What Happened on May 1?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 1
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 1, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Spanish–American War
Year:
1898
Spanish–American War: Battle of Manila Bay: The Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy destroys the Pacific Squadron of the Spanish Navy after a seven-hour battle. Spain loses all seven of its ships, and 381 Spanish sailors die. There are no American vessel losses or combat deaths.
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Alhambra Decree
Year:
1492
The Edict of Expulsion is officially proclaimed in Castile, requiring all Jewish residents to leave within three months.
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Naser al-Din Shah Qajar
Year:
1896
Naser al-Din, Shah of Iran, is assassinated in Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine by Mirza Reza Kermani, a follower of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani.
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Coxey's Army
Year:
1894
Coxey's Army, the first significant American protest march, arrives in Washington, D.C.
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Haymarket affair
Year:
1886
Rallies are held throughout the United States demanding the eight-hour work day, culminating in the Haymarket affair in Chicago, in commemoration of which May 1 is celebrated as International Workers' Day in many countries.
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RMS Lusitania
Year:
1915
RMS Lusitania departs from New York City on her 202nd, and final, crossing of the North Atlantic. Six days later, the ship is torpedoed off the coast of Ireland with the loss of 1,198 lives.
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Munich
Year:
1919
German troops enter Munich to suppress the Bavarian Soviet Republic.
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Pluto
Year:
1930
"Pluto" is officially proposed for the name of the newly discovered dwarf planet by Vesto Slipher in the Lowell Observatory Observation Circular. The name quickly catches on.
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BIRTHS ON MAY 1
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 1, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Antal Szerb
Year of birth:
1901
Antal Szerb, Hungarian scholar and author (died 1945)
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Ignazio Silone
Year of birth:
1900
Ignazio Silone, Italian journalist and politician (died 1978)
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Aleksander Wat
Year of birth:
1900
Aleksander Wat, Polish poet and writer (died 1967)
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Alfred Schmidt (weightlifter)
Year of birth:
1898
Alfred Schmidt, Estonian weightlifter (died 1972)
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Sterling Allen Brown
Year of birth:
1901
Sterling Allen Brown, American poet, academic, and critic (died 1989)
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Henry Koster
Year of birth:
1905
Henry Koster, German-American director, producer, and screenwriter (died 1988)
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Endel Puusepp
Year of birth:
1909
Endel Puusepp, Estonian-Soviet military pilot and politician (died 1996)
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Giovannino Guareschi
Year of birth:
1908
Giovannino Guareschi, Italian journalist and author (died 1968)
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DEATHS ON MAY 1
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 1, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Magda Goebbels
Year of death:
1945
Magda Goebbels, German wife of Joseph Goebbels (born 1901)
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Joseph Goebbels
Year of death:
1945
Joseph Goebbels, German lawyer and politician, Chancellor of Germany (born 1897)
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Everett Shinn
Year of death:
1953
Everett Shinn, American painter and illustrator (born 1876)
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William Thomson Sloper
Year of death:
1955
William Thomson Sloper, American stockbroker and survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic (born 1883)
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Napoleon Soukatzidis
Year of death:
1944
Napoleon Soukatzidis, Greek communist and trade unionist (born 1909)
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Johan Oscar Smith
Year of death:
1943
Johan Oscar Smith, Norwegian religious leader, founded the Brunstad Christian Church (born 1871)
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John Barclay Armstrong
Year of death:
1913
John Barclay Armstrong, American lieutenant (born 1850)
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Princess Margaret of Connaught
Year of death:
1920
Princess Margaret of Connaught (born 1882)
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HOLIDAYS ON MAY 1
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 1 around the world.
Hesychius of Cazorla
Christian feast day: Seven Apostolic Men Hesychius of Cazorla
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Secundus of Abula
Christian feast day: Seven Apostolic Men Secundus of Abula
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Torquatus of Acci
Christian feast day: Seven Apostolic Men Torquatus of Acci
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Euphrasius of Illiturgis
Christian feast day: Seven Apostolic Men Euphrasius of Illiturgis
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Seven Apostolic Men
Christian feast day: Seven Apostolic Men Ctesiphon of Vergium
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Philip the Apostle
Christian feast day: Philip the Apostle (Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church)
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Caecilius of Elvira
Christian feast day: Seven Apostolic Men Caecilius of Elvira
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Sigismund of Burgundy
Christian feast day: Sigismund of Burgundy
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