May 22: what happened on this day in history

Events on May 22 include:

United States President Donald Trump visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and becomes the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall (2017)
An EF5 tornado strikes Joplin, Missouri, killing 158 people and wreaking $2.8 billion in damages, the costliest and seventh-deadliest single tornado in U.S. history (2011)
Police announced that the skeletal remains of Federal Bureau of Prisons intern Chandra Levy, who had been missing for a year, had been found in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C (2002)

This page gathers 85 events, 210 births and 86 deaths recorded on this day, from the year 192 to 2026.

‹ May 21 May 23 ›

Events · United States

2017
United States President Donald Trump visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and becomes the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall. Wikipedia: Donald Trump Archive: Kampanjklistermärke för Donald Trump — Sörmland Museum, 2016 · Europeana
2011
An EF5 tornado strikes Joplin, Missouri, killing 158 people and wreaking $2.8 billion in damages, the costliest and seventh-deadliest single tornado in U.S. history. Wikipedia: Joplin tornado
2002
Police announced that the skeletal remains of Federal Bureau of Prisons intern Chandra Levy, who had been missing for a year, had been found in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. Wikipedia: Federal Bureau of Prisons
1998
A U.S. federal judge rules that U.S. Secret Service agents can be compelled to testify before a grand jury concerning the Lewinsky scandal involving President Bill Clinton. Wikipedia: United States Secret Service
1964
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson launches his Great Society program. Wikipedia: Lyndon B. Johnson Archive: Vice president of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson in Helsinki — Finnish Heritage Agency · Europeana
1915
California's Lassen Peak violently erupted, the only volcanic eruption in the contiguous U.S. in the 20th century until Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. Wikipedia: Lassen Peak
1906
The Wright brothers are granted U.S. patent number 821,393 for their "Flying-Machine". Wikipedia: Wright brothers
1864
American Civil War: After ten weeks, the Union Army's Red River Campaign ends in failure. Wikipedia: Union army
1863
American Civil War: Union forces begin the Siege of Port Hudson which lasts 48 days, the longest siege in U.S. military history. Wikipedia: American Civil War
1856
Senator Charles Sumner (pictured) was assaulted by Representative Preston Brooks in the United States Senate chamber in retaliation for a speech in which Sumner fiercely criticized slaveholders. Wikipedia: Charles Sumner
1849
Abraham Lincoln was issued a patent for an invention to lift boats over obstacles in a river, making him the only U.S. president ever to hold a patent. Wikipedia: Abraham Lincoln
1819
SS Savannah leaves port at Savannah, Georgia, United States, on a voyage to become the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Wikipedia: SS Savannah
1807
A grand jury indicts former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr on a charge of treason. Wikipedia: Grand jury

