Historical Events in May — Listed by Year

May stands at the crossroads of exploration, conflict, and discovery. Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo flight across the Atlantic. Allied forces evacuate Dunkirk. Climbers reach the summit of Mount Everest for the first time. Earlier centuries bring the First Council of Nicaea, the founding of Jamestown, and Johannes Kepler’s third law of planetary motion.

Across centuries, events in May reflect periods of rapid change. New ideas emerge, conflicts reshape nations, and discoveries push human understanding forward. These moments span continents and eras, connecting ancient history with the modern world.

Explore the full collection of Today in History events that occurred in May, or jump directly to a specific day—from May 1 through May 31—to see what happened on this day in history.

Browse the timeline to research a specific date or explore the defining events that give May its place in history.