-songwriter and painter Wikipedia: Mark Mothersbaugh
1949
Walter Hawkins, American gospel music singer and pastor (died 2010) Wikipedia: Walter Hawkins
1949
Rick Wakeman, English progressive rock keyboardist and songwriter Wikipedia: Rick Wakeman
1948
Joe Bonsall, American country/gospel singer (died 2024) Wikipedia: Joe Bonsall
1948
Yi Mun-yol, South Korean author and academic Wikipedia: Yi Munyeol
1948
Richard Swedberg, Swedish sociologist and academic Wikipedia: Richard Swedberg
1948
Tom Udall, American lawyer and politician, 28th New Mexico Attorney General, United States Senator from New Mexico Wikipedia: Tom Udall
1947
John Bruton, Irish politician, 10th Taoiseach of Ireland (died 2024) Wikipedia: John Bruton
1946
Frank Hsieh, Taiwanese lawyer and politician, 40th Premier of the Republic of China Wikipedia: Frank Hsieh
1946
Reggie Jackson, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia: Reggie Jackson
1946
Gerd Langguth, German political scientist and author (died 2013) Wikipedia: Gerd Langguth
1945
Gail Strickland, American actress Wikipedia: Gail Strickland
1944
Albert Hammond, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia: Albert Hammond
1944
W. G. Sebald, German novelist, essayist, and poet (died 2001) Wikipedia: W. G. Sebald
1943
Jimmy Snuka, Fijian wrestler (died 2017) Wikipedia: Jimmy Snuka
1942
Nobby Stiles, English footballer, coach, and manager (died 2020) Wikipedia: Nobby Stiles
1941
Gino Brito, Canadian wrestler and promoter Wikipedia: Gino Brito
1941
Malcolm Longair, Scottish astronomer, physicist, and academic Wikipedia: Malcolm Longair
1941
Miriam Margolyes, English-Australian actress and singer Wikipedia: Miriam Margolyes
1940
Erico Aumentado, Filipino journalist, lawyer, and politician (died 2012) Wikipedia: Erico Aumentado
1939
Patrick Cormack, Baron Cormack, English historian, journalist, and politician (died 2024) Wikipedia: Patrick Cormack
1939
Giovanni Falcone, Italian lawyer and judge (died 1992) Wikipedia: Giovanni Falcone
1939
Gordon O'Connor, Canadian general and politician, 38th Canadian Minister of Defence Wikipedia: Gordon O'Connor
1938
Janet Fish, American painter and academic Wikipedia: Janet Fish
1937
Brooks Robinson, American baseball player and sportscaster (died 2023) Wikipedia: Brooks Robinson
1937
Jacques Santer, Luxembourger jurist and politician, 22nd Prime Minister of Luxembourg Wikipedia: Jacques Santer
1936
Leon Ashley, American singer-songwriter (died 2013) Wikipedia: Leon Ashley
1936
Türker İnanoğlu, Turkish director, producer, and screenwriter (died 2024) Wikipedia: Türker İnanoğlu
1936
Michael Sandle, English sculptor and academic Wikipedia: Michael Sandle
1935
Pádraig Ó Snodaigh, Irish activist and writer (died 2025) Wikipedia: Pádraig Ó Snodaigh
1934
Dwayne Hickman, American actor and director (died 2022) Wikipedia: Dwayne Hickman
1933
Bernadette Chirac, French politician, First Lady of France (died 2026) Wikipedia: Bernadette Chirac
1933
H. D. Deve Gowda, Indian farmer and politician, 11th Prime Minister of India Wikipedia: H. D. Deve Gowda
1933
Don Whillans, English rock climber and mountaineer (died 1985) Wikipedia: Don Whillans
1931
Don Martin, American cartoonist (died 2000) Wikipedia: Don Martin (cartoonist)
1931
Robert Morse, American actor (died 2022) Wikipedia: Robert Morse
1931
Kalju Pitksaar, Estonian chess player (died 1995) Wikipedia: Kalju Pitksaar
1931
Clément Vincent, Canadian farmer and politician (died 2018) Wikipedia: Clément Vincent
1930
Warren Rudman, American soldier, lawyer, and politician (died 2012) Wikipedia: Warren Rudman
1930
Fred Saberhagen, American soldier and author (died 2007) Wikipedia: Fred Saberhagen
1929
Jack Sanford, American baseball player and coach (died 2000) Wikipedia: Jack Sanford
1929
Norman St John-Stevas, Baron St John of Fawsley, English lawyer and politician, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (died 2012) Wikipedia: Norman St John-Stevas
1928
Pernell Roberts, American actor (died 2010) Wikipedia: Pernell Roberts
1927
Richard Body, English politician (died 2018) Wikipedia: Richard Body
1927
Ray Nagel, American football player and coach (died 2015) Wikipedia: Ray Nagel
1925
Lillian Hoban, American author and illustrator (died 1998) Wikipedia: Lillian Hoban
1924
Priscilla Pointer, American actress (died 2025) Wikipedia: Priscilla Pointer
1924
Jack Whitaker, American sportscaster (died 2019) Wikipedia: Jack Whitaker
1923
Jean-Louis Roux, Canadian actor and politician, 34th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (died 2013) Wikipedia: Jean-Louis Roux
1923
Hugh Shearer, Jamaican journalist and politician, 3rd Prime Minister of Jamaica (died 2004) Wikipedia: Hugh Shearer
1922
Bill Macy, American actor (died 2019) Wikipedia: Bill Macy
1922
Kai Winding, Danish-American trombonist and composer (died 1983) Wikipedia: Kai Winding
1921
Joan Eardley, British artist (died 1963) Wikipedia: Joan Eardley
1921
Michael A. Epstein, English pathologist and academic (died 2024) Wikipedia: Anthony Epstein
1920
Pope John Paul II (died 2005) Wikipedia: Pope John Paul II
1920
Anthony Storr, English psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and author (died 2001) Wikipedia: Anthony Storr
1919
Margot Fonteyn, British ballerina (died 1991) Wikipedia: Margot Fonteyn
1917
Bill Everett, American author and illustrator (died 1973) Wikipedia: Bill Everett
1914
Pierre Balmain, French fashion designer, founded Balmain (died 1982) Wikipedia: Pierre Balmain
1914
Boris Christoff, Bulgarian-Italian opera singer (died 1993) Wikipedia: Boris Christoff
1913
Jane Birdwood, Baroness Birdwood, Canadian-English publisher and politician (died 2000) Wikipedia: Jane Birdwood, Baroness Birdwood
1912
Richard Brooks, American director, producer, and screenwriter (died 1992) Wikipedia: Richard Brooks
1912
Perry Como, American singer and television host (died 2001) Wikipedia: Perry Como
1912
Walter Sisulu, South African politician (died 2003) Wikipedia: Walter Sisulu
1911
Big Joe Turner, American blues/R&B singer (died 1985) Wikipedia: Big Joe Turner
1910
Ester Boserup, Danish economist and author (died 1999) Wikipedia: Ester Boserup
1909
Fred Perry, English tennis player and academic (died 1995) Wikipedia: Fred Perry
1907
Irene Hunt, American author and educator (died 2001) Wikipedia: Irene Hunt
1905
Ruth Alexander, pioneering American pilot (died 1930) Wikipedia: Ruth Alexander
1905
Hedley Verity, English cricketer and soldier (died 1943) Wikipedia: Hedley Verity
1904
Jacob K. Javits, American colonel and politician, 58th New York Attorney General (died 1986) Wikipedia: Jacob Javits
1904
Shunryū Suzuki, Japanese-American monk and educator (died 1971) Wikipedia: Shunryū Suzuki
1902
Meredith Willson, American playwright and composer (died 1984) Wikipedia: Meredith Willson
1901
Henri Sauguet, French composer (died 1989) Wikipedia: Henri Sauguet
1901
Vincent du Vigneaud, American biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 1978) Wikipedia: Vincent du Vigneaud
1898
Faruk Nafiz Çamlıbel, Turkish poet, author, and playwright (died 1973) Wikipedia: Faruk Nafiz Çamlıbel
1897
Frank Capra, Italian-American director, producer, and screenwriter (died 1991) Wikipedia: Frank Capra
1896
Eric Backman, Swedish runner (died 1965) Wikipedia: Eric Backman
1895
Augusto César Sandino, Nicaraguan rebel leader (died 1934) Wikipedia: Augusto César Sandino
1892
Ezio Pinza, Italian-American actor and singer (died 1957) Wikipedia: Ezio Pinza
1891
Rudolf Carnap, German-American philosopher and academic (died 1970) Wikipedia: Rudolf Carnap
1889
Thomas Midgley Jr., American chemist and engineer (died 1944) Wikipedia: Thomas Midgley Jr.
1888
(O.S.) Hanna Barysevich, the oldest female resident of Belarus not registered by the Guinness Book of Records. (died 2007) Wikipedia: Belarus
1886
Jeanie MacPherson, American actress and screenwriter (died 1946) Wikipedia: Jeanie MacPherson
1883
Eurico Gaspar Dutra, Brazilian marshal and politician, 16th President of Brazil (died 1974) Wikipedia: Eurico Gaspar Dutra
1883
Walter Gropius, German-American architect, designed the John F. Kennedy Federal Building (died 1969) Wikipedia: Walter Gropius
1882
Babe Adams, American baseball player, manager, and journalist (died 1968) Wikipedia: Babe Adams
1878
Johannes Terwogt, Dutch rower (died 1977) Wikipedia: Johannes Terwogt
1876
Hermann Müller, German journalist and politician, 12th Chancellor of Germany (died 1931) Wikipedia: Hermann Müller (politician, born 1876)
1872
Bertrand Russell, British mathematician, historian, and philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate (died 1970) Wikipedia: Bertrand Russell
1871
Denis Horgan, Irish shot putter and weight thrower (died 1922) Wikipedia: Denis Horgan
1869
Lucy Beaumont, English-American actress (died 1937) Wikipedia: Lucy Beaumont (actress)
1868
Nicholas II of Russia (died 1918) Wikipedia: Nicholas II
1867
Minakata Kumagusu, Japanese author, biologist, naturalist and ethnologist (died 1941) Wikipedia: Minakata Kumagusu
1862
Josephus Daniels, American publisher and politician, 41st United States Secretary of the Navy (died 1948) Wikipedia: Josephus Daniels
1855
Francis Bellamy, American minister and author (died 1931) Wikipedia: Francis Bellamy
1854
Bernard Zweers, Dutch composer and educator (died 1924) Wikipedia: Bernard Zweers
1852
Gertrude Käsebier, American photographer (died 1934) Wikipedia: Gertrude Käsebier
1851
James Budd, American lawyer and politician, 19th Governor of California (died 1908) Wikipedia: James Budd
1851
Simon Kahquados, Potawatomi political activist (died 1930) Wikipedia: Simon Kahquados
1850
Oliver Heaviside, English engineer, mathematician, and physicist (died 1925) Wikipedia: Oliver Heaviside
1835
Charles N. Sims, American Methodist preacher and 3rd chancellor of Syracuse University (died 1908) Wikipedia: Charles N. Sims
1824
Wilhelm Hofmeister, German botanist (died 1877) Wikipedia: Wilhelm Hofmeister
1822
Mathew Brady, American photographer and journalist (died 1896) Wikipedia: Mathew Brady
1797
Frederick Augustus II of Saxony (died 1854) Wikipedia: Frederick Augustus II of Saxony
1785
John Wilson, Scottish author and critic (died 1854) Wikipedia: John Wilson (Scottish writer)
1778
Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Irish soldier and diplomat, British Ambassador to Austria (died 1854) Wikipedia: Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry
1777
John George Children, English chemist, mineralogist, and zoologist (died 1852) Wikipedia: John George Children
1711
Roger Joseph Boscovich, Ragusan physicist, astronomer, and mathematician (died 1787) Wikipedia: Roger Joseph Boscovich
1692
(O.S.) Joseph Butler, English bishop, theologian, and apologist (died 1752) Wikipedia: Old Style and New Style dates
1662
George Smalridge, English bishop (died 1719) Wikipedia: George Smalridge
1631
Stanislaus Papczyński, Polish priest and saint (died 1701) Wikipedia: Stanislaus Papczyński
1537
Guido Luca Ferrero, Roman Catholic cardinal (died 1585) Wikipedia: Guido Luca Ferrero
1450
Piero Soderini, Italian politician and diplomat (died 1513) Wikipedia: Piero Soderini
1186
Konstantin of Rostov (died 1218) Wikipedia: Konstantin of Rostov
1048
Omar Khayyám, Persian mathematician, astronomer, and poet (died 1131) Wikipedia: Omar Khayyam

Deaths

2026
Tom Kane, American voice actor (born 1962) Wikipedia: Tom Kane
2024
Bruce Nordstrom, American businessman (born 1933) Wikipedia: Bruce Nordstrom
2024
Tony O'Reilly, Irish rugby player and businessman (born 1936) Wikipedia: Tony O'Reilly
2024
Alice Stewart, American political commentator (born 1966) Wikipedia: Alice Stewart (commentator)
2023
Jim Brown, American football player, civil rights activist, and actor (born 1936) Wikipedia: Jim Brown
2021
Charles Grodin, American actor and talk show host (born 1935) Wikipedia: Charles Grodin
2021
Yolanda Tortolero, Venezuelan politician Wikipedia: Yolanda Tortolero
2020
Ken Osmond, American actor and police officer (born 1943) Wikipedia: Ken Osmond
2019
Austin Eubanks, American addiction recovery advocate, survivor of the Columbine shooting (born 1981) Wikipedia: Austin Eubanks
2017
Roger Ailes, American businessman (born 1940) Wikipedia: Roger Ailes
2017
Chris Cornell, American singer (born 1964) Wikipedia: Chris Cornell
2017
Jacque Fresco, American engineer and academic (born 1916) Wikipedia: Jacque Fresco
2015
Halldór Ásgrímsson, Icelandic accountant and politician, 22nd Prime Minister of Iceland (born 1947) Wikipedia: Halldór Ásgrímsson
2015
Raymond Gosling, English physicist and academic (born 1926) Wikipedia: Raymond Gosling
2015
Jean-François Théodore, French businessman (born 1946) Wikipedia: Jean-François Théodore
2014
Dobrica Ćosić, Serbian politician, 1st President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (born 1921) Wikipedia: Dobrica Ćosić
2014
Hans-Peter Dürr, German physicist and academic (born 1929) Wikipedia: Hans-Peter Dürr
2014
Kaiketsu Masateru, Japanese sumo wrestler (born 1948) Wikipedia: Kaiketsu Masateru
2014
Chukwuedu Nwokolo, Nigerian physician and academic (born 1921) Wikipedia: Chukwuedu Nwokolo
2014
Wubbo Ockels, Dutch physicist and astronaut (born 1946) Wikipedia: Wubbo Ockels
2013
Aleksei Balabanov, Russian director and screenwriter (born 1959) Wikipedia: Aleksei Balabanov
2013
Jo Benkow, Norwegian soldier and politician (born 1924) Wikipedia: Jo Benkow
2013
Steve Forrest, American actor (born 1925) Wikipedia: Steve Forrest (actor)
2013
David McMillan, American football player (born 1981) Wikipedia: David McMillan (American football)
2013
Lothar Schmid, German chess player (born 1928) Wikipedia: Lothar Schmid
2012
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, German opera singer and conductor (born 1925) Wikipedia: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
2012
Peter Jones, English-Australian drummer and songwriter (born 1967) Wikipedia: Peter Jones (drummer)
2012
Alan Oakley, English bicycle designer, designed the Raleigh Chopper (born 1927) Wikipedia: Alan Oakley (designer)
2009
Dolla, American rapper (born 1987) Wikipedia: Dolla (rapper)
2009
Wayne Allwine, American voice actor, sound effects editor and Foley artist (born 1947) Wikipedia: Wayne Allwine
2009
Velupillai Prabhakaran, Sri Lankan rebel leader, founded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (born 1954) Wikipedia: Velupillai Prabhakaran
2008
Joseph Pevney, American actor and director (born 1911) Wikipedia: Joseph Pevney
2008
Roberto García-Calvo Montiel, Spanish judge (born 1942) Wikipedia: Roberto García-Calvo Montiel
2007
Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, French physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1932) Wikipedia: Pierre-Gilles de Gennes
2006
Jaan Eilart, Estonian geographer, ecologist, and historian (born 1933) Wikipedia: Jaan Eilart
2004
Elvin Jones, American drummer and bandleader (born 1927) Wikipedia: Elvin Jones
2002
Davey Boy Smith, English professional wrestler (born 1962) Wikipedia: Davey Boy Smith
2001
Irene Hunt, American author and illustrator (born 1907) Wikipedia: Irene Hunt
2000
Stephen M. Wolownik, Russian-American composer and musicologist (born 1946) Wikipedia: Stephen M. Wolownik
1999
Augustus Pablo, Jamaican singer, keyboard player, and producer (born 1954) Wikipedia: Augustus Pablo
1999
Betty Robinson, American runner (born 1911) Wikipedia: Betty Robinson
1998
Obaidullah Aleem, Indian-Pakistani poet and author (born 1939) Wikipedia: Obaidullah Aleem
1995
Elisha Cook, Jr., American actor (born 1903) Wikipedia: Elisha Cook Jr.
1995
Alexander Godunov, Russian-American ballet dancer and actor (born 1949) Wikipedia: Alexander Godunov
1995
Brinsley Trench, 8th Earl of Clancarty, Irish ufologist and historian (born 1911) Wikipedia: Brinsley Trench, 8th Earl of Clancarty
1995
Elizabeth Montgomery, American actress (born 1933) Wikipedia: Elizabeth Montgomery
1990
Jill Ireland, English actress (born 1936) Wikipedia: Jill Ireland
1989
Dorothy Ruth, American horse breeder and author (born 1921) Wikipedia: Dorothy Ruth Pirone
1987
Mahdi Amel, Lebanese journalist, poet, and academic (born 1936) Wikipedia: Mahdi Amel
1981
Arthur O'Connell, American actor (born 1908) Wikipedia: Arthur O'Connell
1981
William Saroyan, American novelist, playwright, and short story writer (born 1908) Wikipedia: William Saroyan
1980
Victims of Mount St. Helens eruption: Wikipedia: Reid Blackburn
1980
Victims of Mount St. Helens eruption: Wikipedia: David A. Johnston
1980
Ian Curtis, English singer-songwriter (born 1956) Wikipedia: Ian Curtis
1975
Leroy Anderson, American composer and conductor (born 1908) Wikipedia: Leroy Anderson
1974
Harry Ricardo, English engine designer and researcher (born 1885) Wikipedia: Harry Ricardo
1973
Jeannette Rankin, American social worker and politician (born 1880) Wikipedia: Jeannette Rankin
1973
İbrahim Kaypakkaya, Turkish Maoist revolutionary and founder of Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist (TKP/ML) (born 1949) Wikipedia: İbrahim Kaypakkaya
1971
Aleksandr Gennadievich Kurosh, Russian mathematician and theorist (born 1908) Wikipedia: Aleksandr Kurosh
1968
Frank Walsh, Australian politician, 34th Premier of South Australia (born 1897) Wikipedia: Frank Walsh
1963
Ernie Davis, American football player, coach, and manager (born 1939) Wikipedia: Ernie Davis
1958
Jacob Fichman, Israeli poet and critic (born 1881) Wikipedia: Jacob Fichman
1956
Maurice Tate, English cricketer (born 1895) Wikipedia: Maurice Tate
1955
Mary McLeod Bethune, American educator and activist (born 1875) Wikipedia: Mary McLeod Bethune
1947
Hal Chase, American baseball player and manager (born 1883) Wikipedia: Hal Chase
1943
Ōnishiki Daigorō, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 28th Yokozuna (born 1883) Wikipedia: Ōnishiki Daigorō
1941
Werner Sombart, German economist and sociologist (born 1863) Wikipedia: Werner Sombart
1922
Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran, French physician and parasitologist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1845) Wikipedia: Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran
1916
Chen Qimei, Chinese revolutionary (born 1878) Wikipedia: Chen Qimei
1911
Gustav Mahler, Austrian composer and conductor (born 1860) Wikipedia: Gustav Mahler
1910
Eliza Orzeszkowa, Polish author and publisher (born 1841) Wikipedia: Eliza Orzeszkowa
1910
Pauline Viardot, French soprano and composer (born 1821) Wikipedia: Pauline Viardot
1909
Isaac Albéniz, Spanish pianist and composer (born 1860) Wikipedia: Isaac Albéniz
1909
George Meredith, English novelist and poet (born 1828) Wikipedia: George Meredith
1908
Louis-Napoléon Casault, Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician (born 1823) Wikipedia: Louis-Napoléon Casault
1900
Félix Ravaisson-Mollien, French archaeologist and philosopher (born 1813) Wikipedia: Félix Ravaisson-Mollien
1889
Isabella Glyn, Scottish-English actress (born 1823) Wikipedia: Isabella Glyn
1867
Clarkson Stanfield, English painter (born 1793) Wikipedia: Clarkson Frederick Stanfield
1853
Lionel Kieseritzky, Estonian-French chess player (born 1806) Wikipedia: Lionel Kieseritzky
1844
Richard McCarty, American lawyer and politician (born 1780) Wikipedia: Richard McCarty (politician)
1808
Elijah Craig, American minister, inventor, and educator, invented Bourbon whiskey (born 1738) Wikipedia: Elijah Craig
1807
John Douglas, Scottish bishop and scholar (born 1721) Wikipedia: John Douglas (bishop of Salisbury)
1800
Alexander Suvorov, Russian general (born 1729) Wikipedia: Alexander Suvorov
1799
Pierre Beaumarchais, French playwright and publisher (born 1732) Wikipedia: Pierre-Augustin de Beaumarchais
1795
Robert Rogers, English colonel (born 1731) Wikipedia: Robert Rogers (British Army officer)
1792
Levy Solomons, Canadian merchant and fur trader (born 1730) Wikipedia: Levy Solomons
1781
Túpac Amaru II, Peruvian indigenous rebel leader (born 1742) Wikipedia: Túpac Amaru II
1780
Charles Hardy, English-American admiral and politician, 29th Colonial Governor of New York (born 1714) Wikipedia: Charles Hardy
1733
Georg Böhm, German organist and composer (born 1661) Wikipedia: Georg Böhm
1721
Maria Barbara Carillo, victim of the Spanish Inquisition (born 1625) Wikipedia: Maria Barbara Carillo
1692
Elias Ashmole, English astrologer and politician (born 1617) Wikipedia: Elias Ashmole
1675
Stanisław Lubieniecki, Polish astronomer, historian, and theologian (born 1623) Wikipedia: Stanisław Lubieniecki
1675
Jacques Marquette, French-American missionary and explorer (born 1637) Wikipedia: Jacques Marquette
1551
Domenico di Pace Beccafumi, Italian painter (born 1486) Wikipedia: Domenico Beccafumi
1550
Jean, Cardinal of Lorraine (born 1498) Wikipedia: Jean, Cardinal of Lorraine
1410
Rupert of Germany, Count Palatine of the Rhine (born 1352) Wikipedia: Rupert, King of the Romans
1401
Vladislaus II of Opole (born 1332) Wikipedia: Vladislaus II of Opole
1297
Nicholas Longespee, Bishop of Salisbury Wikipedia: Nicholas Longespee
1160
Eric Jedvardsson (King Eric IX) of Sweden (since 1156); (born circa 1120) Wikipedia: Saint Erik
1096
Minna of Worms, Jewish martyr killed during the Worms massacre (1096) Wikipedia: Minna of Worms
1065
Frederick, Duke of Lower Lorraine (born c. 1003) Wikipedia: Frederick, Duke of Lower Lorraine
978
Frederick I, duke of Upper Lorraine Wikipedia: Frederick I of Upper Lorraine
947
Emperor Taizong of the Liao Dynasty Wikipedia: Emperor Taizong of Liao
932
Ma Shaohong, general of Later Tang Wikipedia: Ma Shaohong
893
Stephen I of Constantinople (born 867) Wikipedia: Stephen I of Constantinople
526
Pope John I Wikipedia: Pope John I

Every day in May

The same day in other countries: Portugal · Brasil · Suisse · France · Deutschland · España · United Kingdom

Source: Wikipedia: wikipedia.org (CC BY-SA 4.0)