Around the world

2026
A gas explosion at a coal mine in Changzhi, Shanxi, China, leaves at least 82 people dead. Wikipedia: 2026 Liushenyu coal mine explosion
2021
Hypothermia kills 21 runners in the 100 km (60-mile) Gansu ultramarathon disaster in China. Wikipedia: Gansu ultramarathon disaster
2020
Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 crashes in Model Colony near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 98 people. Wikipedia: Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303
2017
Twenty-two people are killed at an Ariana Grande concert in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Wikipedia: Ariana Grande
2015
The Republic of Ireland becomes the first nation in the world to utilise a public referendum to legalise gay marriage. Wikipedia: Republic of Ireland
2014
Prayut Chan-o-cha (pictured), the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, launched a coup d'état against the caretaker government following six months of political crisis. Wikipedia: Prayut Chan-o-cha
2014
An explosion occurs in Ürümqi, capital of China's far-western Xinjiang region, resulting in at least 43 deaths and 91 injuries. Wikipedia: May 2014 Ürümqi attack
2013
Fusilier Lee Rigby is murdered by two Islamic extremists in Woolwich, Southeast London. Wikipedia: Fusilier
2012
Tokyo Skytree opens to the public. It is the tallest tower in the world (634 m), and the third tallest man-made structure on Earth after Merdeka 118 (680.5 m) and Burj Khalifa (829.8 m). Wikipedia: Tokyo Skytree
2012
SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2 launches a Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket in the first commercial flight to the International Space Station. Wikipedia: SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2
2010
Upon landing in Mangalore, Air India Express Flight 812 overshot the runway and fell down a hillside, killing 158 of the 166 people on board. Wikipedia: Mangaluru
2010
Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2–0 in the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid, Spain to become the first, and so far only, Italian team to win the historic treble (Serie A, Coppa Italia, Champions League). Wikipedia: Inter Milan
2002
Civil rights movement: A jury in Birmingham, Alabama, convicts former Ku Klux Klan member Bobby Frank Cherry of the 1963 murder of four girls in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Wikipedia: Civil rights movement
2000
In Sri Lanka, over 150 Tamil rebels are killed over two days of fighting for control in Jaffna. Wikipedia: Sri Lanka
1998
In Public Prosecutor v Taw Cheng Kong, the Court of Appeal of Singapore overruled a High Court decision in the only time a statute in Singapore had been ruled unconstitutional. Wikipedia: Public Prosecutor v Taw Cheng Kong
1996
The Burmese military regime jails 71 supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi in a bid to block a pro-democracy meeting. Wikipedia: Aung San Suu Kyi
1994
A worldwide trade embargo against Haiti goes into effect to punish its military rulers for not reinstating the country's ousted elected leader, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Wikipedia: Haiti
1992
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia join the United Nations. Wikipedia: Bosnia and Herzegovina
1990
North and South Yemen are unified to create the Republic of Yemen. Wikipedia: Yemen Arab Republic
1987
During Hindu–Muslim rioting in Meerut, India, 19 members of the Provincial Armed Constabulary allegedly massacred 42 Muslims and dumped their bodies in water canals. Wikipedia: Religious violence in India
1987
First ever Rugby World Cup kicks off with New Zealand playing Italy at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. Wikipedia: 1987 Rugby World Cup
1980
Location testing for Pac-Man, a Japanese arcade game that became an icon of 1980s popular culture, began in Shibuya, Tokyo. Wikipedia: Pac-Man
1972
The Dominion of Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka, adopted a new constitution, and officially became a republic within the Commonwealth. Wikipedia: Dominion of Ceylon
1972
Over 400 women in Derry, Northern Ireland attack the offices of Sinn Féin following the shooting by the Irish Republican Army of a young British soldier on leave. Wikipedia: Derry
1969
Apollo 10's Lunar Module flies within 8.4 nautical miles (16 km) of the Moon's surface. Wikipedia: Apollo 10
1968
The nuclear-powered submarine USS Scorpion sinks with 99 men aboard, 400 nautical miles (740 km) southwest of the Azores. Wikipedia: Submarine
1967
Egypt closes the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping. Wikipedia: Straits of Tiran
1967
L'Innovation department store in Brussels, Belgium, burns down, resulting in 323 dead or missing and 150 injured, the most devastating fire in Belgian history. Wikipedia: L'Innovation department store fire
1963
Greek left-wing politician Grigoris Lambrakis is clubbed over the head, causing his death five days later. Wikipedia: Grigoris Lambrakis
1962
Continental Airlines Flight 11 crashes in Unionville, Missouri after bombs explode on board, killing 45. Wikipedia: Continental Airlines Flight 11
1960
The most powerful earthquake ever recorded, registering approximately 9.5 Mw, struck near Valdivia, Chile, generating tsunamis that reached Hawaii and Japan. Wikipedia: 1960 Valdivia earthquake
1958
Ethnic riots mostly targeting the minority Sri Lankan Tamils broke out in Ceylon, resulting in at least 158 deaths over the next few days. Wikipedia: 1958 anti-Tamil pogrom
1957
South Africa's government approves of racial separation in universities. Wikipedia: Apartheid
1948
