What Happened in May?

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. Expand +

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 Argentine Primera Junta is established on May 25, 1810 marking the beginning of Argentina's path to independence from Spain. Formal independence was declared on July 9, 1816.

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 first private mental health hospital in the United States, the Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason, opens its doors to patients in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia on May 15, 1817. The hospital, now known as Friends Hospital, was founded by the Quakers in 1813 

President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, authorizing the grant of lands west of the Mississippi River in exchange for Native American lands east of the river, leading to the forced removal of many Native American communities. One of them was the infamous "Trail of Tears," the forced removal of the  Cherokee Nation causing thousands of deaths. More

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 fulfilling his $30,000 contract with the U.S. government. The text of the first Telegram from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore was "WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT". More

More posts about Morse

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.  Expand +

The United States declares war on Mexico, beginning the Mexican-American War. More

Wisconsin was admitted to the Union of States and becomes the 30th State.

Future President Abraham Lincoln was granted Patent No. 6,469, for a device called "Buoying Vessels Over Shoals". This invention was a method of lifting boats over shallow water, which was inspired by a trip to Niagara Falls where Lincoln witnessed a boat getting stuck.  Expand +

Pro-slavery forces attacked and burned the free-state town of Lawrence, Kansas, in what became known as the "Sacking of Lawrence." More

Minnesota is admitted to the Union and becomes the 32nd State.

Big Ben - The Great Clock starts ticking and the Great Bell's strikes are heard for the first time on July 11.  A brief history of Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower