Browse Historical Events by Month: What Happened in May?

Ben Franklin reveals his invention of bifocal eyeglasses in a letter, now in the Library of Congress, to his friend George Whatley. Franklin was having problems seeing both up-close and at greater distances and in the prior year, he created a method for placing differently-calibrated lenses into the same frame rather than constantly changing glasses. His new "double spectacles" had pairs of half-lenses arranged in a top-bottom configuration. Franklin commented that all he had to do was but move his eyes up or down, and the proper glass was always ready! Franklin never patented any of his inventions, and wanted to share them freely. More

The First Fleet, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, sets sail with 11 British ships to establish a penal colony in Australia, Botany Bay. The fleet consisted of two Royal Navy escort ships, six convict transports, and three store ships carrying supplies. Approximately 1,500 people, including convicts, crew, soldiers, and their families, were on board. The First Fleet's journey, took eight months and one week, arriving on January 26, 1788 - marked the beginning of European settlement in Australia.

The Constitutional Convention, a pivotal event in American history, begins in Philadelphia. It had  as its primary goal the creation of a stronger, more unified nation by revising or replacing the Articles of Confederation, which had proven insufficient. The convention, ended on September 17, 1987 and resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution, which established a new federal government and laid the groundwork for the nation's future. More

South Carolina ratifies the Articles of Confederation becoming the 8th State.

Rhode Island ratifies the Articles of Confederation becoming the 13th State.

The first modern written constitution in Europe is adopted by the Great Sejm (Parliament) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The groundbreaking document aimed to strengthen the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth by introducing a constitutional monarchy, addressing political inequalities, and providing for a separation of powers but came as too little and too late. Still, the document became the world's second-oldest codified national constitution (after the US Constitution of 1789) 

American merchant sea captain Robert Gray, enters Grays Harbor (WA State) during his second exploration trip of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Gray is credited to be the first non-Native American to enter the Columbia River and Grays Harbor, both of which he named.

The NY Stock Exchange is born with the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement by 24 stockbrokers defining how stocks could be traded and establishing set commissions.

British Dr. Edward Jenner successfully demonstrates that inoculation with cowpox matter provides immunity against smallpox, marking the beginning of modern vaccination. He famously vaccinated James Phipps, a boy of age 8, with cowpox, and, then later tested his immunity by exposing him to smallpox. James Phipps did not contract smallpox, proving Jenner's discovery. More

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, set out from St. Louis, Missouri traveling up the Missouri River on a mission to explore and map the newly acquired western territory of the United States. The group consisted of around 30 members, including soldiers, interpreters, scouts, and others. They faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather, treacherous terrain, encounters with Native American tribes, and logistical difficulties. The Lewis and Clark Expedition made significant contributions to American knowledge of the West. and it continues to be celebrated as a remarkable feat of discovery and an enduring symbol of the nation's westward expansion. More

Future US President Andrew Jackson fatally shoots Charles Dickinson, American attorney and slave trader in a duel. An expert marksman, Dickinson fired the first shot, wounding Jackson in the chest. Despite this, Jackson managed to shoot and mortally wound Dickinson. Jackson recovered from his physical injuries but the bullet had lodged to close to his heart and could not be safely removed, so Jackson carried the bullet in his chest for the rest of his life. More

The United States declared war on Great Britain, beginning the War of 1812. More

Norway's Constitution Day - Also known as Syttende Mai (May 17), is celebrated annually  to commemorate the signing of Norway's constitution in 1814. This event marked Norway's declaration of independence from Denmark and the beginning of its path toward sovereignty. The day is celebrated with parades, traditional clothing, and festive food. More

Japanese Emperor Kōkaku abdicates in favor of his son, Emperor Ninkō. This event marked a significant moment in Japanese history, as Kōkaku was the first emperor to remain on the throne past the age of 40 in two centuries. After abdicating, Kōkaku became a Daijō Tennō (retired emperor) and lived in the Sento Imperial Palace (Sakura Machi Palace) It is widely believed that the abdication  was a political move in an age of instability and Kokaku continued to be the power behind the throne until his death in 1840.

The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. The Act authorized the president to grant lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders, clearing the way for further white settlements. A few tribes went peacefully, but many resisted the relocation policy. During the fall and winter of 1838 and 1839, the Cherokees were forcibly moved west by the United States government. Approximately 4,000 Cherokees died on this forced march, which became known as the "Trail of Tears." More

The first emigrant wagon train, the Bidwell-Bartleson party, departs Independence, Missouri, on a 1,730-mile journey to California, traveling over the Sierra Nevada mountains. This group, consisting of 70 individuals in 15 wagons, faced starvation and exhaustion along the long trip. They way, ultimately arrived in California almost six months later on November 4, 1841. More

Nakahama Manjirō, a 14-year old fisherman arrives to the United States on May 7 1843 by way of a whaling ship. and is considered the U.S first Japanese immigrant, He was called by some, the "U.S.'s first ambassador to Japan", as he went on to become influential in ending Japan’s centuries of isolation. More

The first major wagon train to the northwest via the Oregon Trail leaves Elm Grove, Missouri. About 1,000 people with more than 100 wagons and 1,000 head of cattle, oxen, horses, trailing behind them. The trip of about 2,000 miles lasted five months. The 1843 wagon train was the first of many to follow until 1884 when the railroad provided easier and faster transportation. More

Samuel Morse, inventor of the Telegraph sent the first official telegraph message, "What hath God wrought?" from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore. More

The Donner Party disaster - A group of American pioneers led by captain, George Donner traveling from the Midwest to California becomes stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during a very harsh winter. Reportedly, the extreme conditions led to cannibalism among those who survived when food ran out. It was the worst disaster of the overland migration to California. Donner Lake and Donner Pass in California, are named for the group. Forty of the 87 who began the trek died from starvation-related causes. The survivors were not rescued until the spring of 1847. More