Finnish President J. K. Paasikivi releases Yrjö Leino from his duties as interior minister after the Finnish parliament adopted a motion of censure of Leino with connection to his illegal handing over of nineteen people to the Soviet Union in 1945. Wikipedia: Juho Kusti Paasikivi
1947
Cold War: The Truman Doctrine goes into effect, aiding Turkey and Greece. Wikipedia: Cold War
1943
Joseph Stalin disbands the Comintern. Wikipedia: Joseph Stalin
1942
Mexico enters the Second World War on the side of the Allies. Wikipedia: History of Mexico
1941
During the Anglo-Iraqi War, British troops take Fallujah. Wikipedia: Anglo-Iraqi War
1939
Germany and Italy signed the Pact of Steel, a military and political alliance. Wikipedia: Pact of Steel
1927
Near Xining, China, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake causes 200,000 deaths in one of the world's most destructive earthquakes. Wikipedia: Xining
1926
Chiang Kai-shek replaces the communists in Kuomintang China.[vague] Wikipedia: Chiang Kai-shek
1916
A British army defeats a force of the Darfur Sultanate under Sultan Ali Dinar due to its superior firepower in the battle of Beringia. Wikipedia: British Army during the First World War
1915
Three trains collide in the Quintinshill rail disaster near Gretna Green, Scotland, killing 227 people and injuring 246. Wikipedia: Quintinshill rail disaster
1911
The Uruguayan Regional Workers' Federation declared a general strike in solidarity with trolley workers in Montevideo. Wikipedia: Uruguayan Regional Workers' Federation
1905
Sultan Abdul Hamid II established the Ullah millet, a separate millet for the Aromanians within the Ottoman Empire. Wikipedia: Abdul Hamid II
1897
The first Blackwall Tunnel under the River Thames was opened to improve commerce and trade in the East End of London. Wikipedia: Blackwall Tunnel
1874
Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem was first performed in the San Marco church in Milan to commemorate the first anniversary of Alessandro Manzoni's death. Wikipedia: Giuseppe Verdi
1872
Reconstruction Era: President Ulysses S. Grant signs the Amnesty Act into law, restoring full civil and political rights to all but about 500 Confederate sympathizers. Wikipedia: Reconstruction era
1866
Oliver Winchester founds the Winchester Repeating Arms. Wikipedia: Oliver Winchester
1848
Slavery is abolished in Martinique. Wikipedia: History of Martinique
1846
The Associated Press is formed in New York City as a non-profit news cooperative. Wikipedia: Associated Press
1844
In Shiraz, Iran, the Báb declared himself to be a messenger of God to Mullá Husayn, leading to the foundation of Bábism, considered to be a precursor to the Baháʼí Faith. Wikipedia: Shiraz
1840
The penal transportation of British convicts to the New South Wales colony is abolished. Wikipedia: Penal transportation
1826
HMS Beagle (pictured) departed on her first voyage from Plymouth for a hydrographic survey of the Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego regions of South America. Wikipedia: HMS Beagle
1816
A riot broke out in Littleport, England, over high unemployment and rising grain costs, spreading to Ely the next day before being quelled by troops. Wikipedia: Ely and Littleport riots of 1816
1809
On the second and last day of the Battle of Aspern-Essling (near Vienna, Austria), Napoleon I is defeated in a major battle for the first time in his career, and repelled by an enemy army for the first time in a decade. Wikipedia: Battle of Aspern–Essling
1804
The Lewis and Clark Expedition officially begins as the Corps of Discovery departs from St. Charles, Missouri. Wikipedia: Lewis and Clark Expedition
1766
A magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Constantinople and was followed by a tsunami that caused significant damage. Wikipedia: 1766 Istanbul earthquake
1762
The Trevi Fountain (pictured) in Rome was officially inaugurated by Pope Clement XIII. Wikipedia: Trevi Fountain
1762
Sweden and Prussia sign the Treaty of Hamburg. Wikipedia: Prussia
1629
Albrecht von Wallenstein and King Christian IV of Denmark signed the Treaty of Lübeck to end Danish intervention in the Thirty Years' War. Wikipedia: Albrecht von Wallenstein
1520
The massacre at the festival of Tóxcatl takes place during the Fall of Tenochtitlan, resulting in turning the Aztecs against the Spanish. Wikipedia: Massacre in the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan
1455
Start of the Wars of the Roses: At the First Battle of St Albans, Richard, Duke of York, defeats and captures King Henry VI of England. Wikipedia: Wars of the Roses
1377
Pope Gregory XI issues five papal bulls to denounce the doctrines of English theologian John Wycliffe. Wikipedia: Pope Gregory XI
1370
Brussels massacre: An estimated 13 Jews are murdered and the rest of the Jewish community is banished from Brussels, Belgium, in an anti-Semitic attack, for allegedly desecrating consecrated Host. Wikipedia: Brussels massacre
1254
Serbian King Stefan Uroš I and the Republic of Venice sign a peace treaty. Wikipedia: Kingdom of Serbia (1217–1346)
1246
Henry Raspe is elected anti-king of the Kingdom of Germany in opposition to Conrad IV. Wikipedia: Henry Raspe
1200
King John of England and King Philip II of France sign the Treaty of Le Goulet. Wikipedia: John, King of England
1176
The Hashshashin (Assassins) attempt to assassinate Saladin near Aleppo. Wikipedia: Order of Assassins
853
Arab–Byzantine wars: The Byzantine navy began a raid on the Nile Delta port city of Damietta, whose garrison was absent at the time. Wikipedia: Arab–Byzantine wars
760
Fourteenth recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Wikipedia: Halley's Comet
192
Dong Zhuo is assassinated by his adopted son Lü Bu. Wikipedia: AD 192

World days

International Day for Biological Diversity (International) Wikipedia: International Day for Biological Diversity
World Goth Day Wikipedia: World Goth Day

Technology

No entries.

Today's news: Technology ›

Science

2012
SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2 launches a Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket in the first commercial flight to the International Space Station. Wikipedia: SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2
1969
Apollo 10's Lunar Module flies within 8.4 nautical miles (16 km) of the Moon's surface. Wikipedia: Apollo 10
760
Fourteenth recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Wikipedia: Halley's Comet

Today's news: Science ›

Business

No entries.

Today's news: Business ›

Sport

2010
Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2–0 in the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid, Spain to become the first, and so far only, Italian team to win the historic treble (Serie A, Coppa Italia, Champions League). Wikipedia: Inter Milan
1987
First ever Rugby World Cup kicks off with New Zealand playing Italy at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. Wikipedia: 1987 Rugby World Cup

Today's news: Sport ›

Culture

1520
The massacre at the festival of Tóxcatl takes place during the Fall of Tenochtitlan, resulting in turning the Aztecs against the Spanish. Wikipedia: Massacre in the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan

Today's news: Culture ›

Births

2004
Peyton Elizabeth Lee, American actress Wikipedia: Peyton Elizabeth Lee
2002
Anthony Richardson, American football player Wikipedia: Anthony Richardson (American football)
2001
Enzo Barrenechea, Argentine footballer Wikipedia: Enzo Barrenechea
2001
Emma Chamberlain, American internet personality Wikipedia: Emma Chamberlain
2001
Joshua Zirkzee, Dutch footballer Wikipedia: Joshua Zirkzee
2000
Julián Carranza, Argentine footballer Wikipedia: Julián Carranza
1999
Samuel Chukwueze, Nigerian footballer Wikipedia: Samuel Chukwueze
1999
Femke Huijzer, Dutch model Wikipedia: Femke Huijzer
1999
Hōshōryū Tomokatsu, Mongolian sumo wrestler Wikipedia: Hōshōryū Tomokatsu
1998
Samile Bermannelli, Brazilian fashion model Wikipedia: Samile Bermannelli
1997
Lauri Markkanen, Finnish basketball player Wikipedia: Lauri Markkanen
1997
Brandon Duhaime, American ice hockey player Wikipedia: Brandon Duhaime
1994
Florian Luger, Austrian male model Wikipedia: Florian Luger
1994
Athena Manoukian, Greek-Armenian singer and songwriter Wikipedia: Athena Manoukian
1992
Anna Baryshnikov, American actress Wikipedia: Anna Baryshnikov
1991
Joel Obi, Nigerian footballer Wikipedia: Joel Obi
1991
Suho, South Korean singer and actor Wikipedia: Suho
1990
Wyatt Roy, Australian politician Wikipedia: Wyatt Roy
1989
Corey Dickerson, American baseball player Wikipedia: Corey Dickerson
1988
Heida Reed, Icelandic-British actress Wikipedia: Heida Reed
1987
Novak Djokovic, Serbian tennis player Wikipedia: Novak Djokovic
1987
Arturo Vidal, Chilean footballer Wikipedia: Arturo Vidal
1986
Julian Edelman, American football player Wikipedia: Julian Edelman
1986
Matt Jarvis, English footballer Wikipedia: Matt Jarvis
1986
Tatiana Volosozhar, Russian figure skater Wikipedia: Tatiana Volosozhar
1985
Tranquillo Barnetta, Swiss footballer Wikipedia: Tranquillo Barnetta
1985
Mauro Boselli, Argentine footballer Wikipedia: Mauro Boselli
1985
Tao Okamoto, Japanese model and actress Wikipedia: Tao Okamoto
1984
Clara Amfo, English television and radio presenter Wikipedia: Clara Amfo
1984
Karoline Herfurth, German actress Wikipedia: Karoline Herfurth
1984
Didier Ya Konan, Ivorian footballer Wikipedia: Didier Ya Konan
1984
Dustin Moskovitz, American entrepreneur, co-founder of Facebook Wikipedia: Dustin Moskovitz
1983
Natasha Kai, American soccer player and Olympic medalist Wikipedia: Natasha Kai
1982
Erin McNaught, Australian model and actress Wikipedia: Erin McNaught
1982
Apolo Ohno, American speed skater Wikipedia: Apolo Ohno
1982
Hong Yong-jo, North Korean footballer Wikipedia: Hong Yong-jo
1981
Bryan Danielson, American wrestler Wikipedia: Bryan Danielson
1981
Bassel Khartabil, Syrian computer programmer and engineer (died 2015) Wikipedia: Bassel Khartabil
1981
Jürgen Melzer, Austrian tennis player Wikipedia: Jürgen Melzer
1981
Mark O'Meley, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia: Mark O'Meley
1980
Tarin Bradford, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia: Tarin Bradford
1980
Sharice Davids, American politician Wikipedia: Sharice Davids
1980
Lucy Gordon, British actress and model (died 2009) Wikipedia: Lucy Gordon (actress)
1979
Nazanin Boniadi, Iranian-American actress Wikipedia: Nazanin Boniadi
1979
Tihomir Dovramadjiev, Bulgarian Chess boxer Wikipedia: Tihomir Dovramadjiev
1979
Maggie Q, American actress Wikipedia: Maggie Q
1978
Ginnifer Goodwin, American actress Wikipedia: Ginnifer Goodwin
1978
Katie Price, English television personality and glamour model Wikipedia: Katie Price
1977
Pat Smullen, Irish jockey (died 2020) Wikipedia: Pat Smullen
1976
Christian Vande Velde, American cyclist Wikipedia: Christian Vande Velde
1975
Salva Ballesta, Spanish footballer and manager Wikipedia: Salva Ballesta
1974
Sean Gunn, American actor Wikipedia: Sean Gunn
1974
Garba Lawal, Nigerian footballer Wikipedia: Garba Lawal
1974
Henrietta Ónodi, Hungarian Olympic gymnast Wikipedia: Henrietta Ónodi
1974
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukrainian politician Wikipedia: Arseniy Yatsenyuk
1974
Canek Sánchez Guevara, Cuban author and dissident (died 2015) Wikipedia: Canek Sánchez Guevara
1974
Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norwegian politician Wikipedia: Anne Beathe Tvinnereim
1973
Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Danish actor Wikipedia: Nikolaj Lie Kaas
1973
Shefali Shah, Indian actress Wikipedia: Shefali Shah
1972
Max Brooks, American author and screenwriter Wikipedia: Max Brooks
1970
Naomi Campbell, English model Wikipedia: Naomi Campbell
1970
Brody Stevens, American comedian and actor (died 2019) Wikipedia: Brody Stevens
1969
Michael Kelly, American actor Wikipedia: Michael Kelly (actor)
1969
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, American lawyer and politician Wikipedia: Cathy McMorris Rodgers
1968
Graham Linehan, Irish comedy writer and activist Wikipedia: Graham Linehan
1966
Johnny Gill, American singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia: Johnny Gill
1966
Wang Xiaoshuai, Chinese director and screenwriter Wikipedia: Wang Xiaoshuai
1965
Jay Carney, American journalist, 29th White House Press Secretary Wikipedia: Jay Carney
1963
Claude Closky, French contemporary artist Wikipedia: Claude Closky
1962
Andrew Magee, French-American golfer Wikipedia: Andrew Magee
1962
Brian Pillman, American football player and wrestler (died 1997) Wikipedia: Brian Pillman
1960
Hideaki Anno, Japanese animator, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia: Hideaki Anno
1959
David Blatt, Israeli-American basketball player and coach Wikipedia: David Blatt
1959
Olin Browne, American golfer Wikipedia: Olin Browne
1959
Morrissey, English singer-songwriter and performer Wikipedia: Morrissey
1959
Kwak Jae-yong, South Korean director and screenwriter Wikipedia: Kwak Jae-yong
1959
Mehbooba Mufti, Indian politician Wikipedia: Mehbooba Mufti
1957
Lisa Murkowski, American lawyer and politician Wikipedia: Lisa Murkowski
1956
Lucie Brock-Broido, American poet (died 2018) Wikipedia: Lucie Brock-Broido
1955
Iva Davies, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia: Iva Davies
1954
Barbara May Cameron, Native American human rights activist (died 2002) Wikipedia: Barbara May Cameron
1954
Shuji Nakamura, Japanese-American physicist and engineer, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia: Shuji Nakamura
1953
François Bon, French writer Wikipedia: François Bon
1953
Cha Bum-kun, South Korean footballer and manager Wikipedia: Cha Bum-kun
1953
Paul Mariner, English footballer, coach, and manager (died 2021) Wikipedia: Paul Mariner
1951
Kenneth Bianchi, American serial killer and rapist Wikipedia: Kenneth Bianchi
1950
Bernie Taupin, English singer-songwriter and poet Wikipedia: Bernie Taupin
1949
Cheryl Campbell, English actress Wikipedia: Cheryl Campbell
1949
Valentin Inzko, Austrian diplomat Wikipedia: Valentin Inzko
1948
Tomás Sánchez, Cuban painter and engraver Wikipedia: Tomás Sánchez
1948
Nedumudi Venu, Indian actor and screenwriter (died 2021) Wikipedia: Nedumudi Venu
1946
George Best, Northern Irish footballer (died 2005) Wikipedia: George Best
1946
Michael Green, English physicist and academic Wikipedia: Michael Green (physicist)
1946
Howard Kendall, English footballer and manager (died 2015) Wikipedia: Howard Kendall
1946
Andrei Marga, Romanian philosopher, political scientist, politician Wikipedia: Andrei Marga
1946
Lyudmila Zhuravleva, Russian-Ukrainian astronomer Wikipedia: Lyudmila Zhuravleva
1945
Bob Katter, Australian politician Wikipedia: Bob Katter
1944
John Flanagan, Australian fantasy author (died 2026) Wikipedia: John Flanagan (author)
1943
Betty Williams, Northern Irish peace activist, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2020) Wikipedia: Betty Williams
1943
Tommy John, American baseball player (died 2026) Wikipedia: Tommy John
1942
Roger Brown, American basketball player (died 1997) Wikipedia: Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)
1942
Ted Kaczynski, American academic and mathematician turned anarchist and serial murderer (Unabomber) (died 2023) Wikipedia: Ted Kaczynski
1942
Barbara Parkins, Canadian actress Wikipedia: Barbara Parkins
1942
Richard Oakes, Native American civil rights activist (died 1972) Wikipedia: Richard Oakes (activist)
1941
Menzies Campbell, Scottish sprinter and politician (died 2025) Wikipedia: Menzies Campbell
1940
Kieth Merrill, American filmmaker Wikipedia: Kieth Merrill
1940
E. A. S. Prasanna, Indian cricketer Wikipedia: E. A. S. Prasanna
1940
Michael Sarrazin, Canadian actor (died 2011) Wikipedia: Michael Sarrazin
1940
Bernard Shaw, American journalist (died 2022) Wikipedia: Bernard Shaw (journalist)
1940
Mick Tingelhoff, American football player (died 2021) Wikipedia: Mick Tingelhoff
1939
Paul Winfield, American actor (died 2004) Wikipedia: Paul Winfield
1938
Richard Benjamin, American actor and director Wikipedia: Richard Benjamin
1938
Susan Strasberg, American actress (died 1999) Wikipedia: Susan Strasberg
1937
Facundo Cabral, Argentinian singer-songwriter (died 2011) Wikipedia: Facundo Cabral
1937
Tomáš Janovic, Slovak writer (died 2023) Wikipedia: Tomáš Janovic
1936
George H. Heilmeier, American engineer (died 2014) Wikipedia: George H. Heilmeier
1935
Billy Rayner, Australian rugby league player (died 2006) Wikipedia: Billy Rayner
1934
Peter Nero, American pianist and conductor (died 2023) Wikipedia: Peter Nero
1934
Garry Wills, American historian, author, and political philosopher Wikipedia: Garry Wills
1933
Fred Anderson, Australian-South African rugby league player (died 2012) Wikipedia: Fred Anderson (rugby league)
1933
Chen Jingrun, Chinese mathematician and academic (died 1996) Wikipedia: Chen Jingrun
1932
Robert Spitzer, American psychiatrist and academic (died 2015) Wikipedia: Robert Spitzer (psychiatrist)
1930
Kenny Ball, English jazz trumpet player, vocalist, and bandleader (died 2013) Wikipedia: Kenny Ball
1930
Marisol Escobar, French-American sculptor (died 2016) Wikipedia: Marisol Escobar
1930
Harvey Milk, American lieutenant and politician (died 1978) Wikipedia: Harvey Milk
1929
Ahmed Fouad Negm, Egyptian poet (died 2013) Wikipedia: Ahmed Fouad Negm
1928
Raymond E. Brown, American Sulpician priest and biblical scholar (died 1998) Wikipedia: Raymond E. Brown
1928
Serge Doubrovsky, French theorist and author (died 2017) Wikipedia: Serge Doubrovsky
1928
John Mackenzie, Scottish director and producer (died 2011) Wikipedia: John Mackenzie (film director)
1928
T. Boone Pickens, American businessman (died 2019) Wikipedia: T. Boone Pickens
1928
Hiroshi Sano, Japanese novelist (died 2013) Wikipedia: You Sano
1927
Michael Constantine, American actor (died 2021) Wikipedia: Michael Constantine
1927
Peter Matthiessen, American novelist, short story writer, editor, co-founded The Paris Review (died 2014) Wikipedia: Peter Matthiessen
1927
George Andrew Olah, Hungarian-American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2017) Wikipedia: George Andrew Olah
1925
Jean Tinguely, Swiss painter and sculptor (died 1991) Wikipedia: Jean Tinguely
1924
Charles Aznavour, French-Armenian singer-songwriter and actor (died 2018) Wikipedia: Charles Aznavour
1922
Quinn Martin, American screenwriter and producer (died 1987) Wikipedia: Quinn Martin
1921
George S. Hammond, American scientist (died 2005) Wikipedia: George S. Hammond
1920
Thomas Gold, Austrian-American astrophysicist and academic (died 2004) Wikipedia: Thomas Gold
1919
Paul Vanden Boeynants, Belgian businessman and politician, 55th Prime Minister of Belgium (died 2001) Wikipedia: Paul Vanden Boeynants
1917
George Aratani, American businessman and philanthropist (died 2013) Wikipedia: George Aratani
1917
Jean-Louis Curtis, French author (died 1995) Wikipedia: Jean-Louis Curtis
1914
Max Kohnstamm, Dutch historian and diplomat (died 2010) Wikipedia: Max Kohnstamm
1914
Sun Ra, American pianist, composer, bandleader, poet (died 1993) Wikipedia: Sun Ra
1913
Rafael Gil, Spanish director and screenwriter (died 1986) Wikipedia: Rafael Gil
1913
Dominique Rolin, Belgian author (died 2012) Wikipedia: Dominique Rolin
1912
Herbert C. Brown, English-American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2004) Wikipedia: Herbert C. Brown
1909
Bob Dyer, American-Australian radio and television host (died 1984) Wikipedia: Bob Dyer
1909
Margaret Mee, English illustrator and educator (died 1988) Wikipedia: Margaret Mee
1908
Horton Smith, American golfer and captain (died 1963) Wikipedia: Horton Smith
1907
Hergé, Belgian author and illustrator (died 1983) Wikipedia: Hergé
1907
Laurence Olivier, English actor, director, and producer (died 1989) Wikipedia: Laurence Olivier
1905
Bodo von Borries, German physicist and academic, co-invented the electron microscope (died 1956) Wikipedia: Bodo von Borries
1905
Tom Driberg, British politician (died 1976) Wikipedia: Tom Driberg
1904
Uno Lamm, Swedish electrical engineer and inventor (died 1989) Wikipedia: Uno Lamm
1902
Jack Lambert, English footballer and manager (died 1940) Wikipedia: Jack Lambert (footballer, born 1902)
1902
Al Simmons, American baseball player and coach (died 1956) Wikipedia: Al Simmons
1901
Maurice J. Tobin, American politician, 6th United States Secretary of Labor (died 1953) Wikipedia: Maurice J. Tobin
1900
Juan Arvizu, Mexican lyric opera tenor and bolero vocalist (died 1985) Wikipedia: Juan Arvizu
1897
Robert Neumann, German and English-speaking author (died 1975) Wikipedia: Robert Neumann (writer)
1894
Friedrich Pollock, German sociologist and philosopher (died 1970) Wikipedia: Friedrich Pollock
1891
Johannes R. Becher, German politician, novelist, and poet (died 1958) Wikipedia: Johannes R. Becher
1887
A. W. Sandberg, Danish film director and screenwriter (died 1938) Wikipedia: A. W. Sandberg
1885
Giacomo Matteotti, Italian lawyer and politician (died 1924) Wikipedia: Giacomo Matteotti
1885
Soemu Toyoda, Japanese admiral (died 1957) Wikipedia: Soemu Toyoda
1884
Wilhelmina Hay Abbott, Scottish suffragist and feminist (died 1957) Wikipedia: Wilhelmina Hay Abbott
1880
Francis de Miomandre, French author and translator (died 1959) Wikipedia: Francis de Miomandre
1879
Warwick Armstrong, Australian cricketer and journalist (died 1947) Wikipedia: Warwick Armstrong
1879
Jean Cras, French admiral and composer (died 1932) Wikipedia: Jean Cras
1879
Symon Petliura, Ukrainian statesman and independence leader (died 1926) Wikipedia: Symon Petliura
1876
Julius Klinger, Austrian painter and illustrator (died 1942) Wikipedia: Julius Klinger
1874
Daniel François Malan, South African clergyman and politician, 5th Prime Minister of South Africa (died 1959) Wikipedia: D. F. Malan
1868
Augusto Pestana, Brazilian engineer and politician (died 1934) Wikipedia: Augusto Pestana (politician)
1864
Willy Stöwer, German author and illustrator (died 1931) Wikipedia: Willy Stöwer
1859
Arthur Conan Doyle, British writer (died 1930) Wikipedia: Arthur Conan Doyle
1859
Tsubouchi Shōyō, Japanese author, playwright, and educator (died 1935) Wikipedia: Tsubouchi Shōyō
1858
Belmiro de Almeida, Brazilian painter, illustrator, sculptor (died 1935) Wikipedia: Belmiro de Almeida
1849
Aston Webb, English architect and academic (died 1930) Wikipedia: Aston Webb
1848
Fritz von Uhde, German painter and educator (died 1911) Wikipedia: Fritz von Uhde
1846
Rita Cetina Gutiérrez, Mexican poet, educator, and activist (died 1908) Wikipedia: Rita Cetina Gutiérrez
1844
Mary Cassatt, American painter and educator (died 1926) Wikipedia: Mary Cassatt
1841
Catulle Mendès, French poet, author, and playwright (died 1909) Wikipedia: Catulle Mendès
1833
Félix Bracquemond, French painter and etcher (died 1914) Wikipedia: Félix Bracquemond
1833
Manuel Ruiz Zorrilla, Spanish politician, Prime Minister of Spain (died 1895) Wikipedia: Manuel Ruiz Zorrilla
1831
Henry Vandyke Carter, English anatomist and surgeon (died 1897) Wikipedia: Henry Vandyke Carter
1828
Albrecht von Graefe, German ophthalmologist and academic (died 1870) Wikipedia: Albrecht von Graefe (ophthalmologist)
1820
Worthington Whittredge, American painter (died 1910) Wikipedia: Worthington Whittredge
1814
Amalia Lindegren, Swedish painter (died 1891) Wikipedia: Amalia Lindegren
1813
Richard Wagner, German composer (died 1883) Wikipedia: Richard Wagner
1811
Giulia Grisi, Italian soprano (died 1869) Wikipedia: Giulia Grisi
1811
Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle, English politician (died 1864) Wikipedia: Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle
1808
Gérard de Nerval, French poet and translator (died 1855) Wikipedia: Gérard de Nerval
1783
William Sturgeon, English physicist and inventor, invented the electromagnet and electric motor (died 1850) Wikipedia: William Sturgeon
1782
Hirose Tansō, Japanese neo-Confucian scholar, teacher, writer (died 1856) Wikipedia: Hirose Tansō
1779
Johann Nepomuk Schödlberger, Austrian painter (died 1853) Wikipedia: Johann Nepomuk Schödlberger
1772
Ram Mohan Roy, Indian philosopher and reformer (died 1833) Wikipedia: Raja Ram Mohan Roy
1770
Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom (died 1840) Wikipedia: Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom
1762
Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst, English politician (died 1834) Wikipedia: Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst
1752
Louis Legendre, French butcher and politician (died 1797) Wikipedia: Louis Legendre
1733
Hubert Robert, French painter (died 1808) Wikipedia: Hubert Robert
1715
François-Joachim de Pierre de Bernis, French cardinal and diplomat (died 1794) Wikipedia: François-Joachim de Pierre de Bernis
1694
Daniel Gran, Austrian painter (died 1757) Wikipedia: Daniel Gran
1665
Magnus Stenbock, Swedish field marshal and Royal Councillor (died 1717) Wikipedia: Magnus Stenbock
1650
Richard Brakenburgh, Dutch Golden Age painter (died 1702) Wikipedia: Richard Brakenburgh
1644
Gabriël Grupello, Flemish Baroque sculptor (died 1730) Wikipedia: Gabriël Grupello
1622
Louis de Buade de Frontenac, French soldier and governor (died 1698) Wikipedia: Louis de Buade de Frontenac
1539
Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford (died 1621) Wikipedia: Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford
1408
Annamacharya, Hindu saint (died 1503) Wikipedia: Annamacharya
1009
Su Xun, Chinese writer (died 1066) Wikipedia: Su Xun
626
Itzam K'an Ahk I, Mayan king (died 686) Wikipedia: Itzam Kʼan Ahk I

Deaths

2026
Richard A. Tapia, American mathematician, National Medal of Science recipient (born 1939) Wikipedia: Richard A. Tapia
2024
David Wilkie, Scottish swimmer (born 1954) Wikipedia: David Wilkie (swimmer)
2022
Dervla Murphy, Irish touring cyclist and author (born 1931) Wikipedia: Dervla Murphy
2020
Denise Cronenberg, Canadian costume designer (born 1938) Wikipedia: Denise Cronenberg
2019
Judith Kerr, German-born British writer and illustrator (born 1923) Wikipedia: Judith Kerr
2017
Nicky Hayden, American motorcycle racer (born 1981) Wikipedia: Nicky Hayden
2016
Velimir "Bata" Živojinović, Serbian actor and politician (born 1933) Wikipedia: Bata Živojinović
2015
Marques Haynes, American basketball player and coach (born 1926) Wikipedia: Marques Haynes
2015
Vladimir Katriuk, Ukrainian-Canadian SS officer (born 1921) Wikipedia: Vladimir Katriuk
2013
Sigurd Ottovich Schmidt, Russian historian and ethnographer (born 1922) Wikipedia: Sigurd Schmidt
2012
Muzafar Bhutto, Pakistani politician (born 1970) Wikipedia: Muzafar Bhutto
2012
Wesley A. Brown, American lieutenant and engineer (born 1927) Wikipedia: Wesley A. Brown
2011
Joseph Brooks, American director, producer, screenwriter, and composer (born 1938) Wikipedia: Joseph Brooks (songwriter)
2010
Martin Gardner, American mathematician, cryptographer, and author (born 1914) Wikipedia: Martin Gardner
2008
Robert Asprin, American soldier and author (born 1946) Wikipedia: Robert Asprin
2007
Pemba Doma Sherpa, Nepalese mountaineer (born 1970) Wikipedia: Pemba Doma Sherpa
2006
Lee Jong-wook, South Korean physician and diplomat (born 1945) Wikipedia: Lee Jong-wook
2005
Charilaos Florakis, Greek politician (born 1914) Wikipedia: Charilaos Florakis
2005
Thurl Ravenscroft, American voice actor and singer (born 1914) Wikipedia: Thurl Ravenscroft
2004
Richard Biggs, American actor (born 1960) Wikipedia: Richard Biggs
2004
Mikhail Voronin, Russian gymnast (born 1945) Wikipedia: Mikhail Voronin
2000
Davie Fulton, Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician (born 1916) Wikipedia: Davie Fulton
1998
John Derek, American actor, director, and photographer (born 1926) Wikipedia: John Derek
1998
José Enrique Moyal, Israeli physicist and engineer (born 1910) Wikipedia: José Enrique Moyal
1997
Alziro Bergonzo, Italian architect and painter (born 1906) Wikipedia: Alziro Bergonzo
1997
Alfred Hershey, American biochemist and geneticist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1908) Wikipedia: Alfred Hershey
1993
Mieczysław Horszowski, Polish-American pianist and composer (born 1892) Wikipedia: Mieczysław Horszowski
1992
Zellig Harris, American linguist and academic (born 1909) Wikipedia: Zellig Harris
1991
Lino Brocka, Filipino director and screenwriter (born 1939) Wikipedia: Lino Brocka
1991
Shripad Amrit Dange, Indian lawyer and politician (born 1899) Wikipedia: Shripad Amrit Dange
1991
Stan Mortensen, English footballer and manager (born 1921) Wikipedia: Stan Mortensen
1990
Rocky Graziano, American boxer (born 1922) Wikipedia: Rocky Graziano
1989
Steven De Groote, South African pianist and educator (born 1953) Wikipedia: Steven De Groote
1988
Giorgio Almirante, Italian journalist and politician (born 1914) Wikipedia: Giorgio Almirante
1985
Wolfgang Reitherman, German-American animator, director, and producer (born 1909) Wikipedia: Wolfgang Reitherman
1984
Karl-August Fagerholm, Finnish politician, valtioneuvos, the Speaker of the Parliament and the Prime Minister of Finland (born 1901) Wikipedia: Karl-August Fagerholm
1983
Albert Claude, Belgian biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1899) Wikipedia: Albert Claude
1983
Erna Scheffler, German lawyer and justice of the Federal Constitutional Court (born 1893) Wikipedia: Erna Scheffler
1982
Cevdet Sunay, Turkish general and politician, 5th President of Turkey (born 1899) Wikipedia: Cevdet Sunay
1975
Lefty Grove, American baseball player (born 1900) Wikipedia: Lefty Grove
1974
Irmgard Flügge-Lotz, German-American mathematician and aerospace engineer (born 1903) Wikipedia: Irmgard Flügge-Lotz
1972
Cecil Day-Lewis, Anglo-Irish poet and author (born 1904) Wikipedia: Cecil Day-Lewis
1972
Margaret Rutherford, English actress (born 1892) Wikipedia: Margaret Rutherford
1967
Langston Hughes, American poet, social activist, novelist, and playwright (born 1902) Wikipedia: Langston Hughes
1967
Charlotte Serber, American Librarian of the Manhattan Project's Los Alamos site (born 1911) Wikipedia: Charlotte Serber
1966
Tom Goddard, English cricketer (born 1900) Wikipedia: Tom Goddard
1965
Christopher Stone, English radio host (born 1882) Wikipedia: Christopher Stone (broadcaster)
1954
Chief Bender, American baseball player, coach, and manager (born 1884) Wikipedia: Chief Bender
1950
Alfonso Quiñónez Molina, Salvadoran politician, physician, and three-time president of El Salvador (born 1874) Wikipedia: Alfonso Quiñónez Molina
1948
Claude McKay, Jamaican writer and poet (born 1889) Wikipedia: Claude McKay
1939
Ernst Toller, German playwright and author (born 1893) Wikipedia: Ernst Toller
1939
Jiří Mahen, Czech author and playwright (born 1882) Wikipedia: Jiří Mahen
1938
William Glackens, American painter and illustrator (born 1870) Wikipedia: William Glackens
1933
Tsengeltiin Jigjidjav, Mongolian politician, 10th Prime Minister of Mongolia (born 1894) Wikipedia: Tsengeltiin Jigjidjav
1932
Augusta, Lady Gregory, Anglo-Irish activist, landlord, and playwright, co-founded the Abbey Theatre (born 1852) Wikipedia: Lady Gregory
1910
Jules Renard, French author and playwright (born 1864) Wikipedia: Jules Renard
1901
Gaetano Bresci, Italian-American anarchist, assassin of Umberto I of Italy (born 1869) Wikipedia: Gaetano Bresci
1885
Victor Hugo, French novelist, poet, and playwright (born 1802) Wikipedia: Victor Hugo
1868
Julius Plücker, German mathematician and physicist (born 1801) Wikipedia: Julius Plücker
1861
Thornsbury Bailey Brown, American soldier (born 1829) Wikipedia: Thornsbury Bailey Brown
1859
Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies (born 1810) Wikipedia: Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies
1851
Mordecai Manuel Noah, American journalist and diplomat (born 1755) Wikipedia: Mordecai Manuel Noah
1802
Martha Washington, First, First Lady of the United States (born 1731) Wikipedia: Martha Washington
1795
Ewald Friedrich von Hertzberg, Prussian politician, Foreign Minister of Prussia (born 1725) Wikipedia: Ewald Friedrich von Hertzberg
1772
Durastante Natalucci, Italian historian and academic (born 1687) Wikipedia: Durastante Natalucci
1760
Baal Shem Tov, Polish rabbi and author (born 1700) Wikipedia: Baal Shem Tov
1745
François-Marie, 1st duc de Broglie, French general (born 1671) Wikipedia: François Marie de Broglie, 1st Duke of Broglie
1667
Pope Alexander VII (born 1599) Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VII
1666
Gaspar Schott, German physicist and mathematician (born 1608) Wikipedia: Gaspar Schott
1609
Pieter Willemsz. Verhoeff, Dutch captain (born 1573) Wikipedia: Pieter Willemsz Verhoeff
1602
Renata of Lorraine (born 1544) Wikipedia: Renata of Lorraine
1553
Giovanni Bernardi, Italian sculptor and engraver (born 1495) Wikipedia: Giovanni Bernardi
1545
Sher Shah Suri, Indian ruler (born 1486) Wikipedia: Sher Shah Suri
1540
Francesco Guicciardini, Italian historian and politician (born 1483) Wikipedia: Francesco Guicciardini
1538
John Forest, English friar and martyr (born 1471) Wikipedia: John Forest
1490
Edmund Grey, 1st Earl of Kent, English administrator, nobleman and magnate (born 1416) Wikipedia: Edmund Grey, 1st Earl of Kent
1457
Rita of Cascia, Italian nun and saint (born 1381) Wikipedia: Rita of Cascia
1455
Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, English commander (born 1406) Wikipedia: Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset
1455
Thomas Clifford, 8th Baron de Clifford, Lancastrian commander (born 1414) Wikipedia: Thomas Clifford, 8th Baron Clifford
1455
Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland, English commander (born 1393) Wikipedia: Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland
1409
Blanche of England, sister of King Henry V (born 1392) Wikipedia: Blanche of England
1310
Saint Humility, founder of the Vallumbrosan religious order of nuns (born c.1226) Wikipedia: Saint Humility
1068
Emperor Go-Reizei of Japan (born 1025) Wikipedia: Emperor Go-Reizei
748
Empress Genshō of Japan (born 683) Wikipedia: Empress Genshō
337
Constantine the Great, Roman emperor (born 272) Wikipedia: Constantine the Great
192
Dong Zhuo, Chinese warlord and politician (born 138) Wikipedia: AD 192

Every day in May

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